M-Powered

Resources:

• Book: “Back on the Career Track” by Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin
• TED Talk: “How to get back to work after a career break” by Carol Fishman Cohen
• iRelaunch Return to Work Forum private Facebook group
• “3, 2, 1, iRelaunch” podcast (Episode 88: How I Have Maintained Career Continuity as a Military Spouse with April Keating)
• iRelaunch Return to Work Conference info page (next Conference is November 19-20, 2020!)
• iRelaunch Return to Work Roadmap information and Free Return to Work Starter Kit

iRelaunch & Carol’s Contact Information:

• Website: www.irelaunch.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iRelaunch
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/iRelaunch (Carol personally posts on this platform)
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irelaunch/
• Follow Carol Fishman Cohen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolfishmancohen/
• Email for more information: [email protected]

In this episode, I talk with Carol Fishman Cohen, Chair and Co-Founder of iRelaunch. Carol is a pioneer in the career re-entry space, and talks about the resources that iRelaunch offers military spouses who are taking a break from working, and for those who are actively re-energizing their career search after being away for an extended time.

In this short but sweet episode, we’re going to do something a little different. I want to have a candid conversation with you about some challenges I’ve been facing and humbly ask for your feedback on the show so far.

Resources:

• SCORE Website: https://www.score.org/
• Find a SCORE Mentor: https://www.score.org/find-mentor 
• SCORE Resource Library: https://www.score.org/content/browse-library
• Browse SCORE Workshops: https://www.score.org/content/take-workshop 
• Book: “The Secrets to Writing a Successful Business Plan: A Pro Shares A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Plan That Gets Results” by Hal Shelton (not an affiliate link)

SCORE & Len’s Contact Information:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCOREMentors
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SCOREMentors 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/score_mentors/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SCORESmallBusiness 
• Email: [email protected]

In this episode, I talk with Len Johnson, who enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam era, trained as a photographer during his service, became an entrepreneur after exiting the military and then decided to give back to the entrepreneurial community as a mentor for Service Corps of Retired Entrepreneurs, also known as SCORE. Listen in as we learn about SCORE from Len!

Resources:

• Bunker Labs Launch Lab Online (Idea)
• Bunker Labs Veterans in Residence (Incubate) *Next cohort starts October 2020!
• Bunker Labs CEO Circle (Grow)
• Milspo Project (no longer active)
• MilSpouse Creative® + Entrepreneurs with Moni Jefferson
• Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE)

Bunker Labs & Elizabeth's Contact Information:

• Website: https://bunkerlabs.org 
• Community: https://www.bunkeronline.org 
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebunkerlabs 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTYpJ7V-_ISXC3WQQU46bFw 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebunkerlabs/ 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBunkerLabs 
• Get updates from Bunker Labs: Visit www.bunkerlabs.org, scroll down to the bottom of the page, look for “Sign up for our national newsletter” and enter your email address.

In this M-Powered episode, I talk with Elizabeth Marion, a Marine Corps spouse and the Virtual Events Producer and LMS Manager at Bunker Labs. Before marrying her Marine, Elizabeth worked in the film industry, and after entering into military spouse life and becoming interested in entrepreneurship, her journey led her to Bunker Labs. Elizabeth was so impressed with Bunker Labs’ commitment to helping the military connected community start and grow their own business, that she signed on to be a city leader and eventually became a part of the Bunker Labs team. Listen in to learn more about Elizabeth and Bunker Labs!

Resources:

Heroes Welcome Initiative

Team Redstone All Call (TRAC)

Semper Fi Community Task Force

Jen’s Contact Information:

Website: Holliday Design Studio

Email: [email protected] 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollidayDesignStudio

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollidaydesignstudio/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HollidayDesigns

In this episode, I talk with Jen Holliday of Holliday Design Studio. Jen is enjoying life on the “other side” of active duty, as her husband retired from the Army two years ago. She gives us a look into the many years she spent volunteering with Family Readiness Groups (FRGs), and how volunteer work grew a portfolio and network that led to the (re)start of her business and some lucrative and exciting projects, one of which she will tell us about in the episode.

