In this episode of The Daily Windup, I interview Austin Tsosie, a successful entrepreneur with a remarkable journey, starting with him sharing his experience of growing up on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico. He discusses the impact of the sawmill closures, which led his family to move off the reservation. Despite the challenges, his father instilled in him and his twin brother the importance of education and success in fields like medicine, law, and engineering. Fascinated by computers and programming,  Austin pursued a career in IT, navigating the evolving landscape of network engineering and software development.

Tune in to this inspiring episode of The Daily Windup to hear how Austin's journey unfolded, from the challenges he faced to the pivotal moments that shaped his path as a successful entrepreneur in the IT industry.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we dive into an exciting opportunity for military spouses that is often overlooked: free LinkedIn Premium for a full year after they relocate due to a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). Joined by Chrissy Farrington, we discuss the significance of this offering and how it can benefit military families.

Don't miss this insightful episode as we shed light on the benefits of LinkedIn Premium for military spouses, share personal experiences, and provide valuable information on how to access this incredible resource. Whether you're a military spouse or know someone in the military, this episode is a must-listen for those looking to unlock new career possibilities and make the most of their LinkedIn presence.

In this episode of The Daily Wind Up, Ronnette Myers and I explore the importance of talent management in companies and how it often falls short, especially in larger organizations. We highlight the tendency for employees to feel like mere numbers in such companies and emphasizes the need for better utilization of talented individuals. 

Furthermore, we also highlight the community outreach efforts of some companies, such as JLAN Solutions, which leverage their employees' skills and talents to make a positive impact beyond their regular work. Listen now to learn how you can leverage talent management in your business.

Ever been burned by finance companies, I know I have. So often as small minority owned businesses we do not get the best rates, offers or just out right get taken advantage of because of what we don’t know. Thanks to our new partner, Encore Funding we are now bringing you a trusted source for government contract financing. With more than $500M in funding going to minorities alone in 2024 Encore is here to support your business. Visit encoregov.com for information on how to apply. 

In this episode, I break down the latest executive orders from President Trump following his 2025 election victory and what they mean for small business owners in the federal space. There’s a lot of confusion surrounding the recent elimination of DEI initiatives and how it impacts SBA programs like HUBZone, 8(a), and Women-Owned Small Business certifications. I clarify the difference between DEI policies and federally mandated small business programs, which are protected under the Small Business Act—not subject to a simple executive order. Plus, I share why a shrinking federal workforce could mean more contract opportunities for small business owners like you.

I also dive into some powerful statistics from 2023—over $700 billion spent in federal contracts, with $180 billion going directly to small businesses. Despite concerns about policy shifts, government spending is only expected to increase, especially in areas like AI, cybersecurity, and disaster recovery. Now is the time to position yourself for success, connect with key decision-makers, and seize the opportunities that are opening up in this evolving market.

In today's episode of The Daily Wind Up, we have Former DoD Cyber Crime Director Jeff Stutzman who talks about the importance of cybersecurity for small businesses. He highlights the various risks that businesses face and the standard architecture used to combat these risks. Jeff emphasizes the need to have firewalls and endpoints, training, email protection, and incident response capabilities to safeguard businesses.

He goes on to discuss how small businesses can have affordable cybersecurity solutions. One of his suggestions is using next-generation firewalls with a lot of functionality built-in, such as cloud functionality, DNS filtering, and anti-malware. Jeff explains that these firewalls have a total cost of ownership that is really good and that small businesses can obtain them for roughly $2,000. Listen to this episode now to learn how you can keep your business safe and secured!

In this episode of The Daily Wind Up, we dive into the challenges and lessons learned by Austin Tsosie in the federal contracting industry. Auston shares his experience of starting a small business and the hurdles he faced along the way. From attending conferences to building past performance and landing contracts, he recounts the importance of confidence in navigating the intimidating federal space.

Join us in this insightful episode as we emphasizes the significance of confidence and resilience when starting a small business in the federal contracting arena. Austin's story serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs, reminding them that mistakes are an inevitable part of the journey and can ultimately lead to growth and success.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we delve into the experiences of military spouses and the unique challenges they face while pursuing careers. Our guest speaker, Chrissy Farrington, a military spouse herself, shares her journey of joining a veteran-owned business and finding a work-life balance amidst frequent relocations and military life demands.

The episode highlights the importance of understanding the nuances of military life and how veteran-owned businesses and organizations with military-experienced staff can provide valuable support. We also touch on the advantages military families have, including comprehensive healthcare and access to resources like free LinkedIn Premium through programs like Military One Source.

Join us in this insightful episode as we celebrate the strength and determination of military spouses and explore ways to empower them in their professional pursuits.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, my guest Ronnette Myers shares a powerful personal story of her weight loss journey. She opens up about her struggles with weight since childhood and how it impacted her confidence and health. After a significant incident involving her knees, she decided to make a change. With the support of a personal trainer and a community of women, she set a goal to lose 50 pounds before turning 50. On her 50th birthday, she achieved her goal, but she didn't stop there. She continued her journey, losing 25 more pounds and aiming to lose another 25.

Ronnette discusses the challenges she faced, including controlling her eating habits and reducing sugar intake. Additionally, she shares her experience with a 10-day green smoothie cleanse that helped her lose 16 pounds. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining her progress and incorporates regular walking and running into her routine.

Let's shake things up a bit and join us in this inspiring conversation about overcoming obstacles, finding motivation, and prioritizing personal health.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we delve into a gripping story of a high-stakes ransomware attack that unfolded four years ago. Jeff Stutzman, shares his firsthand experience of being called to Houston to handle a massive ransomware attack on a three and a half billion dollar company. The situation was dire, with only three days remaining before the attackers would cause irreversible damage. Jeff takes charge and guides the CEO and chief security officer through the complex negotiations and payments. 

Additionally, Jeff expresses his concern about the growing threat of ransomware attacks and the potential for a large-scale incident. He emphasizes the need for heightened cybersecurity measures and discusses the vulnerabilities exposed by the staggering number of open ports in Ukraine and the United States. This cautionary tale serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proactive cybersecurity strategies in today's interconnected world.

Don't miss this episode of The Daily Windup as Jeff recounts his harrowing encounter with ransomware and offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of cyber threats.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, host Eric Coffie dives into a captivating story of leadership and organizational transformation. Starting with an unexpected turn of events, Austin Tsosie recounts how he found himself taking on the role of CEO after the turbulent times experienced by DDC IT Services. As the holding company, Nova Corporation, underwent a transformative phase, Austin faced the challenge of aligning subsidiaries and implementing a competitive strategy to overcome revenue loss and ensure future growth.

We explore the critical importance of early strategic planning, highlighting the "cliff" phenomenon that companies face when exiting programs and the need to establish competitive strategies beforehand. Austin also emphasizes the significance of the Navajo heart, expressing the journey of infusing tribal identity into the organization and fostering connections with various stakeholders, including the Navajo Nation government, military personnel, contracting offices, and internal subsidiaries. The creation of a robust governance model, incorporating audits, processes, policies, authority matrices, and ethical guidelines, further exemplifies the commitment to excellence and economic development.

Tune in now as we unravel the remarkable story of Austin's journey from unexpected leadership to building the Navajo heart, showcasing the power of vision, adaptability, and collaboration in organizational success.