This past week I had the privilege of attending Inc. Magazine’s GrowCo event in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was quite an experience! As a Tillman Military Scholar, I was selected, along with fellow TMS Tim Smith, to attend as part of Inc.’s Military Entrepreneurs program (ME). The ME Program, in its first year, has provided access to this event as well as the Inc. 500/5000 conference, which was held in D.C. this past September.

Tillman Military Scholars Rick Schumacher and Tim Smith tour the Intralox factory in New Orleans at the start of Inc.'s GrowCo conference.

I started the week off with a very early flight out of Austin, arriving in NOLA at around 9:00 a.m. and meeting up with Tim for some obligatory brunch and a walk down Bourbon. Just in time, we met up with the delegation and were fortunate enough to go on a tour of Intralox, a company that manufactures plastic formed conveyor belts for every purpose imaginable. From there we met up with the GrowCo attendees and mingled. Finally, Hunter Riley took Tim and I to eat at a favorite local food spot called Mississippi River Bottom (MRB).

The next morning we were in for some great speakers and abundant learning opportunities. The speakers included some of the brightest minds in business like Dr. Alexander Osterwalder, Neil Blumenthal, Jay Lapeyre, Chef John Besh and the indescribable Norm Brodsky. Additionally, we had a personal meeting with Shark Tank personality, Daymond John, the creator of the FUBU brand. We also had the opportunity to listen to political powerhouses like New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Louisiana Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne and, amazingly, President Bill Clinton. These speakers were each outstanding and having the opportunity to listen to them was really what being a Tillman Military Scholar is all about for me. The Foundation gives me opportunities that I would not otherwise have.

Pat Tillman Foundation Director of Programs Hunter I Riley (left) and Tillman Military Scholar Rick Schumacher (right) met with FUBU brand creator Daymond John at Inc. Magazine's GrowCo conference in New Orleans.

Most importantly, I had the opportunity to network with other veterans and military spouses as well as 500 other business owners. We had opportunities to be advised by successful business owners and exchange ideas with a mentor; mine who I’ve already exchanged emails with after leaving the conference. Thanks to the Pat Tillman Foundation, this has been one heck of an opportunity – one that will help shape the formation of my business for years to come.

Last week I had the honor of attending the Inc 500/5000 Conference for entrepreneurs alongside several other Tillman Military Scholars and Pat Tillman Foundation staff, as a member of the Inc./Joining Forces Military Entrepreneurs Program special delegation.

I started my business Patriot Commercial Cleaning in 2011 and we have contracts all over St. Louis, MO. Our mission is to clean commercial office spaces for health and appearance. We hire veterans on our staff and I show them how to navigate different programs so they are aware of the benefits they earned while in the military. They can clean at night and have the opportunity to attend school during the day.

(L to R) Tim Smith, Rick Schumacher, Lindsay Compton, Brett Gibson, Roel Mora

This opportunity turned out to be both an eye opening and empowering experience. Over the weekend, we had the opportunity to speak with business owners who have years of experience and knowledge. Dozens of entrepreneurs took time out of their schedules to meet one-on-one with us. The support we got from people attending the conference was unbelievable and it was very positive.  It seemed like people really wanted the veteran community to thrive and support our new ventures. This is merely a start to the success of veteran-owned businesses, like my own.

From Inc. Magazine: “The Inc./Joining Forces Military Entrepreneurs Program will help veterans, servicemembers and their families start, run and grow their own business through mentoring, education, networking, resources and information provided through Inc.’s special events, business conferences, and www.Inc.com/militaryentrepreneurs.”