Campaign Update From "IRON" Mike
WOW! Thank you all so for your unwavering support! We've surpassed our initial goals $6,500, followed by$9,500 with time to spare, allowing us to officially public the book in Soft Cover, Hard Back, and Audiobook Format with New Degree Press.
Moving forward, all pre-orders will go towards maximizing the impact of the book all across the country. I've added a new perk for Mega Fans, which includes a private author talk at your organization or one of your choice, in addition to 50 signed copies of the book.
Words can't express how excited I am to bring this project to life, none of which would be possible without you.
"The difficult we do immediately, the impossible takes a little longer."-Unknown
Story of My Book
Black Veteran Entrepreneur (BVE) is a step-by-step guide to empower Black Veterans and other underestimated veteran entrepreneurs to validate their business models, build their brands, and step into their greatness.
My name is “IRON” Mike Steadman and I am the author of Black Veteran Entrepreneur (BVE). I wrote this book because I believe that BVEs are the greatest untapped resource in America today. A bold statement, right? A bold and true statement because when BVEs rise, we take our families and communities with us.
For the last several years, I’ve immersed myself in the veteran entrepreneurial community, attending conferences and workshops and building an amazing network of veteran entrepreneurs all across the country. I’ve met BVEs working on tech startups, small businesses in their local communities, and even launching their own venture capital firms—the majority of whom have goals to impact the black community that extends well beyond monetary returns.
Recently, I’ve had the privilege of judging multiple pitch competitions for the veteran community, and more often than not, I’ve noticed that BVEs launch ventures to support the black community in some way—whether it’s a community-based nonprofit to provide after-school tutoring and mentorship for black youth or an app that serves as a personal body cam for Black Americans facing police brutality. BVE's passion for their communities and willingness to use entrepreneurship to bring positive change must continue to be cultivated and passed along to present and future BVEs.
In this book, you’ll learn how a young black kid from a fatherless home in East Texas went on to attend the United States Naval Academy, serve his country honorably in the Marines, and relocate to Newark, NJ, in order to launch a free amateur boxing program for inner-city youth and young adults.
You’ll also hear stories from overlooked and underestimated BVEs such as...
Mike Loyd, Founder & CEO of Dope Coffee Company, an Atlanta-based e-commerce brand that pairs urban Black Culture with innovative product offerings in the coffee industry.
Carla Bond, Founder of UpSkill VR, a company that uses VR technology to teach CPR and other emergency-response training based on teachings from paramedics, police officers, and military veterans.
Mario Mitchell, Founder and Managing Partner of Mech Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm that’s building the future of pop culture.
You will love this book if you want to learn what it takes to launch a successful venture, whether you’re venture-backed or not, from successful Black Veteran Entrepreneurs who are in the trenches and refuse to take no for an answer.
This campaign isn’t about me; it’s about the countless BVEs and underrepresented founders who have an idea for a venture and don’t know where to begin.
Many of us are still battling racial bias and lack of access to capital, yet still managing to succeed against the odds.
With your contribution, we can start a movement to create generational wealth and human capital for BVEs fighting to improve their communities.
The Book
The book is broken down into four parts.
In Part 1, I share my personal story of how I ended up at the United States Naval Academy and what led me to Newark to found my first venture, IRONBOUND Boxing. That decision changed my life and led me down the path of entrepreneurship.
In Part 2, I walk you through a step-by-step process to bring your vision to life, and go from idea to invoice, regardless of the type of venture. Over the years, I’ve read countless business books, worked with world-class business coaches and advisors, and learned the frameworks and methodologies to de-risk the entrepreneurial journey.
In Part 3, I share tools of the trade, such as the importance of getting a business coach and finding a community, and how we can maximize the impact of BVEs.
In Part 4, I share the context and history of black entrepreneurs in America, the current struggles we face today, and why BVEs are primed to make the biggest impact.
Campaign Goals
Tier 1: When I hit $6,500 , the ebook/softcover editions get published (this is the minimum needed)
Tier 2: When I hit $7,500, the book will get a hardcover edition
Tier 3: When I hit $9,500, the book will get a hardcover and audiobook edition
About The Author
“IRON” Mike Steadman is a serial entrepreneur based in Newark, NJ, who’s committed to improving the economic and social outcomes of urban youth and military veterans through boxing, entrepreneurship, and new media.
He’s the Founder and CEO of IRONBOUND Boxing, a nonprofit that provides free amateur boxing training, entrepreneur education, and employment opportunities for Newark youth & young adults. Mike and his partner, Keith Colon, oversee the legendary IRONBOUND Boxing Academy, their free boxing gym for youth in Newark, NJ. He also runs IRONBOUND Media, a podcast production company that produces branded podcasts for veteran-owned businesses.
Mike is a three-time National Collegiate Boxing Champion from the United States Naval Academy and Marine Corps Infantry Officer, with deployments to Afghanistan and Japan/Philippines. He’s currently a Hoover Veteran Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, a public policy think tank promoting the principles of individual, economic, and political freedom. His goal is to raise 1.5 million dollars to build the first-ever IRONBOUND Courage Academy, a 5,000 sq. ft. boxing facility and small business incubator space for Newark’s youth and young adults. Through his efforts growing IRONBOUND Boxing and IRONBOUND Media, Mike has established himself as a high-profile veteran advocate and the new face of social entrepreneurship.
To learn more, visit www.IRONBOUNDBoxing.org and www.IRONBOUNDMedia.com
International Preorders
For international preorders, please do the following:
Risks & Challenges
The biggest challenge with publishing a book is delivering the finished book to the backer, specifically my mailing of the book to you. I have eliminated this risk
by building into the campaign the mailing and shipping costs of your signed copies to you within each pre-order tier. For international backers, please see section above.
The risk of delivering the pre-sale copies of my book is contingent on the publisher we use. I will be working closely with
New Degree Press to make sure we get the earliest possible ship date of the signed book copy to you. We will keep all pre-sale backers up-to-date as my book hits each key milestone and publishes. You will know when the copies are expected to ship.
Other Ways You Can Help
Not everyone can support, but that doesn't mean you can't get something out of it!
I will reward the
top 3 people who
refer the most backers at the end of the campaign (30 days). Here's how:
- At the top of the campaign page, you will see the "share" buttons. Click on the "chain" icon to get a custom link just for you. (Note: don't use the URL in the browser window as it won't work to track referrals and you won't get credit ?)
- Copy that link and paste it on your social media, email it to a friend, or text a fellow book lover.
- When someone clicks on that link and backs the book, you get 1 entry!
Please use #BlackVeteranEntrepreneur and tag me as well as my publisher, New Degree Press, so we can help amplify your efforts!
Tag:
Instragram - @ironmikesteadman/ @newdegreepress
Facebook - N/A / @NewDegreePress
Twitter - @ironmikeBVE / @NewDegreePress
Thank you so much for of all of your love and support!
Thanks again,
"IRON" Mike Steadman