Episode 3: Access to Opportunity – The Power of a Strong Business Network

Episode 5: Resiliency - Marching Forward Through Adversity

Host: Mark Elliott - Managing Director and Global Head of Military and Veterans Affairs for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Guests: * Barbara Myrick - President of B&M Construction * Frances Crespo - Founder & Owner of The Full Cup Description:  It can be difficult to move forward during times of uncertainty. On this episode of NaVOBA’s Marching Forward Mondays Podcast, our guests – Barbara Myrick and Frances Crespo - share their experiences as veteran entrepreneurs of color and discuss the attributes business owners should have when faced with adversity. Show Notes: 00:00-01:07 – Our host, Mark Elliott, opens the podcast. 01:08-4:37 – Mark introduces the episode’s topic and guests: Barbara Myrick and Frances Crespo. 4:38-12:35 – Mark asks Barbara and Frances to share why they decided to join the U.S. Military and what inspired them to start their own businesses. 12:36-25:02 – Barbara and Frances reflect on times when they faced challenges that required a resilient response and impacted their leadership approaches. 25:03-31:06 –  Frances shares what motivated her while being involved in the Navy Seals, and how her military experience influenced her professional and personal development. 31:07-35:02 – Barbara shares the lessons she has learned and the challenges she has faced as an entrepreneur of color. 35:03-39:16 – Mark asks Frances to share her superpower and to reflect on what she has overcome throughout her life. 39:17-43:43 – Barbara shares her future outlook as a veteran entrepreneur of color. 43:44-50:29 – Barbara and Frances provide their advice and final thoughts for the listeners. 50:30 – Mark closes the podcast. Sponsored by: JPMorgan Chase & Co.  Produced by: Forge Business Solutions

Episode 4: Getting Money – Part 2

Host: Terry Hill - Managing Director, Commercial Banking for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Guests: * Bede Ramcharan - Founder, President, and CEO of Indatatech * Bobby Herrera - Cofounder and CEO of Populus Group Description: There are various paths business owners can take to secure capital. However, how do you determine which option is best for your organization? On this episode of NaVOBA’s Marching Forward Mondays Podcast, our guests – Bede Ramcharan and Bobby Herrera – share their experiences in obtaining funding and how they propelled their businesses to the next level. Show Notes: 00:00-01:21 – Our host, Terry Hill, opens the podcast 01:22-4:10 – Terry introduces the episode’s topic and guests: Bede Ramcharan and Bobby Herrera. 4:11-11:10 – Bede and Bobby discuss their experiences serving in the US military and their transition to becoming entrepreneurs. 11:11-18:16 – Bede and Bobby share how they acquired funding during the early stages of their businesses. 18:17-25:19 – Bede and Bobby discuss how funding impacted growth in their organizations 25:20-38:11 –Bede and Bobby walk the listeners through their experiences and processes of obtaining capital for their businesses 38:12-43:01 – Terry, Bede, and Bobby have a group discussion about specific routes to obtain and manage funding throughout the business's lifecycle 43:02-47:03 – Bede and Bobby share the importance of business leaders having a peer network and professional advisors to lean on. 47:04 – Terry closes the podcast. Sponsored by: JPMorgan Chase & Co.  Produced by: Forge Business Solutions

Episode 3: Access to Opportunity – The Power of a Strong Business Network

Host:  Jill Davis - Vice President, Marketing Manager, Global Supplier Diversity of JPMorgan Chase & Co.  Guests:  * Carlton Brown - Founder & Owner of Occasional Occasions by Carlton  * Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour - CEO of VAI Consulting & Training, LLC and FlyGirl Construction  Description: Networking is an essential skill for entrepreneurs. Building a professional network can open doors to resources, opportunities, and support for business professionals. On this episode of NaVOBA’s Marching Forward Mondays Podcast, our guests - Carlton Brown and Vernice Armour - share their experiences and approaches to creating meaningful relationships to develop a strategic network. Show Notes: 00:00-01:15 – Our host, Jill Davis, opens the podcast. 01:16-04:42– Jill introduces the episode’s topic and guests. 04:43-15:45 – Our guests, Carlton Brown and Vernice Armour, share their inspiration for enlisting in the military and starting their businesses. 15:46-19:16 – Vernice shares her networking experience during her career in Marine Corps. 19:17-23:38 – Carlton discusses how his personal and professional development influenced his ability to build relationships. 23:39-28:24 – Carlton shares his approach to building his network and how it took his business to the next level. 28:25-32:40 – Vernice talks about the value of building a professional network and her approach to creating meaningful connections. 32:41-36:52 – Vernice and Carlton share effective communication tactics for introverted professionals. 36:53-42:02 – Jill brings up how personal identity may provide avenues for networking. Carlton and Vernice reflect on their experience networking as black entrepreneurs and members of the LGBTQ+ community. 42:03-47:48 – Vernice and Carlton share how entrepreneurs can leverage social media for networking purposes. 47:49-51:58 – Vernice and Carlton provide their final thoughts. 51:59 – Jill closes the podcast. Sponsored by: JPMorgan Chase & Co.  Produced by: Forge Business Solutions

