What does it take to turn an idea into a movement? This week on Table Talk Tuesday, Pamela Stone sits down with Regina Rembert, founder of Think Veterans First, a Columbus, Ohio nonprofit leading a nationwide movement to champion the economic power of veteran-owned businesses.

Regina is a 22-year Army Reserve veteran and a proud Buckeye. She started Think Veterans First in 2020, during the pandemic, because no “shop local” movement was centered on veteran-owned businesses. Now she’s building a network, hosting expos that draw people from across the country, and creating an app to make veteran-owned businesses easy to find.

In this episode:

• How the pandemic pushed Regina to start Think Veterans First
• The Vet Ohio Expo: 43 businesses in 2021, and exhibitors now coming from across the country
• Owned By a Vet, an app in the works that will list veteran-owned businesses nationwide
• A story about Precision Pest Control, an Air Force veteran’s business
• Why supporting veterans is more than financial
• Advice for veterans with a business idea they keep putting off

Upcoming events:

Buy Vet Business Expo Friday, October 23 | 1:00-4:00 PM Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH A kickoff to Buy Veteran Week (Nov 1-8). Shop and network with veteran-owned businesses.

VetStravaganza Friday, November 6 | Doors 6:30 PM, program 7:00-10:00 PM Villa Milano, Columbus, OH A celebration of Think Veterans First’s sixth year, with five veteran acts, judges, awards, a buffet dinner, a cash bar, and a live band. Tickets: $50 veterans | $75 general public | Table of 8: $400 Search “VetStravaganza” on Eventbrite, or register at thinkveteransfirst.org/vetstravaganza

Connect with Think Veterans First: Website: www.thinkveteransfirst.org (volunteer tab on the site) Email Regina: Rembert30@gmail.com Monthly newsletter (first Sunday of each month): send Regina your email to join Also on Facebook and LinkedIn

Chapters: 00:00 Welcome and introduction 01:00 Meet Regina Rembert 03:00 Founding Think Veterans First 05:00 Building a nationwide network 07:00 The Owned By a Vet app 08:00 Veteran success stories 11:00 Upcoming events: Buy Vet Business Expo 13:00 VetStravaganza 16:00 Newsletter, website, and wrap-up 18:00 Advice for aspiring veteran entrepreneurs 19:30 Closing and sign-off

Be a guest: Are you a nonprofit leader with a vision? Table Talk Tuesday is looking for its next guest. Email visionsmadellc@gmail.com.

Table Talk Tuesday is a Vision Made Media production.

Every episode starts with a vision and ends with impact.