00:00:00] Wendi: Hey sis, welcome to Beyond the Military Podcast, where faith led military women overcome burnout and create more balance. Just imagine having enough time to focus on your faith family, and have more fun while also serving as a woman leader. In this podcast, you’ll walk away with the tools to help you navigate the busy life of a military woman, organize your mind, overcome overwhelm, create a prioritization playbook, and a balance blueprint for integrating faith, family, and career.

[00:00:28] Wendi: Yeses in that order. Hi, I’m Wendi Ray, woman of God wife, mama of two army veteran and certified life coach, and I’m here to help you create a life of meaning outside of the military, a life of laughter, joy, and intentional free time. If you are ready to overcome burnout and create balance as a faith led military woman, sis, this podcast is for you.

[00:00:50] Wendi: So loosen up your laces and grab your coffee because it’s time to step into freedom and peace.

[00:00:55] Wendi: Hello ladies and welcome to episode one hundred [00:01:00] and seventy one. I am so happy to be here with you today, not only to share another great points, but also tools that, like I mentioned in the last episode, that not only will have guests here that are also military women. They have so much to share their experiences from their background to what they are currently doing today.

[00:01:22] Wendi: And before I go any further, I want to remind everyone that everything that’s discussed here, everything that we mentioned, even if you don’t get a chance to watch us through video, because today we’re actually recording and you’ll be able to see this on YouTube, but if you are driving or you’re just cleaning around the house, I wanna remind you that everything will be in the show notes, their bios, everything will be there readily for you to not only, um, view and listen to, but also to share.

[00:01:51] Wendi: And with that, I want to also ensure that you are not only enjoying this episode, but anything and everything that you are gaining from this [00:02:00] podcast, if you would like to provide an insight on how you are learning, anything that you. Think that we need to learn more about how this could be more beneficial to you, please go to wendiwray.com/podcast

[00:02:14] Wendi: scroll down to the bottom and you can suggest a topic or even just provide your feedback, and we greatly appreciate your support and just for you tuning in. Today in this episode. All right, so with with that, I just wanna share a little bit of background on how we got here with Barb and Rosy and really just, you know, through the power of communication, right?

[00:02:35] Wendi: The power of the platforms that we have. And I’m just super grateful that these wonderful women took the time to send me an email and say, Hey, you know, I want to not only be a part of this podcast, but also be able to share. What we have available with our program. And this is why I just love not only this podcast platform, email, social media, but we continue [00:03:00] to connect with one another even when we think that, you know, we’re too far or we’re not close enough.

[00:03:06] Wendi: And I think that as a military community that is super beneficial and a really, you know, a great point for us to really begin. And it really started because as you guys know, last week, we are. Have been celebrating not only the 75th anniversary of women being allowed to serve in the military. Mm-hmm. But also to continue to share knowledge, continue to share everyone’s personal experience.

[00:03:29] Wendi: And ultimately that’s my goal here. And so when they reached out and they shared with me, you know what they’re doing and all this data that you’ll hear soon hear from them, you know, it really just. Got me thinking that these two women will be a, a great opportunity to really continue to share the impact that we continue to make, but also the doors that are ready to be available and open for all military women.

[00:03:56] Wendi: Um, not only military women, veterans, but also [00:04:00] veterans across, um, the world and even military spouses. So with that, I, I want to introduce to you. I want to introduce to you Barb Carson and Rosalie de Vasquez. Thank you so much for being here with us. Thank you for taking the time. I know you have a tight schedule already, so thank you for providing us with not only your expertise, your background, but really two the next steps on how.

[00:04:26] Wendi: Each woman listening now can not only, um, experience but also have an impact, um, with as well. So with that, Barb, if you could please introduce yourself really quickly and then we can hand it off to Rose Linda.

[00:04:41] Barb Carson: Sounds great, Wendi. So thrilled to be here and grateful for all that you’re doing to show different pathways to women veterans.

[00:04:48] Barb Carson: That means a lot. My brief history, I’m currently the managing director for programs and services at the Danielo Institute for Veterans and Military Families, which is housed at Syracuse University. I’ve been here just over a year, [00:05:00] and my real quick path to how I got here. Starting in Air Force R O T C a long, long time ago.

