Empowering Local Heroes: The Intersection of Business, Veterans, and Community

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael dives into a special segment centering on the business and community engagement efforts of the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber (TVRC). Janet introduces her guest, Kayleigh Fincham, the Chamber's Director of Events, and special guest Brandon Lorey, the President and CEO of Bank of Clarke. Brandon shares his bank's historic journey and expansion within the region since its founding in 1881. He discusses the community-centric approach of Bank of Clarke and emphasizes the significance of relationship banking. Brandon gives insights into the bank's recent efforts, including their contributions and adaptability, especially during the challenging times of COVID-19. Janet and Brandon highlight Bank of Clarke's pivotal role as the presenting sponsor of the Valor Awards, an event honoring local public safety personnel and veterans. Brandon elaborates on the bank's philanthropic endeavors, including the substantial financial contributions and community services they have been a part of, reinforcing the bank's commitment to supporting local initiatives. In the second segment, the conversation transitions to Sabra Veach, the Director of Programs and Services for the TVRC, and Lisa Talbott from Talbott Training Group. The focus shifts to the Chamber's Veterans Business Community Group, designed to support veteran entrepreneurs and businesses that hire or cater to veterans. Lisa and Sabra discuss the group's purpose, meetings, and the strong community network fostered through this initiative. Lisa shares her background in corporate operations and her current role in business consulting, specifically aiding women in finding their entrepreneurial callings. She emphasizes the importance of veterans integrating into the local business community and the unique challenges they face, such as accessing capital and mentorship. The conversation also highlights the group's monthly meetings, where veteran business owners and employees can gather, share experiences, and find support. The guests emphasize the value of these meetings in building relationships and providing practical advice for those looking to start or grow their businesses. Lisa presents encouraging statistics about veteran-owned businesses and their significant contributions to the economy. She shares insights into the success and growth of women-led veteran businesses and discusses the support available through governmental efforts and local community initiatives. The episode concludes with a call to action for veterans to join the Veterans Business Community Group and highlights the importance of community support. Lisa and Sabra invite listeners to attend upcoming meetings and participate in local events to continue fostering this supportive network. Learn more on the chamber's website: https://www.regionalchamber.biz/