Dean Bundschu is the Atlantic Regional Executive for Bunker Labs, a company that inspires, equips, and connects veteran entrepreneurs with other entrepreneurs and mentors. Dean is an army veteran who has helped several high-growth business startups. He is the Founder of PrepChamps, a company that has been recognized as North Carolina’s 2007 Fast Trac Tech Company of the Year. Dean is a distinguished military veteran and has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Ohio Northern University.

 

Jessica Harris is the is the Founder of K9 Salute, a company that creates all-natural dog treats in honor of fallen service dogs. A retired army veteran, Jessica has developed her entrepreneurial skills and matured a business that gives back to working dogs across the country. She has been featured in the Pet Food Industry magazine, and during 2018 she was named an American Small Business Champion by Sam’s Club and SCORE.

 

Dean joins me today to share why he wanted to help veterans create and develop businesses. He reveals the programs that are run by Bunker Labs and how veteran entrepreneurs can find inspiration, connections, and training through the Bunker Labs events and programs. I also spoke with Jessica to learn more about her business and how Bunker Labs have played a crucial role in the success of her company.

  

“The intent is for Bunker Labs to transform North Carolina into the hub of veteran entrepreneurship.” - Dean Bundschu

 

 

This week on the Supportedly Podcast:

 

• Dean’s military career, post-army veteran mentorship, and his path to Bunker Labs.
• How Bunker Labs is helping veterans and their spouses start and grow their business.
• Why the number of veteran entrepreneurs has dropped significantly since WW2.
• How the Bunker Brews events connect entrepreneurs with a workshop panel, keynote speaker, and networking.
• The four steps in the Launch Lab Online Program that help veteran entrepreneurs jumpstart their business.
• Bunker Labs’s partnership with the coworking organization WeWork.
• How the Veteran in Residence 6-month incubator program helps veteran entrepreneurs build a business.
• How CEOcircle serves the needs of established businesses that are already successful.
• How military veterans can get involved with the programs at Bunker Labs.
• Jessica’s journey to creating K9 Salute after transitioning out of the army.
• How K9 Salute shares tributes to fallen service dogs through dog treat products.
• Why K9 Salutes donates 10% of its profits to a canine or veteran organization.
• Jessica’s experience of the programs offered at Bunker Labs.
• The advice that Jessica would give to someone starting on the business-creation journey.

 

“You cannot complete your journey in business alone. Bunker Brews events offer that space where you can meet like-minded people that can help you.” - Jessica Harris

 

Free & Low-Cost Programs at Bunker Labs

 

• Bunker Brews
• Launch Lab Online
• Veteran in Residence
• CEOcircle

  

Connect with Dean Bundschu:

 

• Bunker Labs
• LinkedIn

 

Connect with Jessica Harris:

 

• K9 Salute
• LinkedIn

 

Subscribe, Rate, & Share

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Supportedly podcast! If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest review. Don’t forget to visit our website, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and share your favorite episodes on social media!

The Supportedly Podcast is produced by Podcraft. You can create your own great podcast – faster and easier – at Podcraft.com