Speaker 1: 0:31

I'm Marcus Hanks. I'm the CTO of NetVest. My wife, michelle Hanks, is actually the CEO of NetVest, and NetVest is a virtual platform we look at as an opportunity for small businesses. So it's an online platform that gives small businesses everything they need to grow, and that can mean a variety of different things depending on the type of company you are. But whether you need to network and find other individuals within your ecosystem, or if you're looking to just post job announcements or contracting opportunities, or if you need, if you're a little bit of a larger business, if you need a virtual space, your own private channel for your community, we provide that as well.

Speaker 2: 1:17

Awesome, I love that. And now tell me your story of why and how NetVest got started.

Speaker 1: 1:22

Yeah. So NetVest got started because of COVID, so most people get a COVID dog. We got a COVID business. So for us we were entrepreneurs or still are entrepreneurs. We have another business outside of NetVest and during that time we seen a lot of opportunities Right. So folks weren't outside. You know, you couldn't get out and network with folks, really couldn't build business relationships. So we seen a problem there. So we wanted to create a way for you to still conduct business virtually. So we wanted to create a way for you to still conduct business virtually. And then, once COVID started to slow down and the virtually so standing up, netvest was to try to help those small businesses get some of those resources that they needed.

Speaker 2: 2:21

Yeah, that's incredible that the fact that you started it during COVID is a wild to me. A lot of people are just like, okay, let's dwindle down, let's see what vacation we can go on or fix our house. But you were like you know what? No, we're going to do a business and we're going to thrive. During COVID and I'm sure there were challenges, probably right, was there that you had to figure out during those times?

Speaker 1: 2:40

Yeah, it was new to us. I mean, it was a lot of nights whiteboarding, trying to figure out exactly how to put everything together In terms of the technology. None of us were developers I do cybersecurity, but not development work. So learning that world was a challenge and then getting it out to the world that in itself is a challenge. And you know making sure that you're counting the dollars that you're spending, because you know getting something off the ground is a very expensive thing.

Speaker 2: 3:07

Yep, but that's part of the journey of being an entrepreneur and, like that's the beauty of it right.

Speaker 1: 3:11

You get to learn from it.

Speaker 2: 3:13

And now, what makes NetVest unique and different from competitors?

Speaker 1: 3:19

So NetVest, as I mentioned, is really an opportunity. So you can utilize NetVest in any way you see fit, right? So we provide a variety of services, all of which are free. So that's one huge differentiator from us and our competitors. But wherever you're at within your life cycle of a business, you can step right in and, you know, take advantage of those services. So I mentioned networking, right. So our biggest competitor for networking is obviously probably LinkedIn. Right, we look at ourselves as a sexier version of LinkedIn.

Speaker 2: 3:50

I love that.

Speaker 1: 3:52

Where we don't just provide you a profile that you're looking at and you can type to someone to try to build that relationship. There's a variety of different things on the platform for you to join. We do speed networking events, we do virtual conferences, we do educational seminars and things like that so you can connect with folks in a different way. We also have networking groups on the platform. So think of things like Veterans Chambers of Commerce and things like that, where all veterans can come together, they're starting their own businesses and they're sharing the different challenges and things like that that they're facing, as well as different opportunities.

Speaker 1: 4:29

We have a group on the platform made up of about 70 small businesses right there in the DMV that they come together for the sole purpose of bidding on contracts together. Who has certain you know qualifications, you know, put them together, go after work, and we've seen a lot of success stories in that, in that area. So it depends on what you're trying to do, but you know those are, you know, the networking area. That's one of our differentiators. I think my favorite differentiator is for folks that are truly startups, we offer business showers.

Speaker 1: 5:03

What's that, yeah. So business showers are very similar to a baby shower, but we're celebrating you starting your business, so we give you the opportunity to customize a registry and that registry is filled with a variety of different products. Again, more opportunities for small businesses to sell some of their products. If you go to a larger corporation like Target or someone, they have registries as well, but it's normally from products that's already placed in their store. So you get the opportunity to get on our registry, sell your products to these new up and coming you know companies and then you celebrate them. They get to you know, celebrate with their family and friends, and then they also get to meet new connections as a part of that. So I love those. That's, you know, a big thing for me, a big feature that we offer.

Speaker 2: 5:51

But, yeah, I think that's one of our biggest differentiators, for sure, um, but yeah, I think that's one of our biggest differentiators, sure, and I'm sure you get a like, a pleasure out of seeing like them celebrate their, their business, starting up and getting to just be in that moment. And you're just like another one.

Speaker 1: 6:04

And to get to hear their stories of why they're starting and things like that. So, um, it's connecting with people, that that that's really interesting in that space, because everyone has a different story on why they're getting started.

