Episode 18 Category Creative Arts & Entertainment Amanda Csombok

Summary Amanda's background and upbringing @ 0:00 Amanda was born and raised in Houston, Texas, the only girl in a family of three brothers. She had a challenging upbringing, with an absent father who was a convicted felon. Her grandparents and a supportive high school teacher, Miss Foster, were influential in her life and inspired her to want to help others. Amanda was initially interested in becoming a doctor, but later pursued firefighting and joined the Army, though her military service was cut short due to injury.Transitioning from military to entrepreneurship @ 5:23 After leaving the military, Amanda worked as an executive assistant at the Houston Boat Show, where she gained valuable experience in sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship. This experience, combined with her desire to help veterans, led her to start her own organization, Veterans Helping Veterans MOCO, in April 2022. The Veterans Helping Veterans MOCO organization @ 32:14Veterans Helping Veterans MOCO is a semi-annual event that provides resources, employment opportunities, and recreational activities for veterans and their families. The organization aims to help veterans navigate the transition to civilian life, access benefits and services, and prevent veteran homelessness. The events feature vendors, live music, food, and activities for children, all in a secure and comfortable environment for veterans.Challenges and lessons learned @ 47:41 Amanda has faced challenges in her entrepreneurial journey, such as dealing with rejections and learning to accept "no" responses from potential sponsors or vendors. However, she has learned to be persistent, network effectively, and adapt her sales pitch to overcome these obstacles. She emphasizes the importance of learning from setbacks and maintaining a positive, grateful attitude.Future plans and event details @ 55:31Amanda plans To continue hosting these events twice a year, with the larger fall event focused on growing the organization and potentially moving to a larger venue like the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in the future.