Episode 2: Getting Money – Part 1

Host:  Alex McKindra - Managing Director & Co-Head of the Veteran Owned Business Group for JPMorgan Chase & Co.  Guests:  * Staci Redmon - Founder & CEO of Gray Redmon Global Partners  * John Kadala, MBA - Senior Business Consultant, Minority Entrepreneurs for JPMorgan Chase & Co.  Description: Financing is one of the biggest challenges faced by entrepreneurs. On this episode of NaVOBA’s Marching Forward Mondays Podcast, our guests - Staci Redmon and John Kadala - share their expertise in the area of business owners securing funding for their organization. Show Notes: 00:00-01:37 – Our host, Alex McKindra, opens the podcast. 01:38-4:27 – Alex introduces the episode’s topic and guests. 4:28-6:21 – Staci Redmon talks about her initial motivation to join the U.S. Army. 6:22-8:43 – Staci shares the driving factor for starting Strategy and Management Services (SAMS). 8:45-10:02 – Alex asks Staci about another company she is adding to her portfolio. 10:03-12:24 – Staci shares her experience as a woman of color and veteran entrepreneur. 12:25-18:39 – Staci discusses the factors she considered when pursuing funding and accessing capital for her business. 18:40-24:15 – Alex shifts the conservation to John Kadala to discuss his passion for supporting veteran business owners and the veteran community. 24:16-30:42 – John shares the biggest challenges most veteran entrepreneurs of color face and ways to overcome these obstacles. 30:43-36:22 – John talks about a recent win for a diverse business owner regarding their approach to obtaining funding. 36:23- 39:49 – Alex asks John to share what entrepreneurs should do after funding has been secured. 39:50-42:58 – John discusses the different considerations for startups and established businesses when seeking financing options. 42:59-44:05 – Staci shares suggestions for lenders who want to better serve diverse business owners. 44:06-45:46 – Based on her experience, Staci reflects on common mistakes regarding business finances. 45:47-49:46 – John talks about common misconceptions about access to capital, especially for diverse business owners. 49:47 – Alex closes the podcast. Sponsored by: JPMorgan Chase & Co.  Produced by: Forge Business Solutions

Episode 1: Propelling your Business forward through Veteran Business Certification

Host:  Chris Kane - Executive Director for JPMorgan Chase & Co.  Guests:  * Natasha M. Hinds - CEO and Founder of Keep Your Hair Headgear, LLC  * Heather Herndon Wright, MCA, CPSD, CPSM - Director, Supply Chain Diversity & Sustainability for Vistra Corp. Description: What does it take to become a certified veteran business? On this episode of NaVOBA’s Marching Forward Mondays Podcast, our guests – Natasha Hinds and Heather Herndon Wright – share their perspectives on the process and benefits of veteran business certification. Show Notes: 00:00 - 02:07 – Our host, Chris Kane, opens the podcast. 02:08 - 04:00 – Chris introduces our guests, Natasha Hinds and Heather Herndon Wright. 04:01 - 7:38 – Natasha Hinds discusses her motivation to join the U.S. Army. 8:34 - 11:35 – Natasha elaborates on the driving factor for starting her business, Keep Your Hair Headgear, LLC. 11:36 - 13:28 – Natasha shares how being a U.S. Army Veteran and woman of color has shaped her approach to becoming an entrepreneur and leading her company. 13:29 - 19:39 – Chris asks Natasha how she knew she needed to pursue certification. Then, Natasha shares the certification process she experienced at the federal and state level. 19:40 - 20:34 – Natasha provides an overview of the products Keep Your Hair Headgear, LLC offers their customers. 20:49 – 22:45 – Chris brings Heather Herndon Wright into the conversation to provide an in-depth look into the certification process. 22:46 - 23:47 – Heather explains how corporations have had an increased interest in wanting to do business with minority veteran-owned businesses. 23:48 - 28:17 – Heather talks about the differences between public and private sector certification and how businesses can obtain private sector certification. 28:18 - 30:37 – Heather provides her advice for veteran business owners on how to navigate the fragmented landscape of veteran business certifications. 30:38 - 33:37 – Heather shares the benefits of organizations being certified as veteran-owned businesses, as well as resources offered by NaVOBA. 33:38 - 39:13 – Heather addresses the misconceptions about certification and how NaVOBA works to improve the certification process. 39:14 - 41:09 – Natasha and Heather recommend pursuing multiple certifications and designations for your business. 42:35 – Natasha shares her final thoughts regarding the veteran business certification process. 43:03 – Chris closes the podcast. Sponsored by: JPMorgan Chase & Co.  Produced by: Forge Business Solutions