Speaker 2: 6:15

Yep, and now, how much does it cost to join or to participate with all of this? Can you talk to me a little bit about that?

Speaker 1: 6:21

Yeah. So that's the crazy thing is, netvest is 100% free. We go to conferences all the time and people ask well, how do you make money if everything's free? We make all of our money off of larger corporations, advertisements and things like that, but we don't charge small businesses for any of the services on the platform. So you can host a business hour 100% free, join any of our groups free, so no fee associated with it. And that goes comparative to some of our competitors where the premium additions for putting job advertisements out there or getting contract opportunities and things like that there's a fee associated with those on some platforms. For us, no fee, even small things like hosting your own virtual events, small fees for Zoom, the premium if you want to have more than 45 minutes, there's a fee associated with that. For us, we're providing all those services for free.

Speaker 2: 7:17

Wow, that is incredible. The fact that you're giving people all these platforms and opportunities to use and grow and tell their stories is amazing. And the fact that it's free like you guys hear that Free F-R-E-E, free Capital World Letters that's awesome yeah.

Speaker 1: 7:32

And that's kudos to our CEO, my wife she was really big, like the philanthropy side of her wanted to give back to small businesses. So our mission is to maintain that model and not charge small businesses. Allow them to have the opportunity to get a different audience to advertise their products to, as well as some of the things that those nickel and dime things kind of add up.

Speaker 2: 7:57

Yes, they do so. That's incredible, that is awesome.

Speaker 1: 8:08

And now, who is your target audience? So our target audience really varies on the what we're trying to sell. So, from a day-to-day operations, we're looking for folks that are startups, the small organizations, right. So folks that only have a handful of folks within their organization. No specific industry we cater to all industries, but it really is the smaller businesses that we're targeting, the folks that don't necessarily have that huge overhead budget, the folks that need to attract talent, network a lot to really build their business.

Speaker 1: 8:37

But at the same time, some of those larger organizations, maybe mid-sized businesses, those are the folks that we're looking to really get on our registries. The folks that do have a supply chain. They can now pull up some of those small businesses, bring them into their network and help them grow. Right, I mentioned the organization that comes together to bid on contracts. The beauty of that group on our site is you have some folks that are, you know, million dollar organizations that are part of that group, and then folks that are one person in the company that are really just getting started, and then folks that are one person in the company that are really just getting started and they build that mentor, protege type of relationship and help them get started. So that's the design of the platform, is to kind of mix those two audiences together. Um, they kind of help you bring it along.

Speaker 2: 9:25

That's awesome. Yeah, I'm sure they're like grateful to have like the mentees, to have those mentors. It's just like wow, I have this opportunity to work and see behind the scenes of like stuff I can't learn in a book or in a video, tutorial video or something.

Speaker 1: 9:36

Right and in real time Right, so you can always read something or try to go on YouTube and look up videos. But there's nothing like being able to call someone and just ask a question sometimes.

Speaker 2: 9:46

Build those relationships.

Speaker 1: 9:47

I love that.

Speaker 2: 9:48

I love it so much. Let's see, we touched on business showers, so now we know. And then where can people find you guys Like all this information and all this resources available to people with their smaller business, midsize business? What platforms are you guys on so you?

Speaker 1: 10:05

can go to netvestcom and you can create your account there. We're also available on all mobile platforms, so whether you're an Apple user or an Android user. It doesn't matter. You can find us in the app store there. On social media, you can find us on NetVest. We're just netvest underscore LLC. On Instagram, as well as Facebook and LinkedIn Same thing, netvest NetVest LLC.

Speaker 2: 10:34

Yeah, perfect. And now for marketing for yourselves. How are you guys getting the word out there about your business? Are you guys making TikTok videos? Are you guys on Instagram putting yourselves out there? Tell me what's working and what's not working, for you, yeah, so that's why we're here with you. Love it. I love to hear that.

Speaker 1: 10:52

So, yeah, exactly what we're doing. We have a most of our marketing comes through our social media platforms. We do have Emily. She is handling all of our marketing posts, our social media posts that go out. We try to do some of the cool, fun videos. I love it Keep it young a little bit.

Speaker 2: 11:09

A little fresh.

Speaker 1: 11:11

Yeah, so check them out. They're pretty cool, but she's handling all of that for us. And then we also do a lot of conferences, so you'll find us in the DMV at any type of startup week or small business expos. We're there. We typically get a booth Just trying to get some exposure. We got a big one coming up in Axie, san Francisco. Yeah, I'm excited about that one, just to get away.

Speaker 2: 11:35

Right.

Speaker 1: 11:37

But that one's at the end of end of April.

Speaker 2: 11:44

So we'll be out there showcasing doing some demos and things like that. Beautiful Sounds exciting, something to look forward to in the future there. And then as a female founded company, how does NetVest address the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs?