[00:05:07] Barb Carson: I’m very grateful to the Air Force for getting me through school, to be honest. Um, active duty and nuclear command and control. And then following my aviator husband who kind of ruined my career path, I went to the Air Force Reserve and became a public affairs officer. Um, and was out of the workforce, honestly, except for the reserve for 10 years.

[00:05:26] Barb Carson: Um, and. Finished my Air Force career recently and went to the US Small Business Administration where I was a senior executive. Um, and so I have a passion for entrepreneurship, which we’ll talk about today, and then I am lucky enough to be here now at the institute. I’ll turn it over to Rosy.

[00:05:44] Rosy Vasquez Maury: Hi. So, yeah, uh, well, legally I’m Rosaliindaa Vasque, but, but I just go by Rosy for short.

[00:05:52] Rosy Vasquez Maury: Um, uh, I guess so I am the director of Applied Research and Analytics, but how I got here, [00:06:00] um, you know, my parents immigrated to this country many, many years ago. Um, and at that time there was, A lot of, you know, naturalization to American citizens through service. My father was not one of those, but I grew up, uh, around a bunch of Hispanic doctors that did actually serve in Vietnam.

[00:06:20] Rosy Vasquez Maury: So I grew up with the military service. I was in San Antonio. I feel like with being in San Antonio that kind of, everybody’s a little familiar about the military. Um, and certainly, you know, I think initially when I started college, I, I didn’t go right into anything, but I started, um, studying psychology and there was an internship that really led me down a career trajectory that was really focused on occupational analysis.

[00:06:45] Rosy Vasquez Maury: I know I, industrial organizational psychology, For the military. Um, so my career pathway led me more than 20 years ago into this direction. But I did 10 years ago do the reverse migration from San Antonio to [00:07:00] Syracuse, where I’ve been with the I v mf, um, for, again, more than 10 years. And I do oversee a portfolio of different research efforts focused on the social, economic and wellness components of transitioning service members, veterans, and their families.

[00:07:15] Wendi: Nice. Thank you so much for that. And I love that both of you have so much knowledge on different but also very similar tracks. And I wanna just go in and kind of, um, share with you, and I know we’ve met before and we’ve talked about how, you know why I am. So excited to have you here because I went through the iv, IV MF program and you know, more specifically the onwards opportunity.

[00:07:43] Wendi: And you know, for those of you that are, you know, probably transitioning now or thinking about the transition, you know, this is something that’s offered in most major, um, installations. Regardless if you’re in the Navy and the Army and the Air Force and the Marines, there’s. A pathway [00:08:00] to one of these, um, programs within, um, I V M F.

[00:08:04] Wendi: And at that time I was Fort Bragg. Now Fort Liberty, so. Where I had first heard of I V M F and I’m like, what is this? Is this something that you know we can do? And you know, I kind of had that in, in my mind. And then I got, um, I PCs to um, Fort Drum and where again, it was brought up, it was like, Constantly in my face, which is a great thing, right?

[00:08:27] Wendi: Because I was an HR professional and I, I knew that there were resources out there for me even before I was ready to physically, you know, transition. And so the beauty of. I V M F promoting onwards opportunity. There’s, um, v uh, V wise training, so many opportunities for different career paths, I think is really what, um, really stood out to me.

[00:08:52] Wendi: Right? It wasn’t a, you know, only if you’re thinking of, uh, getting into entrepreneurship or only if you’re doing project management or [00:09:00] only if you know you’re doing X thing. And so when I heard about it, I’m like, oh. Let me learn more. And I was just so, um, blessed that it, at Fort Drum we had an amazing, or I think she’s still there, um, program manager and just knew the ins and outs of.

[00:09:21] Wendi: Anything that involved I V M F and she’s like, oh, well if you wanna do coaching in the future, you should try this. And it was the V wise or, um, boots to business, another opportunity. Right. So she was guiding me in a way where I didn’t even know I needed to be guided at that time. But now looking back, I’m like, I’m so grateful that I had her to help me with, you know, some of the choices and, you know, the, the offerings that they had.

[00:09:45] Wendi: And so, Even if you’re not sure right now, if you’re getting out or you don’t know what’s out there for you, highly recommend that you start there. Again, regardless of what service, um, you’re in, if you’re in the Navy or if you’re in in the Army, [00:10:00] there’s something out there for you to even explore because.

