Bunker Labs Working to Launch Veteran Entrepreneurs

by Kara Kavensky

Bunker Labs provides community, programs, and courses to help military veterans and military spouses start and grow successful businesses and startups. Lt. Col. Shawn Gardner, [RET], served for 23 years with the Army, where he was known as a "fixer". During his service, Gardner had been assigned to underperforming areas and turned them around. Since being honorably discharged four years ago, he's applied his leadership skill set to entrepreneurial efforts.

"My grandfathers and great uncles returned from WWII and started thriving small businesses in their local communities. It was their grit and determination that drove them to succeed, well beyond their original goals and aspirations," says Gardner. "They took the lessons they learned during the war and apply them to daily business practices.

Bunker Labs inspires Gardner to harness this same entrepreneurial spirit that our Greatest Generation possessed.

"Their generation ushered in one of the largest economic boons in our nation’s history.  It’s my generations turn to follow in their footsteps. Bunker Labs is a great venue to facilitate new possibilities," adds Garner.

After WWII, 50% of Veterans owned their owned businesses and that number is now 5% [of post 9/11 Veterans]. Bunker Labs hopes to inspire more veteran-owned businesses and provide the support they need to succeed.

Lt. Col. Shawn Gardner, [RET] pictured when he held the rank of major during his Army service. (Courtesy photo)

In Indiana, Gardner has partnered with Courtney Zaugg to stand up a Bunker Labs chapter in Indiana.

Zaugg is a military spouse. Her husband, Sgt. Nathan Zaugg, used the GI BIll after being honorably discharged in 2005. During his service, Zaugg served two tours in Iraq with the United States Marine Corps. Once he graduated with a masters degree in Criminal Justice and Public Safety in 2011, Zaugg worked as a social science researcher, which placed him in front of a computer screen every day.

"He hated working at a desk and started a side hustle performing small remodeling projects to satisfy his passion for working with his hands, creating beautiful homes," says Zaugg of her husband. "So in 2017, we started a small remodeling company when our daughter was about six months old."

Starting their first company was difficult.

“It was painful to see just how hard it is to start and scale a business, even with our network and connections,” says Zaugg, who is an entrepreneurship-led economic development consultant for Plaka. “It shouldn't have to be this hard to start a company, especially for Veterans.”

Many communities talk a good game when it comes to supporting and investing in  entrepreneurship, but in many cases, that is not the reality when it comes to supporting the specific needs of veteran entrepreneurs.

“Entrepreneurs and small businesses must be central to a growth and sustainability strategy for economies. Why? Because I’ve seen firsthand how investment in an entrepreneurial ecosystem increases prosperity and attracts others as a center of gravity,” states Courtney.

Data supports her observation. Businesses under five years are creating the bulk of jobs in our economy, and have for years. Simultaneously, while building her consulting firm, she spoke with people across Central Indiana about the need to support veteran entrepreneurs.

Bunker Labs gives Courtney the opportunity to help other veterans and military spouse entrepreneurs have an easier route than she and her husband did when starting Zinc Contractors.

“I didn’t have the privilege to support and be with my husband while he went to war, but Bunker Lab gives me an opportunity to serve him and others like him now,” says Courtney, a volunteer with Bunker Labs.

Bunker Labs is partnering with NEXT Studios, a Venture Studio located in Indianapolis and working regionally across Indiana and beyond to help support entrepreneurs. As part of the Bunker Labs launch in Indiana, they are hosting a (no-cost) Entrepreneur Discover Weekend April 29th — May 1st.

Visit: https://nextstudios.org/veteranDW/ to learn more.