The Transition by Bunker Labs

What does it take to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem? Being in the NYC Metro Area, I’m fortunate enough to have access to meetups, co-working spaces, and other perks. But for those in Not in major metropolitan areas, you may have to build your ecosystem from the ground up, which is why for Today’s show, I sat down with Jim Roberts, an ecosystem builder and Founder of the Network For Entrepreneurs in Wilmington, NC. Jim is no stranger to the Bunker, where he worked hand in hand with the Bunker Labs team down in Raleigh-Durham, as a community development director. On today’s show, Jim and I talk through his journey building the Wilmington entrepreneurial ecosystems, what he’s learned along the way, and how to build out your own ecosystems in absence of one.

Connect with Jim on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-roberts-78b24b/

Follow Jim on Twitter: https://twitter.com/redspireusnc

Find out more about The Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington at: https://newilm.com/

3 Sips of Advice: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1MMh77iJjX4lXSCdsi-y4g/featured

Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8Ne

On this episode of the Transition, I’m joined by Navy Veteran, Thereasa Black, Founder of Bonappe Sweet , which crafts delicious, decadent chocolate bars that aren’t filled with processed ingredients, that way you can enjoy something sweet, tasty, and satisfying without an ounce of guilt. After our interview, I wrote on Linkedin that I am so blown away by the caliber of founders of colors in our ecosystem.

Find out more about Theresa's business, Bon AppeSweet: https://bonappesweet.com/

If you want to get plugged into the Bunker Labs ecosystem, visit www.BunkerLabs.org, select a city nearest to you, sign up for the local newsletter, and attend one of our networking events. It’s that simple.

I’m joined by Frank Pollock, a third generation entrepreneur and acting CMO of two veteran-led startups, including Home Lending Pal, a two-sided marketplace that matches borrowers with lenders, and Blue Recruit, a direct-hire marketplace for skilled-trade workers. When he’s not acting as a CMO, he’s a volunteer for Bunker Labs, where for the last year, he ran the Consumer Packaged Goods,CEO Circle Facilitator.

Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8Ne

Learning more about Home Lending Pal here: https://www.homelendingpal.com/

Learn more about Blue Recruit here: https://bluerecruit.us/

In the following episode of the Transition, I talk about what it takes to achieve Flawless Acceleration in your business, rising above the day to day chaos and uncertainty that comes with being an entrepreneur, and focusing on the aspects of business building that actually drives results.

Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8Ne

On this Episode of the Transition, I continue doing some Ecosystem building, by sitting down with Alexa Modero, Director of the Veteran Future Lab at the NYU, a no-cost incubator that houses early-stage ventures led by veterans and military spouses.

VFL has a world class digital makerspace at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering in Brooklyn, NY. Similar to Bunker Labs, they have programs for early stage small businesses, and venture backable startups, seeking investment.

One of the reasons I wanted to get Alexa on the show to talk about VFL on the show is so you understand the massive amount of opportunities available to you veteran entrepreneurs and military spouses. Alexa is a military spouse and former VIR Alumni and Ambassador for Bunkers in NYC. With all the different programs available in the ecosystem, it can be hard to determine which one is a good fit for you, and how to leverage it. Alexa and I talk about VFL’s program offerings, how they think about curriculum development, and what sets VFL apart from other programs in the ecosystem.

If you want to get plugged into the Bunker Labs ecosystem, visit www.BunkerLabs.org, select a city nearest to you, sign up for the local newsletter, and attend one of our networking. It’s that simple.

On today’s episode of the Transition, I’m joined by Army Veteran and VIR Alumn, Donnell Johns, Founder of Veterans Growing America, a company that provides a platform for Veteran and Military Spouses to showcase and grow their businesses. By partnering with local, state, and federal organizations, VGA is able conduct local events and marketing programs, to increase engagement with Veteran Business Community.

We have programs that will take you from idea to invoice, incubate you, and position to grow alongside other founders and CEOs. Register today at by click connect at Bunkerlabs.org

On this episode of the Transition, I stress the importance of making sure you’re taking care of yourself by getting back in the gym. I know the hustle porn out there that tries to sell you all these different life hacks, that's not what I’m talking about.

Today on the Transition, I’m joined by my friend, colleague, and Navy Veteran, Keith Kappel, Our Head Content Writer at Bunker Labs. If you’re like, you have great ideas for books and blogs that you want to write, but can never seem to find enough time and energy in the day to write them. Keith’s no exception, but his vast experience over the years has taught him some tips and tricks, to stop overthinking, and get thoughts on the page, which he shares on today’s show.

Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8Ne

Check out the official bunker labs blog here: https://bunkerlabs.org/blog/

On this episode of the Transition, I’m joined by Rachel Hobert, A Partner at Hivers and Strivers, an early stage investment fund that invests exclusively in Military Veterans. H&S has been around since 2011, originally starting as an Angel investment group, and has since established its own venture fund.

Getting capital in the hands of the veteran entrepreneurial community is always at the forefront of my mind, so I invited Rachel on the show to discuss what Hivers and Strivers looks for and its founder, best practices for those seeking investment, and misconceptions about the venture capital space. This is a great episode and it was an honor to be able to host Rachel on her first podcast!

If you’re interested in raising capital for your startup, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8Ne

To learn more Hivers and Strivers click here: https://hiversandstrivers.com/

On today’s show, I talk about the importance of building your own business playbook. As entrepreneurs, so many of us look for external validation and feedback from others, in order to tell us what we should be doing, instead of looking internally and committing to figuring it out ourselves. Nobody knows the ins and outs of your venture, your target market, and how you will succeed. The future of your business doesn’t exist yet, you have to create it, and if your tired of guessing, instead of speaking with authority and conviction, than you have to commit to building your own playbook.

Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8Ne