TK3

When Kayla Aquirre, owner of TK3 LLC, first reached out to the Wyoming Apex Accelerator in February 2023, she had a vision: to grow her Cody based construction and maintenance company by expanding into government contracting. What began as a simple step, getting help with System for Award Management (SAM) registration, quickly became a journey of learning, partnership, and steady growth.

Support That Opens Doors

As a woman-owned small business, TK3 partnered with the Wyoming Apex Accelerator to navigate the complexities of registrations, refine their capability statement, and better understand the federal procurement process. They also worked closely with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Rob Condie, the SBDC Region 1 Director and QuickBooks expert, whom Kayla calls “a life saver” for his practical financial and business support.

At TK3, Kayla leads with vision and determination; she runs the company’s operations and long-term strategy; while her husband, Tony, contributes his deep construction and field expertise. Together, they combine business insight with technical know-how to create a strong and balanced foundation for success.

From First Contract to Expanding Opportunities

With support from the Apex team and its partners, TK3 earned their first federal contract, an erosion control project worth $1.68 million in the Bridger-Teton National Forest that required clearing and straightening a road. Their performance impressed the U.S. Forest Service, who later recommended them to the State of Wyoming, leading to another ongoing contract. 

Kayla believes strong relationships are at the center of every success story. “Do good work, deliver on your promises, and build connections. That’s where real opportunity comes from.” It’s not just about being in SAM, she points out, and building those relationships is exactly what TK3 did working with US Forest Service Contracting Officer, Mathew Sutton.  “As a contracting professional I know it’s rare to have a project go smoothly, and I can say confidently that working with this team on several projects, everyone has been successful with commendations from all stakeholders.”  Since their first contract, they’ve finished several jobs in the Big Horn and Shoshone National Forests.  

In 2024, TK3 reached a major milestone, achieving SBA Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification. That recognition helped the company compete on an even broader scale and ultimately secure a MATOC (Multiple Award Task Order Contract), a long-term government contract that preselects several trusted contractors to compete for future projects. For TK3, being awarded a MATOC means a consistent pipeline of opportunities and a strong vote of confidence in their quality and reliability.

“Government contracting has been an amazing experience,” Kayla says. “Unlike private enterprise, the government pays and pays quickly. It’s reliable work that lets us focus on delivering great results.”

Faith, Risk, and Relationships

Looking back, Kayla says TK3’s growth came from a mix of hard work, courage, and faith.

“In this business, it really comes down to how much risk you’re willing to take and how dedicated you are to seeing it through,” she explains. “Sometimes the projects you think you want aren’t the ones meant for you, and something even better comes along. It takes patience, humility, and faith that things will work out.”

Advice for Other Entrepreneurs

Kayla encourages other Wyoming business owners exploring the government marketplace to:

Ask for a debriefing whenever you don’t win a contract. “That feedback is invaluable.”

Avoid relying on AI tools to write proposals. “Authenticity and your unique story matter.”

Take advantage of Apex Accelerator training, especially on proposal writing and government processes.

A Wyoming Success Story

From their first SAM registration to multiple contracts and a MATOC award, TK3 LLC has proven that persistence, relationships, and community support lead to long-term success.

With help from the Wyoming Apex Accelerator, SBA, and SBDC, TK3’s story shows how Wyoming’s small businesses, and in this case, a woman-led enterprise, can compete and win in the government marketplace, building community and Wyoming’s economy. 

To learn how your business can follow in their footsteps, visit: Government Contracting - Wyoming APEX Accelerator | Wyoming SBDC Network