Posted on Mar 23, 2018
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?
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This discussion will be monitored by RallyPoint staff. Please follow guidelines at: http://rly.pt/QARules
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.
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.
Entrepreneurship
SPC
Mentorship
Army Achievement Medal
Q&A
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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?
SPC Jerry Flanagan
I physically hauled every piece of junk myself for over 3 years. I tested all of the marketing techniques, hauling concepts and recycling procedure to make sure I was putting Veterans into a successful and proven franchise system. We now have 545 awarded franchise territories in 3 years.
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?
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?
SPC Jerry Flanagan
The risk of not having a steady paycheck weighs deeply on your shoulders when you are supporting a family. Without a college degree, I was forced to work extremely hard and out hustle my competition to make sure I got a paycheck. Believing in yourself everyday and having a support network in place.
SPC Jerry Flanagan
Veterans really need to understand finances before building a business. There are many ways to learn online including SCORE or finding a mentor.
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.
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.
SPC Jerry Flanagan
Please go to http://www.jdog.com for information. Thanks.
Junk Removal & Hauling | Franchising for Veterans and Family Members
Full Service Junk Removal and Hauling
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
Jerry; your business model will flourish in India, except the junk can be reused to create model parks. In Chandigarh, one man did a similar project and today that park is an attraction that brings people from far and abroad. The park charges fees and the creator's family gets a major portion of proceeds every month, yet the park is now a public place and government runs it. Throughout India, this junk removal and reusage in the public interest is vital to reviving clean and healthy living here. Your business would flourish in India and your only investment with me would be a hauling truck, which is cheap.
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
We would obviously share the profits Jerry and you can trust me, a Veteran officer of the U.S. Armed Forces to do you right. Think about it and let me know; JDog Foundation - a global phenomenon or JDog Foundation - an American Veteran's Profit making machine?
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
The way I see it Jerry; Junk Removal is your initiative and Junk Reutilization is mine. Getting sanctions to build parks; the land and water supply; the electrification will be my responsibility in India. The park design can be a collaborative effort and the execution to build that park will be mine again. Can we begin with a 80/20 profit split and see how it prospers?
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
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
SPC Jerry Flanagan
Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, I do not have any experience in the Medical Manufacturing Field. However, networking is going to take you places you can only imagine. Keep working towards your dreams.
Looking back, what was the toughest lesson you learned from a mistake while trying to grow JDOG?
SPC Jerry Flanagan
I should have hired laborers instead of doing all the lifting myself. I have physically paid for it. Working on the business instead of in the business is what we teach our franchisees now.
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
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
SPC Jerry Flanagan
Your efforts and approach is correct. You should be having conversations while they are still on active duty about their transition into civilian life. There are programs through the VA such as the Compensated Work Therapy Program (CWT) that help Veterans to get back on their feet and transition. https://www.va.gov/health/cwt/ This would be a good resource for you to direct fellow Veterans.
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?
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?
SPC Jerry Flanagan
I do not have a business or college degree. What I do have is passion, drive, strong work ethic and the ability to not take no for an answer. I had people who believed in my mission as I was building the business with my wife, Tracy and created a Veteran brand to empower Veteran Entrepreneurship.
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,
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,
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