By: Elena Mart
In the intricate world of government contracting, where complexity often reigns supreme, Jessica Herbert stands out for an unusual superpower: she knows the technical side exceptionally well, often rivaling many developers. However, it’s not this technical prowess alone that makes her remarkable. It’s how she’s leveraging this expertise to help reshape the industry’s approach to business processes and systems.
As the founder and driving force behind Herbert Insights & Innovations (HI&I), Jessica is challenging and rethinking traditional consulting models by making the complex more accessible and turning expertise into empowerment. “We believe in ‘oversharing’ in the best way possible,” she says, describing her company’s philosophy of openly sharing skills, knowledge, and lessons learned to empower both clients and employees alike.
This approach represents a notable shift from the traditional consulting world, where knowledge is often closely guarded and doled out sparingly. But for Jessica, whose background spans accounting, finance, and business process improvement, this transparency isn’t just a philosophy—it’s a strategy that has shown promise in driving success.
Simplifying Complexity
Jessica’s journey to redefining government contracting systems began long before HI&I’s launch in 2024. With over two decades of experience in the government contracting space, she developed a reputation for aligning business operations with best practices and bringing clarity to complex challenges. Her time as an adjunct faculty member further honed her ability to translate intricate financial and operational topics into actionable insights.
Jessica’s personal approach is hands-on, detail-oriented, and results-driven. She thrives in environments where she can bring clarity and efficiency to complex business challenges.
This clarity-first approach has proven effective for HI&I’s clients. While many firms offer either process improvement or automation, HI&I stands apart by combining both data analytics and Lean Six Sigma methods. This integrated approach allows them to not just identify improvements but implement them in ways that tend to have lasting impacts.
The Human Side of Automation
What truly sets Jessica’s vision apart is her insistence on keeping humans at the center of technological advancement. In an era where AI and automation dominate business headlines, HI&I focuses on what Jessica calls “human-centered automation”—ensuring that technology serves people, not the other way around.
This philosophy manifests in their approach to business process improvement. Rather than pushing standardized solutions, HI&I begins by understanding the human elements of each process. They look at how people interact with systems, where decisions need human insight, and how automation can support rather than replace human judgment.
“We listen to discover the root cause of any issues or problems our clients are having,” Jessica explains. “We believe that feedback is a gift.”
A Partnership Built on Trust
The story of HI&I’s founding reveals much about Jessica’s leadership style. When launching the company, she made the strategic decision to trust her husband and co-founder, Marty, with running operations for the first year while she fulfilled a prior commitment with an employer. This decision, rooted in professional integrity and strategic thinking, laid the groundwork for the company’s steady growth.
And grow it has. In its first year alone, HI&I surpassed $350,000 in revenue, expanded to four subcontractors, and is on track to reach $1 million in revenue by 2025. But perhaps more telling than these numbers is how they’ve achieved this growth: through relationships and results rather than aggressive marketing
Jessica’s innovative approach extends beyond client services to how HI&I operates internally. The company is experimenting with a four-day workweek, emphasizing work-life balance while maintaining high-performance standards. This initiative reflects their broader mission of proving that even in the traditional government contracting space, there’s room for innovation in how we work.
“Our impact is felt by our employees who experience a different way of working,” Jessica says, describing their approach to professional services that empowers consultants, mentors, associates, and coaches managers to continuously improve.
Looking Forward
As HI&I continues to grow, Jessica’s vision for the future remains focused on making complexity simpler. The company is developing a modular, workflow-based back office system using Nutrient Workflow Automation aimed at enabling human-centered automation across core accounting functions.
Their growth projections—including anticipated revenue of $3 million by 2027—suggest that the market is increasingly receptive to this innovative approach to government contracting systems. But for Jessica, success isn’t just about numbers. It’s about proving that expertise doesn’t have to be exclusive, that automation can be human-centered, and that even the most complex systems can be made more accessible.
In an industry often characterized by its complexity, Jessica Herbert is showing that there’s power in simplicity. Through HI&I, she’s not just consulting—she’s helping to transform how government contractors approach their systems and processes, one human-centered solution at a time.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute business, financial, or professional advice. Readers are encouraged to seek professional advice for specific business or contracting decisions.
Published by Mark V.