[00:10:04] Wendi: Here’s what happened to me, and I think Barb and Rosy, I, I mentioned this to you. I thought I wanted to get my p H R and I was motivated, dedicated, and I started that track and I started, you know, doing informational sessions as it was recommended to me. You know, I interviewed certain, um, HR professionals in the area and even remotely at that time, and, I came to, you know, my, I mean to my own, um, sense, I spoke to my husband and, you know, I was looking at different opportunities and I’m like, this isn’t for me.

[00:10:35] Wendi: This is not what I wanna do. I wanna pursue project management. This is more of what I wanna see myself doing in the future. And also I. With entrepreneurship, which, Barb, I cannot wait to hear, you know more about what you’re gonna say there, but it really just gave me an outlook of what I didn’t want in my future, right?

[00:10:55] Wendi: Mm-hmm. Because we get told a lot of times, oh, do what you were doing in the military. [00:11:00] Like when you transition, if you’re a mechanic, you’re mechanic. If you’re hr, do hr, so on and so forth, project management. And so, You know, Barb, for you being that, I know you mentioned you were, um, you went through RTC a long time ago, and I’m pretty sure it hasn’t been that long, but, um, when you got out and you went into your, um, national Guard experience, were you ready?

[00:11:27] Wendi: An entrepreneur then, or was this something that came after? It came

[00:11:33] Barb Carson: after? And the best part about working with Rosy is that she can research the things that feel anecdotal and find that there are really trends that for both, for the challenges and the opportunities and together we can affect policy to get things to change.

[00:11:46] Barb Carson: And that so is why we’re both driven, I think, to do the work that we do now. So my experience was, uh, moving overseas for the first time. It was not possible at. That time to take my career with me. And so I felt at [00:12:00] a loss. Of course, I can do the things that, uh, a military spouse often has to do, or any family member, get my family connected into the community.

[00:12:08] Barb Carson: But then what about me? Right? I really wanted to have my, I wanted to continue in my path, so like many of us a pivot. Uh, so I started a personal training business with another woman veteran in Okinawa, Japan. And we served Marines. Family members and active duty personnel with the permission of the base installation.

[00:12:28] Barb Carson: I did everything legal. Um, but that was my first taste of entrepreneurship that I could take something I really enjoyed and make it my vocation. Um, Get some money Yes. And a new experience. Yeah. That I proved to myself this was something I wanted to do.

[00:12:44] Wendi: Yeah. Yeah. And very, um, importantly, I think you, you, you hit it earlier when you said that, what, you know, you asked the question, I should say, what about me?

[00:12:54] Wendi: Right. And I think that that’s like the biggest concern. Um mm-hmm. Just when you said that, I literally asked the same [00:13:00] question when. I was getting out because we were dual military, and so for those of you that are dual military, you’ll know that it’s not only. Tough when it comes to being in the military together, especially if you have kids and all of these, uh, um, additional, um, key factors that you both have to, um, face when you’re in the service, but also when you’re transitioning, it’s a very difficult, um, kind like road to be on because you’re both thinking.

[00:13:32] Wendi: Of your careers. And so it was very difficult for my husband and I to, um, be 100% on what it could be, you know, when we get out. But I am a firm believer, um, that, you know, God is always behind everything, right? So he knew that we wanted it to, to get out eventually, we just didn’t know when. So my husband was medically retired.

[00:13:58] Wendi: And it, he got hurt on [00:14:00] one of the jumps. So here goes our like rollercoaster, right? Like, okay, time to tighten our seatbelt and really start actually planning and focusing. So, On life after the military, how can we do that while we’re still in? And I think that’s everyone’s challenge. Everyone’s challenge is how do I start planning for the unknown and how do I, I start planning now in the unknown because a lot of our careers in the military, we, we get told kind of like where we need to be, you know, certain deadlines when we’re gonna PCs, but then there are moments when you don’t know, right?

[00:14:38] Wendi: And so I think. When you mentioned, you know, what about me? You know, I asked myself that, that same question. Now that my husband’s, you know, he now found his career, everything’s great. Now I can submit my packet and do it, you know, the typical way of, you know, submitting my refund packet that I’m separating and I know that I’ll be out in, you know, within a [00:15:00] year.

[00:15:00] Wendi: And how do I start preparing, but at the same time, I know that there are so many other obligations that I have, right? I’m still a wife, I am still a mother. I still want to have my career, but I want to pivot. I don’t want to do hr. I don’t want to do, you know, uh, air traffic controller anymore. I don’t wanna just jump out of airplanes.

