Drop and Give Me 20

This segment is the second of a 5 part series dedicated to our active duty service members transitioning out of the service and starting their entrepreneurial journey.  In this episode, Lindsey Germono interviews Kevin Bemel of The Bemel Company. Learn about Kevin’s 5-Step process catered to veterans to help them land a high paying job or start a business!

Important topics they discuss:

• [1:30] All about Kevin and what led him to this venture
• [3:40] Started an entrepreneurship bootcamp for veterans
• [6:43] The so-called military-civilian divide
• [9:04] Teaching veterans to ‘fish’
• [9:59] The 5 Step Process
• [15:16] Getting your part of the American Dream
• [17:29] Getting the most of this process
• [19:06] Definition of a job board
• [22:05] Major struggles veterans face using this process
• [24:27] View on civilian care and support to veterans
• [26:24] The issue of entitlement

Quote: "This is the heart of any entrepreneurial venture, 'How can I add value to other people’s lives?'" - Kevin Bemel Social:

Bemel LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Facebook Group Facebook Group - Drop and Give Me 20

This segment is the first of a 5 part series dedicated to our active duty service members transitioning out of the service and starting their entrepreneurial journey. Lindsey Germono interviews motivational speaker, Frank Shankwitz, Air Force veteran and founder of Make-A-Wish Foundation. Listen as Frank shares his life experiences, values and ethics that’ll definitely set you on the right track to running a successful organization.

Important topics they discuss:

• [1:19] Frank’s experience serving the Air Force
• [2:55] Franks career with Arizona Highway Patrol as a homicide detective
• [03:05] The story behind Make-A-Wish Foundation
• [04:50] Sharing how the Make-A-Wish foundation was first initiated
• [10:40] Insights on starting a business
• [12:45] Frank’s advice: Stickability
• [13:55] Making the best of your situation
• [18:00] Why it’s important as a business to get involved in causes
• [20:20] Discussing his movie, “Wishman”
• [21:00] “Wishman” the book

Quote:

"They say to surround yourself with experts, people that are smarter than you and I knew to do that. And that’s what we did and that’s the people that made it grow to what it is today.” - Frank Shankwitz Social:

Make a Wish Foundation Frank’s Website Wishman Movie Wishman Book by Frank Shankwitz and Kitty Shankwitz

In this episode of Drop and Give Me 20, Lindsey Germono speaks with Cameron Cruse, co-founder of R. Riveter.

Important topics they discuss:

•  Creating a company that provides military spouses with employment they can take with them when PCS'ing.
•  The Shark tank experience and partnering with Mark Cuban
• "I think Shark Tank was one of the more terrifying things that we had done just because it forced us to look at who we are, what we're trying to do with this company, and how do we best support our military spouses."
• As military spouses, so many times we're pulling that double duty- we have so much going on in our lives.
• We started with the why- this is the glue.
• Benefits of having a partner in business.
• The future of R. Riveter.

Quote:

"Understand where you want to be and where you are and don't be afraid of the in between." -Cameron Cruse

Social: Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Website

In this episode of Drop and Give Me 20, Lindsey Germono speaks with Jessica Bertsch, founder of Powerhouse Planning.  Powerhouse Planning (Powerhouse) guides companies toward initiating and instituting high-IMPACT business plans that succeed in the forms of growth, recognition, efficiency, and new opportunities.   Important topics they discuss:

• [2:07]  All about Powerhouse Planning
• [4:48] The five pillars of Powerhouse Planning
• [5:23] How Jessica taps into the skills of military spouses and veterans to build her team
• [8:28] Jessica’s biggest mistake in the beginning of launching her business
• [10:01]  Jessica’s letter to new CEO’s
• [10:45] The benefits of having a professional mentor
• [12:08] The importance of giving back when running a business

Quote: “We don’t want to lose our professional identity, want to continue to flourish and do awesome things as well over a 20+ year career.” – Jessica Bertsch

Social: LinkedIn Facebook Pinterest

In this episode of Drop and Give Me 20, Lindsey Germono speaks with Claire Yanta-O’Mahoney, the Founder of Fleur de Lis Fitness. Claire.