In this episode, I talk with Lucie Piper of American Corporate Partners, also known as ACP. Lucie a Marine Corps spouse, and is the Women’s and Military Spouse Program Coordinator at ACP. She shares a brief look at her professional portfolio, and like so many other military spouses, it is rich with experience. The passion she has for giving back to the military spouse community is evident as she talks with me about the no-cost, year-long virtual mentorship program available through ACP.

Learn More About ACP & Apply:

https://www.acp-usa.org

Lucie’s Contact Information:

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucienne-piper-msw/

In this episode, I talk with Leigh Christian and Tracy Junkins from The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship, which began as the Women’s Business Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Leigh is the TechRich 7(j) Project Manager at The Catalyst, and Tracy is the Project Implementation Manager. Tracy also brings the unique perspective of being a veteran and a military spouse. We talk about all the services available at The Catalyst, how technology allows their office in North Alabama to assist entrepreneurs from all over the country, and how Small Business Administration partners offer similar services across the nation.

Local & Civilian Resources:

Association of Women’s Business Centers: https://www.awbc.org

Military-Specific Resources:

North Alabama M-Powered Entrepreneurs Private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/northalabama.mpowered/

HUBZone Accelerator: https://catalystcenter.org/services/our-services/item/the-hubzone-accelerator

Contact Information for The Catalyst Center:

Website: https://catalystcenter.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecatalystcenter/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecatalysthsv

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecatalystcenter/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecatalystcenter/ 

Contact Information for Leigh & Tracy:

Leigh Christian: [email protected]

Tracy Junkins: [email protected]

In this episode, I talk with Army spouse Diana Jaquith of WISE Advise + Assist Team. When Diana and WISE co-founder and fellow military spouse Laura Early met, they found synergy in their complementary skills, and ended up starting their business while coworking in a Panera Bread cafe. We discuss the ins and outs of being in business with a partner and how “good conflict” is helpful. I have personally utilized the services at WISE, and I offer a glimpse into how that has benefited me as a business owner. Diana identifies several resources that have helped her build and grow WISE, including the Georgia SBDC GrowSmart program, Patriot Boot Camp, and business leadership guru Patrick Lencioni. We also talk about how WISE Advise + Assist Team is a great resource for skilled military spouses who are looking to make some money as an independent contractor without going all-in as a business owner.

Local & Civilian Resources:

Georgia SBDC GrowSmart (also available in other locations)

Patrick Lencioni

Military-Specific Resources:

Patriot Boot Camp

Diana’s Contact Information:

Business Name: WISE Advise + Assist Team

Website: https://wiseadviseteam.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wiseadviseteam/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiseadviseteam/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-jaquith/

In this episode, I talk with Rebecca Wolfe of R2theRescue Pet Resort. Rebecca is both a Marine Corps veteran and spouse of a Marine. She and I have been friends for several years, and have navigated the entrepreneurial adventure together. She started her business as a side hustle and made the decision to take it full-time a couple of years ago. Rebecca stresses the importance of mentorship and positive association for professional success, and attributes reading and listening to podcasts as valuable parts of her entrepreneurial development. She also addresses how tenacity and perseverance has led to the profitable and growing business she has today.

Resources:

Entrepreneurs on Fire Podcast with John Lee Dumas

Rebecca’s Contact Information:

Business Name: R2theRescue Pet Resort

Website: https://r2petresort.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/r2therescue/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r2therescue/

In this episode, I talk with Ana Lewis of Native or Not. Ana and I have something in common; at the time of this recording, our husbands were both stationed at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Because of that commonality, we do talk about a lot of resources that are specific to the Huntsville area, but you can definitely use those ideas as a foundation for finding similar resources in your own duty location. We also discuss how Ana’s search for funding led her to the StreetShares grant program, her participation in the pitch presentation, and how that process was such a boost for growing her fledgling business.

Local Resources:

• Tourism Office: discover/connect with local businesses
• Print/Online Publications, Local Media: grow brand recognition in a new location
• CoWorking Facilities: search for events & opportunities that are open to the public
• Colleges/Universities: may have entrepreneurial programs and/or facilities you can utilize

Military-Specific Resources:

• Women’s Business Centers
• Veteran’s Business Outreach Center (VBOC)
• Street Shares Grant Program

Ana’s Contact Information:

• Business Name: Native or Not
• Website: www.nativeornot.net 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nativeornothsv/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/native_or_not_hsv/