[00:15:22] Wendi: I want to do something else. And so, When we have, you know, people like Cube, Barb and Rosy, like you mentioned, Rosy’s over here, you know, collecting data and doing research, and how do we now focus on, um, providing this to, to bigger. Um, D O D and saying, Hey, this is where women are with their careers. How can we also help them?

[00:15:47] Wendi: Because it’s a whole separate container in my mind. And so Rosy, if you can elaborate on that, you know, with maybe even. Yeah, your experience when you were getting out or how, how that [00:16:00] happened? Yeah.

[00:16:01] Rosy Vasquez Maury: Well, I think I said this in the pre-meeting, and I think there is the transition process and then there’s separation and they’re not necessarily the same, and I feel like.

[00:16:12] Rosy Vasquez Maury: Anybody, and it’s not just military goes through various pivots, changes careers. Uh, you, you kind of like, you get older and you’re like, I don’t wanna do anymore. It’s common, right? Um, we all go through these transitional periods. For sure and, and certainly small businesses, it’s something that happens immediately, but certainly as, as one gets older, you probably wanna start a business that has meaning to it.

[00:16:39] Rosy Vasquez Maury: You’re probably really tired of working for somebody else and so forth and so on. Or in Barb’s case where traditional employment opportunities didn’t exist. So you create your own opportunities for sure. I think these are all common stories. Um, for sure. So I guess, I guess what I wanna say from the research perspective, you know, we did work on a paper, we [00:17:00] talk about we shouldn’t think of transition at the point of separation.

[00:17:03] Rosy Vasquez Maury: We really need to think about a career journey, and certainly when we’re separating, because, you know, our, our spouses may still be serving. We may wanna think about a particular path, uh, pathway that is flexible, right? We may wanna think of a small business opportunity because ideally you should be able to have a little bit more liberty of making choices or doing things as.

[00:17:27] Rosy Vasquez Maury: But I, I think at the end of the day, you don’t wanna funnel people down a narrow pathway. You wanna make sure there’s a whole lot of opportunities at 0.0 separation, but also afterwards because you know, you may separate, you may go to school, you may get a four year degree, uh, you may get your PMP certification, you may be utilizing all the resources, free resources, education, training, benefits.

[00:17:53] Rosy Vasquez Maury: Uh, but then you may start 10 years later and be like, you know what, I’m, I wanna start a business. And so I, [00:18:00] I think from, from that standpoint, it’s really important to have these education and training resources at the time of separation. But more importantly, I think it’s, More important to have it post-military life because as you pivot or you know, uh, think about what you wanna do, you wanna make sure that there are resources there for you, um, so that you can make the best choices for yourself.

[00:18:26] Rosy Vasquez Maury: Yeah.

[00:18:27] Wendi: Now 100%. And I love that you. Pretty much said that it’s not just a one thing, right? Like we can’t just see it as a transition, um, in general, but also a process and how it’s really a career journey and as a whole. And I think that we don’t see it like that as much because we also have, you know, women that are like, you know what, I just.

[00:18:50] Wendi: Don’t know what I wanna do. Right? Like I actually at one point, um, did say that and I was completely fine with taking [00:19:00] just six months to a year of just not even thinking of what I wanted to do because I was just so overwhelmed with, you know, the things that I thought I wanted to do. Especially when, you know, I kind of felt like it was a, um, a heartbreak of.

[00:19:17] Wendi: You know, when you have like this, you know, avatar of like, this is the person that I wanna date, right? And, and then you’re like, oh no, but I’m falling in love with this other avatar, right? Like this other, um, thing that I never thought of. And that’s literally what happened to me. And I’m like, oh my gosh.

[00:19:32] Wendi: Right? I really thought I. I loved this hr, you know, in the corporate sector, um, language, but I don’t, I, I really want, you know, something more like on the operations and projects and something that could really help me with how I wanted it to then, you know, move into, and that was entrepreneurship with coaching and, you know, that’s still something that is, um, in the works for me.

[00:19:57] Wendi: Right. And not to say that, [00:20:00] I don’t wanna go all in, I do, but I just know that in this moment I just love the team that I’m with. I love kind of like what I’m able to do, you know, remotely. Mm-hmm. And all these other aspects, the autonomy that I have with my kids and all of that stuff as well. And I’m just not mentally ready.

