Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) provides consulting, training and services to help Nebraska entrepreneurs build and grow successful businesses. The Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) helps businesses seeking to compete successfully in federal, state, and local government contracting. Tara Clawson is a Graduate Assistant for NBDC, where she works for PTAC.
Tell us a little about your business. – We help businesses sell their goods and services to the government through free consulting.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Interning at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. It was an awesome experience where I got to work with highly intelligent scholars as well as help setup and attend events with prime ministers and ambassadors from a number of countries around the world.
Tell me a little about your family. – I have an incredible and very sweet husband, PJ, who puts up with my high energy and tendency to overcommit. He supports me through all my endeavors and encourages me to do what I love. I am also very close to my mom, dad, and brother.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Working for my parent’s independent insurance agency. For the first time in my life I really had a grasp of what it is my parents do. I also developed a sense of ownership and passion for the business I hadn’t had before. Working in a family business is both challenging and rewarding in many ways.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Bible study with my girlfriends. There is nothing better than the Bible, good friends, chai tea, and muffins. My husband and I also love to play cards and board games with our friends. We’re a little obsessed. We love Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Pinochle.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I love to cook and bake. I say I cook for my husband, but part of it is for my own fulfillment. I love the colors, smells, and of course taste of a good home cooked meal.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – You can accomplish what you set your mind to. My parents told me this throughout my childhood and it helped shape me into the driven and motivated person I am today. I also distinctly remember being told that Abraham Lincoln ran for the presidency a number of times before he was actually elected, I believe it was eight times. As overused as Abe Lincoln’s story might be, it really helps me when I’m struggling to achieve something I really want to accomplish.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Compassionate. I love people and know that life is not as much about accomplishing goals as it is about the people along the way.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – I love that song from the movie Matilda, “Send Me On My Way” by Rusted Root. I can’t hear it and not smile.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Blue Sushi
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – By email or phone which can be found on the NBDC website: http://www.nbdc.unomaha.edu/.