Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Brown.
Hi Stephanie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I grew up as an Air Force brat. My father served two tours in Vietnam and when he retired, he opened a small music store in California. Working at that store sparked my love of entrepreneurship. Before I married my husband, Tom, a Navy SEAL officer, I owned a small business of my own in Washington, D.C. When Tom accepted orders to command a naval special warfare unit overseas, I sold my business and learned how difficult it was to be a military spouse and have a career. Meeting other military spouses who sacrificed their careers and were struggling to even get a job, something inside me clicked. That inner entrepreneur set out to create a solution for spouses and veterans. A solution that would allow others like me to create our own path through entrepreneurship. I believe that those who have served have earned the right to the American Dream of small business ownership and our mission at The Rosie Network is to provide the tools and resources needed to help them succeed. Today, our national award-winning training program, Service2CEO, provides free training and mentorship to thousands of veterans and military spouses around the country.
Our work today is more important than ever.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
What I didn’t know about running a non-profit at the beginning of this journey could fill an encyclopedia. My prior business experiences were for-profits and there are many differences between the two. My first challenge and perhaps the most important was building the right team. Bringing in those who could ‘fill in the gaps’ was critical. I’ve always said your team is your greatest asset or your greatest liability, so building a great one is a challenge but worth the effort.
Let’s face it, being an entrepreneur is tough. It can be lonely and frustrating. It can also be costly, especially if you make mistakes. I should know. I’ve probably made every mistake there is, or at least those that didn’t land me in jail! Having a network of like-minded individuals with shared experiences to lean on makes the journey easier. There is no reason to go it alone.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Inspired by the WWII icon, Rosie the Riveter, we embrace the ‘We Can Do It’ attitude. The Rosie Network is a national award-winning 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to serve our nation’s military members, veterans, and military spouses on their journey to small business ownership. Our program, Service2CEO, is provided at no cost in over 32 states and overseas. The curriculum covers eight modules from legal and marketing to business plan development and financial literacy, but we don’t stop there. We also provide mentoring and a national alumni program for graduates, all in a supportive environment that fosters collaboration and growth.
Veterans and military families are members of communities around the country. They live, work and start businesses as our neighbors and friends. They’ve served us and it’s our turn to serve them.
How can you help? Time, treasure, and talent are welcomed. We are welcome mentors, subject matter experts, and of course, donors. Help us strengthen our military families, one entrepreneur at a time.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Entrepreneurship is not a journey to undertake alone, so build a team around you. A team is not limited to employees, most small business owners are sole proprietors. A team includes mentors, advisors, experts, and yes, cheerleaders. Everyone needs cheerleaders now and then! Be willing to listen to your team, you don’t have to agree, but they are taking the time to share their experience so be grateful. Whatever you do, resist the urge to surround yourself with people who tell you what you want to hear or just feed your ego.
Contact Info:
- Email: contact@therosienetwork.org
- Website: www.therosienetwork.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therosienetwork/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRosieNetwork
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosie_network
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm_J03rsIR_LhucNJZZE45g
Image Credits
Trish Alegre Smith
