From Employee to Entrepreneur – How Michael Dillard Transformed into a Fulltime Government Contractor?

There are numerous reasons why people might feel compelled to leave their 9-to-5 jobs, such as a negative work environment, poor management, lack of recognition, and low wages. However, these factors often pale in comparison to the fear of losing the ability to pay monthly bills. This financial insecurity is why many people continue to stick with their jobs, even when they experience significant dissatisfaction.

To confidently leave their 9-to-5 job, many people develop side hustles to create a safety net before making the decision. This is the story of Michael Dillard, the owner of Massive Kinetiks Contracting.

He reached that point due to government contracting, which helped him create a business big enough to transform into a full-time contractor without losing the ability to provide for his family.

First, let’s learn about the driving force that made him want to leave his day job and his journey to bootstrap his business.

Michael Dillard – “Job security is an illusion at best.”

Michael is a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer who worked as a submarine mechanic. After retiring, he earned a graduate degree and landed a job at a major electrical contracting company in Hawaii. He excelled—top 1% globally for seven years straight—winning awards and traveling often.

“It was just so great, and I couldn’t complain,” he recalled.

In 2016, while looking for maintenance opportunities, Michael Dillard visited the VA center in Honolulu to find the maintenance manager. During his visit, a worker asked if he was a veteran and disabled. Upon confirming, the worker informed him about a recent Supreme Court ruling that required the VA to give preferential treatment to veteran-owned small businesses for government contracts.

The worker suggested that Michael start a government contract and maintenance company, as he could potentially win many contracts due to this preferential treatment. However, he was doing good at the time, so Michael initially tucked this information away.

Everything took a turn for Michael when he witnessed the company owner publicly embarrass, shame, and fire an HR manager who had been with the company for nearly 15 years. She was doing her job, warning the owner about legal liabilities, but he dismissed her concerns and fired her on the spot after a heated exchange.

Michael said, “I knew the history, so I know that woman had been at his company almost maybe like 15 years. She was a great employee and he fired her. And so, what started happening to me, I know this is kind of a long roundabout way, but what happened to me was I started experiencing panic attacks.”

This incident deeply affected Michael, leading to a realization about the precarious nature of job security. Michael struggled with the concept that he could be fired at any moment, even if he was performing well.

He claimed, “Oh, you know what? Job security is an illusion at best.”

He realized that if he lost his job, he would no longer be able to support his family or pay his bills—yet he could be fired at any moment. That unsettling truth pushed him to take control of his future by starting his own company in.

From Coaching to Government Contracting

In 2017, Michael decided to leverage his skills as a Master Training Specialist from his Navy experience to offer training services as a side hustle while still maintaining his 9-to-5 job.

By 2018, he officially started his company, Ion Reliability Training and Consulting. However, the pandemic in 2020 severely impacted his business, as in-person training was no longer feasible, and he wasn’t set up for online courses. His company struggled, and his salary was cut in half, prompting him to seek new ways to generate income.

“I couldn’t train anymore because no one would let you come into their space to do the training. I wasn’t set up with online courses, so basically my company was just dead in the water. I got to figure out how to make money now,” he recalled.

From there, Michael chose to elevate his expertise by enrolling in a professional course. He joined a coaching academy to learn the fundamentals and soon began connecting with key industry leaders. Through mentorship and guidance, Michael uncovered the vast potential of government contracting and began charting a new path forward.

Michael’s Philosophy – Riding the Giant’s Coattail

In 2021, Michael Dillard took his first steps into pursuing government contract opportunities. Although he submitted several bids and had strong relationships with Contracting Officers, he initially faced challenges and failed to secure any awards. It quickly became clear to him just how unpredictable and competitive the government contracting space could be.

He faced more setbacks trying to land state contracts—none of those panned out either. It was a series of highs and lows. But after several conversations and some deep reflection, he had a breakthrough that he could become a subcontractor (a second tier contractor).

“Over time, we had different talks, and I realized that I wasn’t trying to be a prime contractor or a general contractor (GC). I needed to hit up these people who already had contracts and were looking for somebody like me,” said Michael.

That’s when he started pitching to general contractors and began landing second-tier contracts. These initial contracts provided valuable experience and income, helping him get his foot in the door.

Initially operating under a DBA—I Am Global—Michael eventually transitioned to winning contracts under Ion Reliability. However, he soon felt that Ion Reliability didn’t fully reflect his capabilities, given his extensive mechanical background from the Navy. This led him to shut down Ion Reliability and start fresh with Massive Kinetics Contracting (MK).

With MK, Michael could offer a broader range of services, including mechanical, electrical, training, and eventually AI, IT staffing, and more. Since launching in November 2022, MK quickly started winning work, including a second-tier contract for NOAA on Ford Island involving medium voltage and switching work.

From Second Tier to First Tier – Got Awarded a Prime Contract without Bidding

Michael explains that while second-tier contracts are valuable, they often involve competitive pricing and lower profits. The strategy sometimes involves bidding low to get a foot in the door and establish reliability. Once a subcontractor proves their reliability, they can start receiving calls for work without having to chase bids.

“They need reliable people, and you know, you want to show them that you’re the reliable person. And they will just start calling you. Because as nice as it is to say like, ‘Oh, I won this bid and that,’ you want people to actually call you so you don’t have to go on the bid,” Michael explained.

And that was how he got his first prime contract. This first-tier contract that he won with the Department of Homeland Security was particularly significant because he didn’t have to bid for it—they reached out to him based on a recommendation.

