The stories and content contained herein are inspired by the hundreds of entrepreneurs I have met, supported, as well as learned from over the last 10 years. It is their stories that inspire me as well as instruct me on what well-informed personal entrepreneurship strategy, not to mention a life well-lived, looks like. I'm deeply humbled to work alongside nearly 30 staff and 200 volunteer city leaders at Bunker Labs, who selflessly bring their A-game every day to serve military veterans and military spouses that are starting businesses like the ones you will read about here. They are by far the most talented, inspired, tenacious, and humble group of people I have ever had the privilege of working with. Not a week goes by that we do not share deep belly-laughs as well as sincere tears serving this mission together.
Thank you to the team at Wiley, including Brian Neill, Deborah Schindlar, and Tim Gallan, who embraced the broader vision of this book's potential and brought their rigor to strengthen the final manuscript. You are each a pleasure to work with. In addition, I must acknowledge Emily Drake, who runs The Collective Academy. She's brilliant, inspiring, and hilarious. We all need an Emily Drake, if not the Emily Drake, in our lives.
Thank you to my husband, Andrew, who has always been the touchstone to whom I return. There is no season of my life in which I don't find him both absolutely indispensable as well as the perfect companion.
This book is also dedicated to my son, Jasper. I hope he finds the deepest fulfillment in life, which is to be of service to others. I also hope he is unabashedly himself in pursuing all the dreams he will have in this life.
Finally to you, the person reading this. I think you too are exceptional. Your dreams matter and while you are undoubtedly inundated with reasons why you can’t, I hope to be a persistent voice in your head that says you must.