Important topics they discuss:

• [1:47] All About Claire and Fleur de Lis Fitness
• [3:26] How Claire’s transition from a military spouse to a veteran spouse impacted her business
• [7:20] Challenges Claire has faced and overcome
• [9:02] Do It In the Morning: Time management skills for military entrepreneurs -
• [10:26] Advantages of working with a personal coach
• [13:09] Lindsey’s Personal Story
• [13:09] Tips Claire wished she could have told herself before she started her business

Quote:

“Try to silence the self doubt. There’s this voice in the back of our head wondering if this is the right way to do it and what someone might say. These fears are there but that doesn’t mean you need to listen to it.” - Claire Yanta-O’Mahoney

Social:

• Fleur de Lis Fitness
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram

In this episode of Drop and Give Me 20, Lindsey Germono speaks with Brian Richardson, the Founder of The Company Project. He works with small businesses in the firearms industry to define strategies for their products and services so that they can find, motivate, and keep profitable customers.

Important topics they discuss:

• [1:14] All about Brian and The Company Project
• [3:07] Niche, niche, niche: Brian goes from small business to focusing on the firearms industry
• [7:17] Obstacles in the transition from military to entrepreneur
• [8:23] Understanding how business partnerships work
• [11:25] How to find, motivate, and keep profitable customers
• [15:58] Does your website measure up?

Quote:

“Passion will get you through some lean times but it won’t necessarily make you have a successful business..the good stuff happens at the intersection of passion and ability.” - Brian Richardson

Social:

• The Company Project
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Facebook

In this episode of Drop and Give Me 20, Lindsey Germono speaks with Bill Lockard. Bill is the Founder of 227 Financial Coaching. He helps military families reduce debt and build wealth.

 Important topics they discuss:

• [1:03] All About Bill
• [3:19] Year One - The hardest year most business owners ever face
• [5:20] Don’t go into battle without a plan: Bill’s financial tips for entrepreneurs in 2017
• [10:18] Christmas ideas for the military entrepreneur who has everything

 Quote:

“Going into business without a budget it like going into battle without a plan.” - William Lockard

• 227 Financial Coaching
• Bill's Book
• Email ([email protected])
• Phone: 678.850.7985

In this episode of Drop and Give Me 20, Lindsey Germono speaks with Kathy Stoddard Torrey founder of Tapfer Consulting. Kathy is a life and relationship coach with an MBA who trains, assesses, facilitates, builds teams and coaches.

Important topics they discuss:

• [2:00] All About Kathy and the history of Tapfer Consulting
• [4:24] Why did Kathy launch her consulting business
• [6:23] Baby steps get you moving: Advice for new entrepreneurs on how to start
• [11:52] How Kathy handled changes and challenges as an entrepreneur
• [16:43] Perfection is the enemy

“Perfection...It is an entrepreneur’s worst enemy. We want it to be perfect so we never end up sending it out the door...80% out the door is better than 100% sitting on your desk!” - Kathy Stoddard Torrey

• Tapfer Consulting
• Email ([email protected])
• Twitter (@kstorrey)
• Instagram (@kstorrey)

In this episode of Drop and Give Me 20, Lindsey Germono speaks with Jeremy Paris, ten year Army veteran and podcaster. Jeremy hosts the Veteran Resource Podcast and co-founded the only kid-focused podcast network, Podcast Playground.

Important topics they discuss:

• [1:02] All About Jeremy
• [5:00] The Veteran Resource Podcast
• [5:40] Jeremy’s Tips for 2017 - Networking & Processes
• [8:42] Advice Jeremy offers to Non-Profits - Niche, Niche, Niche

Quote:

“There’s not way we could accomplish all we do if we didn’t have the processes in place to automate, outsource and batch.” - Jeremy Paris

Social:

• Veteran Resource Podcast
• Twitter
• Podcast Playground

In this episode of Drop and Give Me 20, Lindsey Germono speaks with Laura Petersen, co-founder of Podtent Marketing, Podcast Teachers, host of Copy that Pops and author of the Amazon Best Seller, Copywriting for Podcasters. 

Important topics they discuss:

• [1:28] The Power of Podcasting
• [3:07] How to DIY Your Podcast
• [5:25] How to Get Help Starting Your Podcast

Quote:

“Podcasts are the only type of content that an audience can consume while multitasking. Jogging the park? You can’t watch a video and you can’t read a blog article. You can really get in someone’s head with a podcast though.” - Laura Petersen

Social:

• Podtent Marketing
• Podcast Teachers
• Copy that Pops
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Copywriting for Podcasters