Michael remembered, “The one I just won with Department of Homeland Security—I didn’t even have to bid that, they called me. They reached out to me. They actually reached out to somebody else, and that company said, ‘No, we don’t do that—you need to talk to Michael Dillard, he is the guy that does that.’ Then they called me, and that’s how I got that.”

Although the contract wasn’t finalized at the time, it was incredibly meaningful to Michael because it aligned perfectly with his goal to expand into Guam.

Confidently Left His 9-to-5 Job

A key part of his journey has been finding the balance between managing his 9-to-5 job while simultaneously growing his own business on the side.

He couldn’t let his sales or performance at the day job drop, so he had to work even harder to maintain that job’s requirements while secretly building his own company. He didn’t want to openly show that he was spending time focusing on his business, so he kept it under the radar and just talked to a few people about it.

Over time, he successfully built up his company, and by the end of the year, it became big enough for him to leave his 9-to-5 job behind. He finally had the freedom to fully commit to his business, MK, and is now excited about focusing on it full time.

“So, at the end of last year, I just quit my 9-to-5,” said Michael.

The Winning Mindset of Michael Dillard

He reached a point where he could confidently leave his 9-to-5 job, but this wasn’t a journey driven by miracles alone. It was his mindset that enabled him to create these “miracles.” And within that mindset, there are valuable lessons we can all learn from.

You Don’t Need a Website to Do Government Contract, but It’s Good for Your Credibility

According to Michael Dillard, while having a website isn’t required to start pursuing government contracts, it can help enhance your credibility in certain cases. Recalled on his journey, Michael said that When NAVFAC searched for training providers in Hawaii, his website came up at the top, and that led to the agency reaching out and giving him the job.

He stated, “If you’re just getting started, I mean, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a website. I’m not saying you need a website to do government contracting; we all know you don’t. But it does help with your credibility.”

It Doesn’t Matter How Big the Contract is – a Win is Still a Win

As shared by Michael, some of his first wins ranged from $2,500 to $3,000, but he said that small contracts can be crucial in building a reputation and establishing credibility in government contracting.

Successfully completing smaller projects allows contractors to showcase their reliability and expertise. This proven track record is crucial as it demonstrates their ability to meet requirements and deliver high-quality work. As a result, contractors become more attractive candidates for larger contracts in the future.

Dillard underscores that every win counts. Whether it’s a small project or a major one, each success contributes to a broader narrative of competence and trustworthiness, which is essential for long-term growth in the industry.

“I stop using big and small because a win is a win,” he insisted.

His message is that emotions can sometimes mislead you into thinking you’re failing when, in reality, you’re making progress. He advises shifting your perspective on what counts as a “win” — even small steps like making calls or sending emails can be seen as victories.

“Never give up, it’s your time to shine”

Michael Dillard often signed off his LinkedIn posts with a motivational message: “Never give up, it’s your time to shine. You’ve got this.” This mantra wasn’t just a catchy phrase; it was the hallmark of his journey and the key to his success.

To Michael, It’s about the power of perseverance and mindset in overcoming challenges. Despite the external and personal obstacles, he believes that staying focused, positive, and consistent is key to achieving success.

“There’s all types of stuff that is also occurring simultaneously, and you’ve got to learn to juggle and balance all that stuff, stay focused, stay positive, keep your eye on the prize, and not give up,” he encouraged the other people.

Michael knew that consistency was key. The more you keep going, step after step, the more momentum you build. If you stop, the momentum dies down. He had to keep pushing, even when it felt impossible. No one was going to give him a free pass because he had a family and other responsibilities. He had to decide first that he was going to do it. Once he made that decision, everything started to fall into place.

“Then once you make the decision, then you’ll be able to figure out, it’ll all kind of come up real quick,” said Michael.

Don’t Let the Paperwork Myth Stop You – It’s Easier than You Think!

Michael often heard people express concerns about the mountain of paperwork involved in government contracting. However, Dillard emphasizes that while the paperwork can seem tedious, it’s actually manageable with the right method.

He highlights that the key is to put in the work upfront. The initial step involves identifying the necessary documents and creating a system—like a checklist—to keep track of everything that needs to be done. Drawing on his experience in the Navy, where checklists are essential, Dillard applied that same methodical approach to government contracting.

“I just made a checklist and went down the list,” he articulated.

If you’re missing any information or documents in your submission, the Contracting Officer (CO) will typically notify you and provide guidance on what is needed. The CO’s job is to ensure that all requirements are met and will often give you the opportunity to correct any issues or provide the missing information.

He reassures others that once you get through the process, it’s not as difficult as it first seems. In fact, the paperwork may end up being less of an obstacle than anticipated, and the effort can pay off in securing government contracts.

Find a Coach!

Michael often spoke about the pivotal role a great coach or mentor played in his journey into government contracting. However, as shared by him that while having a coach is invaluable, the individual must do the work themselves. A coach can provide guidance, but it’s up to you to take action and follow through on the advice given.

He also mentions that it’s important to listen to your mentor. Sometimes, you may not agree with every piece of advice, but a great coach will stand their ground to protect you from making costly mistakes.

They’ll challenge your assumptions and help you stay on track. Even if you don’t always agree with their advice, listening and trusting their experience can save you from learning lessons the hard way.

“So, when you have a coach, listen to your coach,” he said.

In addition, Michael advises that before paying for mentorship or services, do your due diligence and ensure you’re not paying for something you can figure out on your own.