Tell us about the history of your 12B Capital, your mission, and the most important details that the world should know about.
I have worked in the credit card process and business funding space for about eight years now. I’ve always been a people person and loved working with business owners, getting to know their stories and providing them solutions that would help their businesses grow. The problem I kept running into was that you could only do so much for clients when someone else is making the rules. I arrived at a point where I realized that if I wanted to make the most of my efforts I needed to have full control. So, I started my business with the idea that things could be accomplished better. It seemed that nobody wanted to build real relationships with clients anymore and that was truly hurting the industry. Also, the way the industry has operated continues to have a negative impact on the way it’s viewed in the business community. I set out to cut through all of the fast talk and unrealistic promises; I wanted to connect with people. I wanted them to know that we are in this together and that their success is my success.
What does the future look like for 12B Capital?
Disruption, plain and simple. I am going to keep fighting to show business owners that things can be done differently in this space. Just because they have been done wrong in the past doesn’t mean it has to be that way. This is actually an exciting time for 12B Capital, we recently launched a program called 12B Gives and I truly believe it’s going to change the face of the credit card processing world! Through our program, we are bringing for-profit and non-profit businesses together to create a mutually beneficial relationship. We have created a way for non-profits to offer their potential business donors a gift rather than asking for a donation. This is done by leveraging the businesses credit card processing, and we guarantee that we will meet or beat their current rate. But that’s what everyone says, so we don’t stop there. As a company, 12B Capital takes a portion of the fees the business owner pays and donates it to the non-profit who creates that relationship. This is done for as long as the business owner chooses to work with us. Furthermore, this creates an opportunity for the business owner to support a worthy cause without spending any more than they currently are, and more often than not we end up saving them money.
How has your military training or your experience with veterans affected your leadership, career, or business in the civilian world?
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for my time in the military. The confidence that I gained is invaluable in my everyday interactions with the people around me. Unfortunately, my service also brought loss into my life as well. I struggled for a long time to get it together after I re-entered “the real world.” I lost my best friend in 2009, he never entirely made it out of that struggle. But that pain has led me to do what I’m doing today, that loss truly inspired the first non-profit that we started working with. I more or less stalked a local organization called The Wyakin Foundation until they agreed to sit down with me to discuss what we were trying to do with our 12B Gives program. This group got me fired up because they are serving local veterans and helping them reintegrate through education and job placement. My passion for their cause made me realize how valuable something like this could be for all types of non-profits all over the world as well as the business owners that choose to support them.
What advice do you have for veterans and military spouses that are aspiring to become entrepreneurs?Â
Do it! I struggled for a long time trying to make up my mind about what to do, and it was pointless. If you have the work ethic, the knowledge, and the desire, get out there and make it happen. It isn’t going to be easy, and there are going to be times that you wanted to quit, but I’m sure you have all had that same feeling as a military member or Milspouse. Don’t be afraid to take the leap; military service breeds the best entrepreneurs in my very biased opinion! My most important piece of advice is to let people in; you aren’t going to be able to do it alone. Ask questions and take advice, even if you don’t like it or it hurts your ego. Get over it and accept that there are a lot of things you’re good at and there are a lot of things you aren’t good at. Go out there and find the people that specialize in the areas where you are weak, you will be better for it!
What people, books, or other resources have influenced your business?
The number one person who has influenced my business is my wife. She is the one person that believed in me, while I was doubting myself and others weren’t sure I was making the right move she was my rock. I couldn’t do any of this without her.
My friend Jon that I lost in 2009 has been a significant influence on me. Losing him showed me that life is precious and that we need to be proactive in caring for ourselves. Things aren’t always going to be easy, and many times it’s on us to ask for the help we need. I didn’t do very well at this for a long time; I just wish it hadn’t taken his death to make me realize it.
My grandfather taught me what it was to be a man and taught me to know a just enough about a lot of things and I would always be useful. He taught me to be giving with my time and efforts, sometimes to a fault!
Finally, I have recently been inspired by a couple of people who I’ve met. First is Jason Sisneros who owns Anton J Global and spoke at an event I attended. His views on the world and how you can make a difference just by showing up have hugely changed my perspective. I’ve also been impacted by a woman named Sherry Watson who runs The Power of Purpose, an organization that helps non-profits succeed. She was one of the chief architects of the Americans with Disabilities Act. She fought through her own disability to create change in a world where certain disabled people could not even fly on a plane because they were considered a fire hazard. Our chance meeting led to our mutual passion for each other’s missions and a partnership that will make a lasting change in the non-profit world!
As a company, 12B Capital takes a portion of the fees the business owner pays and donates it to the non-profit who creates that relationship. This is done for as long as the business owner chooses to work with us. Also, this creates an opportunity for the business owner to support a worthy cause without spending any more than they currently are, and more often than not we end up saving them money.
