When Army veteran Dennis Guy returned to the Mt. Oliver neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he felt a renewed call to serve—this time through storytelling. When his local fire department faced permanent closure due to a lack of volunteers, Dennis stepped in. Leveraging his background in video production and marketing, he created a compelling recruitment campaign that brought in new volunteers and kept the department’s doors open.
That successful campaign didn’t just help his community—it sparked a business idea. Dennis and his wife, Samantha, launched First Sip Studios, a multimedia marketing agency dedicated to helping startups, nonprofits, and local communities share their stories with impact.
Today, First Sip Studios serves hundreds of clients, produces thousands of deliverables annually, and has built a reputation for meaningful community impact. But this growth didn’t happen by chance—it was driven by strategic decision-making, federal certifications, and SBA resources tailored to veteran-owned businesses.
Government Contracting as a Growth Strategy
Dennis understood that government agencies needed effective communication strategies—and that his team could deliver. Through his local Small Business Development Center (SBDC), he learned how SBA certifications could unlock access to government contracts and new revenue streams.
“By getting certified, we were able to serve more communities—and grow a sustainable business doing what we love,” said Dennis.
Using SBA resources, First Sip Studios became a certified veteran-owned business. This positioned them to win contracts with cities like Pittsburgh and Columbus, Ohio, as well as several small towns across western Pennsylvania.
Tip: A federal Veteran-Owned Small Business certification can help your business compete for exclusive government contracts and set-aside opportunities.
Why Certification Matters
Each year, the federal government reserves a portion of contracting dollars specifically for veteran-owned small businesses. To access these opportunities, businesses must obtain certification through SBA’s official platform, MySBA Certifications.
Benefits of Certification Include:
- Access to sole-source and competitive set-aside contracts
- Expert guidance from federal procurement specialists
- Tailored business development support through SBA resource partners
- Your business must qualify as a small business under SBA size standards
- At least 51% of the business must be owned and controlled by one or more veterans
- For SDVOSB certification, one or more owners must be service-disabled veterans as designated by the VA
Tip: If you're unsure whether you qualify, connect with your local Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC). VBOC counselors provide free, personalized guidance on certification requirements and next steps.
Certification in Action: The First Sip Studios Model
Thanks to their certification and the support of SBA resources, the Guys have built a robust and resilient business. Their Share Your Purpose program teaches clients how to clarify goals, communicate with impact, and use storytelling as a strategic tool. This initiative, paired with their multimedia expertise, has helped thousands of organizations amplify their voices and serve their communities more effectively.
Through it all, Dennis and Samantha have used SBA resources to pivot, scale, and unlock new business opportunities—demonstrating the real-world impact of certification and support.
Ready to Grow Your #VetBiz?
Explore certification resources and support services at sba.gov/vetcert.
This blog was written by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD). For updates, resources, and inspiration, follow SBA OVBD on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.
For additional resources, updates, and inspiration, follow the SBA Office of Veterans Business Development on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.