[00:20:17] Wendi: To go all in, but I know that there are resources and you know, I wanna Right. Elaborate more on what’s available, because this is what I, and, and I’ve shared this with you both before, you know, this platform is ultimately for. Everyone that’s listening right now, you know, you may not know what you’re going to do when you get out.

[00:20:37] Wendi: You may not have any idea of where to even begin. And so what I want to offer and invite every single one of you that is tuning in today is to take advantage of not only I V M F, um, resources, but also to start networking with others that have ly gone through this. Program with others [00:21:00] that are readily available to just answer your question.

[00:21:02] Wendi: And that’s simply maybe even reaching out to someone that, you know, that used onwards opportunity or just an I V M F resource, um, either, um, through, um, w uh, wise, sorry, or any, any other, you know, uh, program because it’s not about, If you get out next year, it’s really about when you do get out and it’s so important for us to start preparing.

[00:21:29] Wendi: So important for us to, you know, continue to build our toolkit because when I tell you that networking and understanding what resources are available, it really is arming you with, um, you know, everything that you will need in pre, in preparation to. Your career journey, th this new career that you’re going to be going into.

[00:21:54] Wendi: So, um, if you could just share with us a little bit about either the [00:22:00] entrepreneurship side or even other resources sures, that you think will be very beneficial for someone that doesn’t know if they’re getting out or maybe even thinking about getting out.

[00:22:09] Barb Carson: Wendi, I think your path is really helpful in describing what the institute can do that you don’t have to know even before you come to us, whether you wanna work for someone or you wanna be your own boss, we’re going to help you navigate it, which Rosy has found is a huge challenge.

[00:22:23] Barb Carson: First I identifying what resources are available to you and then trying to figure out, well, where do I start? So let’s just make it easy. You don’t have to know. Just come, come to the door and we’ll, we’ll get you there. So I’d say, um, Take that first step like you did, Wendi, you started with something. We do offer over 40 certifications in human resources, it, cyber, digital, as well as project management.

[00:22:48] Barb Carson: And that’s why not do that. And it’s free because we have amazing funders who find value and want to contribute to veterans, military spouses, and that transitioning service member. [00:23:00] So just know that people are already waiting. For you and your talent, and you just have to pick a path and take the first step and we will help you get there for those.

[00:23:08] Barb Carson: Um, so you can do that as you’re leaving active duty. You can go to onward opportunities like it sounds like you did, but if it you find us later, that’s okay. So the eligibility is also wider open? Yes. We’re a Department of Defense Skill Bridge program, but if you don’t get to us during transition, that’s okay.

[00:23:24] Barb Carson: Military, spouses guard, reserve, active duty. Come and see us. The other part on entrepreneurship, what if you did get at p and p and you decide, Hey, I should take my skills and go do this for people myself. I’m gonna be a consultant. You don’t have everything you need to know about entrepreneurship, business formation, perhaps the capital that’s available to you and all these other resources that because of your identity as a veteran, a woman veteran, there are programs that are built just for you.

[00:23:53] Barb Carson: But many of us, um, unfortunately women when we leave service don’t think of ourselves as veteran. When we go looking for [00:24:00] things, we think maybe woman, but maybe it’s, you’re already putting yourself in a pro professional career field. But that’s another thing we can help you do is get into a network, multiple networks that are gonna help you get the right resource at the right time.

[00:24:12] Barb Carson: And I would love to talk, um, about some of our entrepreneurship programs, but I’ll just see if you have any question or comment. Wendi, Rosy, before I do.

[00:24:22] Wendi: Well, first I just wanna say if you heard Barb correctly, she said people are waiting for you. And Barb, when you said that it really just. Kind of like set this fire in my belly for a little bit because Good.

[00:24:37] Wendi: Here’s what a lot of us don’t get told. And, and listen, if you already transitioned and you’re like, Hey, I don’t need to listen to this episode, or, you know, I, I’ve been through that and I’m still stuck, or you, you feel that this isn’t for you, I, I really want to just say that. People are waiting for you no matter where you are in your career path.

[00:24:59] Wendi: If [00:25:00] you are struggling as an entrepreneur, if you are still indecisive on, you know, should I do my PMP or should I even consider operations? Whatever it may be, people are waiting for you. And it doesn’t have to be corporate, it doesn’t have to be, um, clients out there, right? It may simply be, you know, your family members, but.

