Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. ~Theodore Roosevelt
Have you set your sights and your schedule toward where you will be spending your time this year? Do you know yet what organizations you are aligning yourself with, and the conferences that are worth your time to attend? It’s no secret that a lot of what I do revolves around “see and be seen” and scouting the best places and people to devote that time to. I travel the country to connect with different partners and business leaders, and my experience has led me to know where to spend my time. It’s not so much that some are better than others as much as it is that some are more in line with my purpose and goals. So, my advice to you is to take the time to navigate the different offerings and find your people, your community, your network where you feel at home and devote your time there!
There are several organizations that I support with my time and talents because their mission aligns with my passions and purpose. I show up for the events that promote their cause and communities, and the leaders within know they can count on me to be there when they need me. Just to name a few that I am active with: The American Small Business Coalition, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), National 8(a) Association, HUBZone Contractors National Council, and my hometown favorite, Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses (FAVOB). I proudly serve and support each!
Given that I love and support active duty and veteran family members who have served and continue to serve, and that I proudly work for a veteran-operated business, I am passionate about supporting this community! Here in my hometown, I am particularly drawn to support by means of volunteering on the Executive Board for the state for FAVOB. This amazing organization was founded by Michael Waldrop with a passion to support veteran entrepreneurs as they transition into civilian life and with a mission to make Florida the best place for veterans to start and succeed with whatever business aspirations they aim to achieve. With close to 400 members state wide, you need not be a veteran to join and support the cause. FAVOB is the only Florida business organization that focuses on supporting and advocating on behalf of VOBs to do business with each other and at the same time create opportunities to work with local and state agencies and for-profit supplier diversity programs.
In an effort to promote this organization’s membership and mission, we are hosting a Military Service to Business Success Summit on 23 February in Orlando, FL. This all-day event will share keynote addresses by esteemed veteran business leaders of the public and private sector, panel discussions by veteran leaders and government representatives, membership interaction for both FAVOB and co-host organization Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (VEI), an expo displaying Florida businesses and top-notch networking opportunities! This is on my calendar, and I hope you will make it part of yours, too!
Now is the time to get involved, see where you find camaraderie and inclusion, and dedicate some time to what is important to you! As our founder, Dr. Edward Bersoff, says, we can all do well if we start by doing good! Join us and let’s together do good by those who have walked the wall while we sleep!