For Jenny Ahmed, the stress of running her husband's car service was difficult, especially not knowing how to grow the business and bring in bigger accounts, like city contracts.

Thanks to the city's Compete to Win program, a service created to assist women- and minority-owned businesses learn how to compete for city contracts, her business landed the contract for car service at the Barclay's Center.

The service offers tutoring workshops and mentors to help business owners set appropriate goals when bidding.

Since 2005, the city has handed out more than $2.5 billion in contracts to businesses owned by women and minorities.