[00:25:24] Wendi: If you already transitioned and you already have everything in your ducks and your own everything, please share this episode with someone that you know that is thinking or maybe is feeling stuck or doesn’t know where to begin. Because Barb, what you just said before you go into everything that you have, I think it’s very important for us to hear this again.

[00:25:41] Wendi: You know, we don’t understand sometimes the value that we bring. We don’t. We, we, I think we intellectually understand it, but we don’t believe it. And what I wanna offer everyone today is to really take a moment, and I don’t care if you’ve served for two years, if you’ve, [00:26:00] you know, you’re like, I never did a tour, or, you know, I, I simply, you know, was a specialist or simply a captain, or simply, you know, um, only at this duty station, the level, the experience that you have compared to a normal civilian.

[00:26:19] Wendi: Is through the roof when I tell you that. Mm-hmm. Just basic training alone and just being around other leaders is really. You know, what we bring to the table, not to mention your expertise, the skills that you’ve, you know, built during your, your tour, during your, um, time in the military, but you really do bring a lot to the table.

[00:26:40] Wendi: So I just want to remind everyone that if you’re thinking, well, I don’t think I’ll get hired by Google or by these major technology companies, or, Or even, you know, get this business up and running. I wanna remind you that you do have a lot of value. You have a lot of value to bring and that people are waiting for you, like Barb said.

[00:26:59] Wendi: And you [00:27:00] know, with that, Barb, if you could please elaborate on what’s available to them now.

[00:27:04] Barb Carson: Sure. I would love to. We just covered what is found in the onward opportunity, which is that career pathway. And it’s not just for getting a job, it’s for upskilling like you did. So that is a great, you can just make little pivots.

[00:27:18] Barb Carson: You don’t have to do a wholesale new career. Um, entrepreneurship is where my fire in the belly is because I love working with entrepreneurs and military veterans are excellent at this because it’s not that we’re crazy risk takers is that we are better at assessing a risk. Figuring out how to mitigate it, and then having the confidence in our ability to go ahead and do it.

[00:27:41] Barb Carson: Mm-hmm. Once we are sure we’ve got it, um, thought about, and that is, it’s an incredible quality, whether you’re a spouse or a veteran, to be honest, because there’s plenty of resilience to, that’s required in both pathways, I’ll say. Right. So for women specifically, I would want to encourage, if you’re at the [00:28:00] beginning and you’re, you’ve got your idea.

[00:28:03] Barb Carson: You want some help on figuring out, is this a hobby or is this something that really could be. Yeah, income producing venture for me. Then I recommend veteran women igniting the spirit of entrepreneurship. Three phases. The first part you’re gonna do, um, synchronously, but online. Then you get three days in person.

[00:28:19] Barb Carson: The next one’s in Jacksonville, Florida, the 29th of September to the October 1st. Applications are open. We’re not filled, so it’s not too late. Um, and after that there’s post-program support, which means we will continue to engage. We will help you with your network with some technical assistance. So you become an alumni of the I B M F and we’ll keep working with you.

[00:28:39] Barb Carson: What kinds of things will you learn? Um, first you’ll get a chance where very few women veterans actually come together and do something. It’s really hard for us to, again, identify with that service. Mm-hmm. And think this is valuable and I wanna convene around it. It’s incredibly powerful. And then we can help you with your personal brand marketing for your [00:29:00] venture, doing your, your business modeling.

[00:29:02] Barb Carson: Just the, the beginning of it. Um, we’ve got programs for more advanced entrepreneurs because those same companies that wanna hire you, they wanna do business with you too and get you in their supply chains. So across from beginning to growth. We’re ready also for those entrepreneurs, and I would love it if Rosy could just share a few of the barriers that are often hit by women, veterans in particular, and then we can share as well how we’re advocating for veterans to overcome those barriers.

[00:29:34] Rosy Vasquez Maury: Yeah, no, so absolutely. I think, you know, the, the top challenges for women veteran entrepreneurs really is centered around funding and lack of education, mentors and so forth. So I think our program really kind of. Delivers pieces of that, although we don’t, we don’t directly provide funding. We had tell you about the funding landscape and certainly as far as funding [00:30:00] is particular, um, I always say there’s a, a way to fund, you know, some cases people, uh, may have a credit card and they may need that.

