Milligan Group

by PIDC
August 24, 2021

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Milligan Group LLC provides a full range of electrical construction, voice, data, and fiber optics telecommunications infrastructure as well as video surveillance solutions so that businesses’ infrastructure needs are met for this ever-changing industry.  It is a certified MBE, WBE, and DBE firm and a signatory of the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) local union providing installations and service. Their journeymen electricians and BICSI (Building Industry Consulting Service International) certified industry technicians provide structured wiring solutions to meet the needs of every client with experience in virtually every working environment, including commercial, education, medical, and retail.

After contemplating going into business for years, Kariema Milligan, president of Milligan Group, and her husband started the business on a leap of faith in 2009. In 2020, Kariema sought PIDC’s help to fund payroll and other working capital requirements of the business with a Working Capital & Equipment Loan.  

Milligan Group is also a recent recipient of Comcast Rise, an initiative which aims to support more than 13,000 BIPOC-owned small businesses with monetary grants; a TV campaign, production of a TV commercial or consulting services from Effectv; or computer equipment, internet, voice or cybersecurity from Comcast Business.

In March 2021, the Milligan Group was featured in the Philadelphia Business Journal, along with other firms, as they shared the difficulties of minority firms accessing capital. PIDC, and many other organizations, are working to change this by making resources more accessible to small, minority, women, and disabled-owned businesses. Check out our interview with Kariema as we discuss the effects of this support. 

We found out that you first heard about PIDC from attending PIDC’s Business Builder Workshops. Can you tell us about that experience?

I’ve had the privilege of attending multiple workshops — some more than once — over the years that have strengthened, not only my business knowledge base, but also my personal resolve as PIDC was instrumental in helping me to understand that the two are not mutually exclusive. In the past, I used to focus on and take great care of my business while putting myself last. PIDC taught me how imperative it is to take care of both as it is the only way to be able to grow the business effectively.

How has PIDC supported your business since then? 

PIDC was instrumental in helping Milligan Group survive during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic which, up to that point, was everything. The accurate resources constantly shared by PIDC’s Marla Hamilton, along with the assuring hope that all would be well again (even if different), was a stress reliever that was priceless. It was that level of assistance that allowed us to maintain revenue through a very tough period.

Milligan Group was recently also awarded by Comcast Rise.  That’s great news! How has Comcast Rise been helpful to your business during this time?

Comcast Rise Ureeka Program has been an ongoing source of business community inspiration and education that will help Milligan Group grow to the next level. With professional coaching on all aspects of business, including exercises that help you understand your audience as well as how to market to that audience specifically will change the game.  

It has certainly been a challenging period for business owners. What is the most rewarding part of your job that motivates you through difficult times?

There are many rewarding factors in my job, but the common denominator is the fact that we solve problems and make life just a little better in some way, shape, or form for our clients.  Knowing that our clients depend on us enough to call upon us year after year is beyond rewarding.

Grow your business with financing from PIDC.

Also, register for our upcoming Business Builder Workshops taught by subject-matter experts.

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