Palmer Construction & Marine Company

When Kayla Palmer founded Palmer Construction & Marine Company in 2021, she had a clear vision for building a successful heavy civil contracting business. As a Cherokee and women-owned company specializing in road, bridge, marine, and large infrastructure projects, the firm was positioned to compete in a growing market. However, like many new businesses, the company faced significant challenges before it could reach its full potential.

Palmer launched the business while still a senior in college, but early obstacles slowed the company’s path to growth. Early on the company had to undergo a series of changes, including a business name change, account restructuring, and obtaining additional certifications and compliance documentation. Navigating those requirements delayed the company’s ability to fully engage in government contracting and postponed its operational growth.

“We had several hurdles to overcome before we could really begin pursuing the opportunities we were targeting,” Palmer said.

While tackling those challenges, Palmer made the decision to leave her position at a law firm and commit to the business full-time. At the same time, the company was working on a major project rehabilitating a fleet of barges while building operations from the ground up.

Like many startup businesses, Palmer Construction & Marine faced cash flow constraints and a need for working capital.

“We were bootstrapping the business and trying to build something from nothing,” Palmer said. “We needed financing to help us continue growing and pursue larger opportunities.”

After meeting with an APEX Accelerator advisor, Palmer was referred to Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Business Advisor Dana Brashear. The introduction marked the beginning of a partnership that would help the company navigate both financial and operational challenges.

One of Palmer’s first objectives was securing capital to support growth. Oklahoma SBDC connected her with financing resources and guided her through the loan application process. More importantly, her advisor helped Palmer develop the financial documentation needed to qualify for funding, including business plans, financial statements, and revenue projections.

At the time, Palmer had little experience creating the detailed financial forecasts required by lenders.

“I didn’t know how to put together a business plan or create long-term projections,” Palmer said. “[My advisor,] Dana walked me through the process and helped me understand what lenders needed to see.”

The assistance ultimately helped Palmer secure financing that enabled the company to obtain its first bonded project—an important milestone for a growing construction firm.

As the business expanded, Kayla’s SBDC advisor continued providing guidance in several key areas. She assisted with SBA financing applications and lines of credit, reviewed quality control plans, helped evaluate SAM registration requirements for federal contracting, and offered guidance on cybersecurity readiness and contract compliance.

Over time, Oklahoma SBDC’s support became an important resource as Palmer navigated the complexities of operating in the construction and government contracting sectors.

“Whether it was a major financing question or a simple operational issue, Dana always had an answer or could point me in the right direction,” Palmer said. “Having someone with that knowledge and experience made a tremendous difference.”

Today, Palmer Construction & Marine has successfully transitioned from startup mode into a growing infrastructure contractor. Palmer credits much of the company’s progress to the guidance and support she received from Oklahoma SBDC during critical stages of development.

“I did not expect us to be where we are today as we reached our third year of operations,” Palmer said. “Oklahoma SBDC played a major role in helping us get here.”

Now, Palmer encourages other entrepreneurs to take advantage of the resources available.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” she said. “The advisors genuinely want businesses to succeed. Their expertise can help you overcome obstacles, avoid costly mistakes, and move your company forward.”

For Palmer Construction & Marine, what began as a startup facing financing challenges has grown into a company successfully pursuing large-scale infrastructure projects. With determination, strategic planning, and the support of Oklahoma SBDC, Palmer has built a strong foundation for continued growth and long-term success.