[00:30:08] Rosy Vasquez Maury: And I would say, no, do not use your credit card. There are actually free funding resources, but you don’t know about them. And I think you get a little bit of. Insight about all the various resources or funding avenues, if you will. Um, people often start a business and wanna go to the bank. Well, you’re not capital ready at that point if you just started a business.

[00:30:28] Rosy Vasquez Maury: And so obviously going to a, a bank, you’d probably be denied anyways, but certainly, um, those are things. The, the other thing is, The mentor and the network in particular, and again, right. Um, there are very few conferences or programs that are specifically for women veterans out there compared to the general veteran landscape as well.

[00:30:52] Rosy Vasquez Maury: And certainly, you know, one of the things that I hear, especially for that wise, Program is that I haven’t been around so many [00:31:00] women veterans at one time. Uh, boy, I feel like, you know, this is, you know, people I can relate to. They understand I feel like I belong. Um, and certainly that’s a, a very common thing that you hear just in general about women veterans, about the lack of programmatic efforts specifically for them.

[00:31:19] Rosy Vasquez Maury: But certainly one thing, um, That we recommend, and certainly we’ve implemented in our programs that we initiate and have. Um, as an experience because it really is about belonging, um, as well as the, the, the network, um, and the mentorship, again, you know, we’re not trying to narrow down the pathway, but we really want you to start somewhere, but also be informed consumers when you start, which is probably why we, we’ve kind of centered this model and have ultimately is program centered around that.

[00:31:53] Wendi: Yeah, no, I love that and. You know what, both, what you both said, I’m like, how do I sign up? Where do I [00:32:00] go? Because it just sounds, you know, amazing because like you mentioned, right, you have the comradery, the community, the people to hold you. Um, not only accountable, but really just to. Be there to help you with maybe any feedback.

[00:32:15] Wendi: Right. Any recommendations? Yes, and I think that that’s what is needed, not only within the women community, but also just military community in general. And that’s what you guys are doing. And you know, Rosy, like you mentioned, the, the research, the obstacles, the top challenges. I mean, that would be one thing for me, right?

[00:32:35] Wendi: That I’m thinking ahead for next year, like when I really want to. Scale and, and really be, you know, 100% on this is my avatar, this is what I wanna focus on. And so for any of you out there that are, you know, maybe thinking about a business and maybe don’t know where to begin or maybe think that is not something that you can fund at the moment.

[00:32:54] Wendi: Um, Barb and Rosy, where can we find this information or where do we sign up? [00:33:00]

[00:33:00] Barb Carson: I’d say start at the website, and I know our acronym is a little bit tough, but it’s i vmf.syracuse.edu.

[00:33:10] Wendi: Okay. Yeah. And all of that will be in the show notes. Perfect. And also too, um, you mentioned that there, there’s a, uh, an event in Jacksonville.

[00:33:20] Wendi: Is that a part, is that all happens there or is that just kind of like the. The cherry on top of the event.

[00:33:27] Barb Carson: That’s V wise. So that is the middle portion that is one weekend long in-person. About 200 women will be there. And you know, when I think about dedicating my time, cuz it’s a lot of time to put a weekend plus the whole run up of that curriculum, you’ve gotta get through first.

[00:33:42] Barb Carson: 80% of the V WISE grads who started businesses are still in business. It is a program that’s gonna make a difference. And with Onward opportunity, we are the first ones to be independently validated, but through some great research that Rosy could tell you more about. But your income level [00:34:00] is going to be higher after going through Yeah.

[00:34:02] Barb Carson: Onward opportunity than those who didn’t.

[00:34:05] Wendi: Yeah, no, 100%. I just thank you so much. I’m super grateful that we were able to share, you know, these resources, your experiences, how you continue to impact, you know, other veterans and more specifically military women. Rosy. Barb, thank you so much for joining me today and for sharing all of this great information because I even learned something new.

[00:34:27] Wendi: Um, learned something new here today, and I may not be joining this one, but I will be joining ones in the future when I know that I am. Ready to dedicate that weekend because again, you know, there are so many things that are going on, right? We, we wear so many hats and that’s why I think it’s so important for us to, um, be able to continue to share this.

[00:34:48] Wendi: With military women, like you’re not alone. We, we get that you’re doing, you know, this whole zero four in the morning routine, get the kids ready, drop ’em off, go to work. There’s a lot of chaos going [00:35:00] on, you know, and you’re nine to five, then you come home, you’re exhausted, but you still have to get dinner ready.

