In this episode of Drop and Give Me 20, Lindsey invited Anna Blanch Rabe and Rebecca Alwine to discuss a complicated topic—business compliance.

Anna Blanch Rabe is the founder and CEO of Anna Blanch Rabe & Associates LLC, a communications consultancy specialising in shaping and executing the communications strategies for law firms, social enterprises, and socially responsible businesses who see the growth of their local community as intertwined with their profits. She’s a proud USAF spouse, who has served as a key spouse and is currently a key spouse mentor.

Rebecca Alwine is a freelance writer, army wife, and mother of three. Her writing experience include military family topics, research pieces, guest blogging, and much more. Rebecca’s work can be found in over 28 publications including PCSGrades, Military OneClick, and ScaryMommy. She was also a contributing writer for ARMY Magazine and has also been published in Ms. Magazine and The Atlantic’s City Lab.

Important topics they discuss:

• [01:09] Anna's background
• [02:03] Rebecca's background
• [03:24] On operating remotely and hiring employees
• [03:53] Hiring a W-2 military spouse employee
• [05:00] Military spouses can have tax residency, not a home of record
• [06:48] Anna on hiring employees
• [08:33] Rebecca on hiring employees
• [10:54] Tips and advice
• [15:57] Each state has a definition of what they call a business nexus
• [18:25] Staying compliant
• [20:47] Why you should not be operating as a sole proprietor or straight partnership

Quote:

“We need to talk about it with people who are making a difference and we need to outsource to military spouses to do these things for us.” - Rebecca Alwine

Social:

Anna Blanch Rabe's Website
Anna on LinkedIn
Anna on Twitter 
Anna on Instagram
Anna on Facebook

Rebecca Alwine's Website
Rebecca's Full Portfolio 
Rebecca on Facebook
Rebecca on Pinterest
Rebecca on Twitter
Rebecca on Instagram
Rebecca's Email Address: whatrebeccathinks@gmail.com

In this episode of Drop and Give Me 20, Lindsey interviews Jen Griswold and Mike Dugan. They were hand selected because they both bring incredible insights to a very interesting topic that we all have to talk about as we run our businesses and that is—SALES.

Jen Griswold is a veteran, an entrepreneur, and an author. An Air Force veteran by trade, Jen is the proud author of the new book Mission: Entrepreneur. This book is for busy people who are on the hunt for a flexible career. Mission: Entrepreneur is a compilation of stories from entrepreneurs who’ve used lessons learned from military life—work ethic, vision, passion, and resilience—to start and grow profitable businesses.

Mike Dugan is a former Navy fighter pilot and now a licensed advisor for Sales Xceleration, an organization dedicated to helping small and medium-sized businesses break their all-time sales records. Mike brings with him over 25 years of experience as a successful sales executive ranging from large Fortune 500 companies to smaller entrepreneurial businesses.

Important topics they discuss:

• [01:54] Jen's background and how she started her business
• [03:27] Mike's background and his current career
• [04:49] How they see sales and why it scares people
• [08:16] Eighty-five percent of the buying process occurs online
• [08:42] Consumers needing insights through professional sales people
• [09:46] Is sales something you can teach?
• [14:40] Dos and Don'ts in sales
• [18:27] Additional thoughts on sales and how it pertains to military entrepreneurs

Quote:

"The military is a great training ground for any business. And it is especially made for sales because at a young age both officers and enlisted men and women are given a high degree of responsibility . . . and that what sales is." -Mike Dugan

Social:

Mission Entrepreneur, by Jen Griswold Facebook Page
Mission Entrepreneur, by Jen Griswold  on Instagram
Mission Entrepreneur on Twitter
Jen on LinkedIn
Mission Entrepreneur

Mike Dugan on Sales Xceleration
Mike on LinkedIn