Jerry Flanagan, Founder/President/CEO of JDOG, here for a live Q&A March 28th at 4pm ET. What questions do you have about entrepreneurship?

2018-03-23T16:56:15-04:00

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Jerry is an Army Veteran and entrepreneur who, along with his wife Tracy, have created a national Veteran brand dedicated to empowering Veterans through entrepreneurship. Rooted in the military values of respect, integrity, and trust, the JDog Junk Removal franchise system has become a nationwide movement, creating business and employment opportunities for Veterans and Veteran family members. Jerry served in the Army from 1987 to 1989 and finished at the top of his class. He was awarded the Army Achievement Medal.

Since transitioning back to the civilian world, Jerry has committed himself to helping Veterans be successful in business. He teaches an entrepreneurial boot camp for Veterans at St. Joseph’s University, and at Boots to Business for Veterans, an entrepreneurial program offered through the U.S. Small Business Administration. He's a member of the West Point Society of Philadelphia, the International Franchise Association, and VETFRAN, which provides access and opportunities in franchising to Veterans and their spouses. Jerry also founded the JDog Foundation, which donates scholarship funds to military branches. For his contributions to the Veteran community, Jerry has been awarded the 2016 Vetrepreneur of the Year award from the National Veteran-Owned Business Association and the 2016 Man of the Year award from Philly/Jersey Man Magazine. Jerry is also a board member at JD Investment Company.

Q&A Rules

RallyPoint periodically invites special guests to answer questions from the community. The following guidelines are in p...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 5:07 PM

2018-03-23T17:07:49-04:00

Thanks for providing valuable dialogue about entrepreneurship. This should be extremely interesting for transitioning SMs.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Mar 24 at 2018 3:36 PM

2018-03-24T15:36:15-04:00

SPC Jerry Flanagan - Thanks for coming on to take questions with us. Knowing you have veterans running franchises all over the country, how did you test success regionally and know when it was the right time to take JDOG to the national level?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Mar 26 at 2018 2:32 PM

2018-03-26T14:32:59-04:00

Looking back, what was the toughest lesson you learned from a mistake while trying to grow JDOG?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 11:40 PM

2018-03-26T23:40:19-04:00

Thank you for your continued service SPC Jerry Flanagan, what a great program. I am currently working with a federal Veterans company and SBDC to get my manufacturing company up and running and contracting some products with the DLA.
As a start up medical manufacturing company, would you be able to offer advice and or guidance on information about liabilities on high end risk products in the medical field?

Thank you in advance SPC Flanagan for taking the time to come out and share some of your insight and experience with fellow entrepreneurs. God Bless

Mary

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Mar 27 at 2018 10:19 AM

2018-03-27T10:19:02-04:00

Thanks Jerry for taking your valuable time to discuss entrepreneurship with veterans and taking JDog to the next level with us on RP.

As a U.S. Veteran abroad, in India, I am keen on working with you on expanding your entrepreneurship to foreign markets. I will definitely need your guidance, coaching and mentorship to succeed in making JDog Foundation a global market phenomena; a trending investment and; an out-of-the-box attraction. What is the approach forward for us together?

Unfortunately for me, I will not be able to join the Q&A session with you; however, I fondly await your reply to my question herein.

Thanks Jerry.

Response by Sgt William Pilgrim Jr. made Mar 28 at 2018 12:44 AM

2018-03-28T00:44:13-04:00

Did you have a Business Degree or was it luck you made it ??
I went to Business school and learn there that one needs to have a five year plan in order to make a go of it..I always wanted to have my own Business..Will you tell how yourself made it also?

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Mar 28 at 2018 2:58 PM

2018-03-28T14:58:00-04:00

Specialist Jerry Flanagan: IT IS A DECIDED HONOR TO HAVE YOU WITH US; HERE ON RALLY POINT!
I am an entrepreneur; and, as such: I photograph, I sing, I coach seven Facebook groups. etc.
First of all, how do I best reach Active Duty troops and Veterans: to save their lives?
I would also like to know how to best sell my photographs; and, how to record my singing: such that it can be heard online.
Specialist, I am very much obliged-in advance-for any and all assistance that you may proffer.
THANK YOU, SPECIALIST FLANAGAN, FOR GRACING US WITH YOUR PRESENCE; HERE ON RALLY POINT!
-WITH ALL OF MY HONOR AND RESPECT-
Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2018 3:35 PM

2018-03-28T15:35:04-04:00

SPC Jerry Flanagan - If any, what were some of your greatest apprehensions about becoming an entrepreneur and how did you "push" through those fears?

Also, from your own experiences, what key skills should service-members/veterans focus on to prepare themselves for the challenges of running a business that aren't inherently learned during military service?

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Jun 27 at 2018 6:14 PM

2018-06-27T18:14:16-04:00

Greetings,
Unless a veteran does it himself, submitting a contract proposal to the VA cost about $5000.00. $2500 up front and $2500 when it is ready to submit.
Add to it the demand from the VA to be certified by the VA.
What do you think about my statement and how that effects veterans gaining set asides from large vendors to move forward?
I'm not crying. It's just another hurdle. An expensive one.
Regards,