[00:35:05] Wendi: You know, you still have kids asking you to help them with your homework. Um, with their homework. And oh, by the way, you have things that need to get done, like load the dishwasher and plan. So on’s, you know, uh, birthday party, and there’s just so many things going on, especially during this time when, you know, it’s summertime PCs season.

[00:35:23] Wendi: So we know that, right? You are possibly at the very bottom of your to-do list at the very bottom of y You know, what you wanna focus your attention to. And, and this is why I, you know, am very, um, committed and dedicated to continue to share stuff like this because we want you to be more intentional with your time.

[00:35:40] Wendi: We want you to be more intentional with your career. Not only. As you begin to think about the transition, but doing it now, even when maybe you just started your military career, right? You’re like, oh, I won’t need this until four years from now. But the sooner you begin, the more resources you know, the more that you know that I V M F is there and so many [00:36:00] other resources, the more equipped and ready you will be.

[00:36:03] Wendi: Even when you think that. You will not be getting out. Right? Like it happened to us. My husband and I planned on being in for 20 years, but that didn’t happen. Right? God had another plan for us. And so when there’s, you know, an something that we need to be, you know, planning for, we know that there’s a resources available and I will say that.

[00:36:22] Wendi: You guys pretty much hit hit on the, the top three things that we as humans con are concerned about, either our health, our time, and our money. Right? And so all of this comes down to us checking the block on everything, you know, giving us that peace of mind that there are. People waiting for us to provide, you know, the value that we do have, but also that there is also a program that will help us financially, a program that will guide us through these steps so that we’re not constantly overwhelmed because we don’t, you know, think that we don’t have the time when, when we really do.

[00:36:58] Wendi: But it starts with you doing it now. [00:37:00] So if. You don’t know where you’re at or you’re thinking about getting out, or you’re like, Hey, I only have 30 days left before I actually get my DD two 14. I want you to go right now. Go to the show notes, check out I V M F, see if there’s anything out there for you that can help you in in, you’re in the Jacksonville area in September.

[00:37:19] Wendi: Go ahead and sign up now because when it gets filled up, it gets filled up. So thank you ladies. Is there anything additional, maybe how they can connect with you on social media, LinkedIn? Are you also on LinkedIn? I certainly am. And they that you as Barbara? Yes. Barbara Carson. And it’ll be Michelle notes as well.

[00:37:42] Wendi: What about you,

[00:37:43] Rosy Vasquez Maury: Rosy? Yeah, exactly. I’m, I’m on LinkedIn. I don’t know if it’s under Rosalin or, or Rosy, but I will make sure you have the, the connection. I mean, I think the only thing is absolutely we have a number of great resources, publication library on our website. We’ve only hit [00:38:00] a little bit. Uh, but certainly I feel like reach out to any one of us for any specific questions.

[00:38:06] Rosy Vasquez Maury: Uh, certainly, you know, like I. What Barb says, we’re here for you. Uh, so certainly wanna emphasize that as well. Um, and you know, I, I know, we’ll, I will probably both be in Jacksonville, so if, if you are there, if you show up, but you know, just say, Hey, I heard it on the podcast, that would be great.

[00:38:25] Wendi: Yes. Thank you so much, ladies, again for joining us.

[00:38:28] Wendi: And listen, if again, you’re on the fence or you don’t know, highly recommend that you do that. Now, if you’re driving, please wait. You get to your destination. But seriously, it’s better to start now and really start exploring the opportunity, uh, opportunities. All right, ladies. Well, I hope that this has not only blessed you, but also encouraged you to begin somewhere, and that is, Through I V M F.

[00:38:51] Wendi: All right. Have a great rest of your week and I’ll talk to you soon. Have a great rest of your day. Chat with you later ladies. Bye.

[00:38:58] Wendi: Hey lady. If [00:39:00] this podcast helped you, challenge you or inspired you in some way, please leave me a written review for the show on Apple Podcast and share it with another military sister. Helping you integrate balance, prioritization and growth in your relationship with God is my ultimate calling. I’m so blessed that you are here, and please join us in the faith led military women community on Facebook at bit.ly/beyondthemilitarygrp

[00:39:25] Wendi: Again, it is bit.ly/beyondthemilitarygrp All right. Talk to you soon. Bye.