Speaker 1: 11:55

Yeah, so that's a big one. So there are one-on-one sessions that our CEO is willing to have. So she actually has a networking group for CEOs women CEOs where they get together and they can have some of those conversations. Not too long ago she had an event. It was a great turnout.

Speaker 1: 12:15

There was a few CEOs that were just getting started and what we seen was we seen folks that were, you know, full-time employees in the federal government space that were looking to start their business, hadn't started anything yet, folks that had been established for a while and they were having, like, real conversations about you know, things that I can't necessarily speak to and you know the struggles and the challenges that women face every single day in terms of one, just getting the respect that they deserve. And you know, trying to run a business, walking into rooms and folks looking at someone else as if they're in charge. You know those type of things, having those type of conversations. Obviously, you know funding conversations as well in terms of, like, where do you really get the money and the time? I think that conversation I'm speaking of every single woman on that call was a mother. So that's a big thing, you know, trying to find time to actually run your business while raising your kids.

Speaker 2: 13:14

That's incredible that you guys offer that too, and the fact that she's able to hold these conversations and open up the conversation to this. I'm sure it's like. They're like oh my gosh, somebody understands and hears me. You're a CEO, I'm a CEO. I struggle with this. That's awesome. You guys have so much to offer to people.

Speaker 1: 13:30

Thank you, thank you, just answering the question of how do you do it? You know something as simple as that, yeah.

Speaker 2: 13:36

Love that. And now can you elaborate on the specific resources and partnerships NetVest offers to help small businesses expand?

Speaker 1: 13:44

Yeah. So for expansion, I think the obvious one is helping you put money in your pockets Right. The obvious one is helping you put money in your pockets right. So there's services on the site. That helps you. If you're a for service type of business, you can get contract opportunities. So full access to different requests for proposals that are on the site, opportunities to partner with other organizations. Going after that work, opportunities to speak with the contracting officers and project managers and things like that that are looking for, you know, to fulfill that work. So going after those, that's probably the biggest one. There's also educational opportunities on the platform as well, where you can just learn new skills and things like that and grow in a different way maybe not financially, but grow your business in a different way.

Speaker 1: 14:32

A lot of infrastructure support. We have an event coming up with a great guy. He's actually Mark Alberts. He's an Emmy Award winner, his resume is amazing, but he's going to give the lay of the land on how to get more media attention and how to really draw attention from the marketing, advertisements and things like that that you're putting out on a platform, again free. You probably never could get that type of you know a resume in front of that type of person for free, right? So we're doing those type of things from an educational standpoint and then just in terms of resources and helping you attract talent.

Speaker 1: 15:11

In the spring, we'll be hosting a virtual work conference, so college students looking for jobs. They're going to virtually interview with a variety of different businesses on the platform, so helping you attract talent and things like that. So just a variety of different services like that. When we say we do endless things and opportunities, we really are trying to expand every part of your business, give you an opportunity to touch on something, and that is also our own internal challenge. When we were building NetVest, a lot of folks told us you have to have this one thing that you're doing so that it can help with your marketing and getting the word out. You can focus on that one thing. So we understood that, going into trying to tackle everything, and it has been a challenge, but you have a calendar where all of these future events will be happening, just in case people are like, okay, this is cool, I want to attend this.

Speaker 1: 16:19

Yeah, so as soon as you log into the platform, the very first thing you see when you log in is your upcoming events and it shows everything that's happening on the platform. So you can see there's next week a speed networking event or the one with Mark that I was mentioning. You'll see that right there. It gives you your own calendar view. But you mentioned calendars Some of the small groups. One of the opportunities that we have in there is that your group can now share your own calendars, right? So if we were within the same group and we wanted to all make sure that we're attending these calendar or these events or host events when we're all available, we have that shared space that we can do that, that's awesome. But, yes, you have it right there as soon as you log in, a full calendar of events.

Speaker 2: 17:02

Perfect, Perfect. And I want to go back to, I guess, the startup. How did NetVest come to be? I know it was during COVID, but what rang in your mind? Like wait, I have an idea Like what.

Speaker 1: 17:16

Yeah, so it really was just sitting around. As I mentioned, both me and my wife are entrepreneurs outside of NetVest as well, and it really was just figuring out how we navigate the world now that it's shut down. So how do we do networking? How do we find new business opportunities? So when we identified that as a problem and something that we needed to solve just for our own business, it was just something that just rang true, that it'd be something good to do.

Speaker 1: 17:48

In general, we were both in two different spaces. She was focused on maturity, so helping businesses mature and, you know, make sure they have the right processes and procedures and operational things. I was focused more on the networking side, more of the, you know, getting people to come together to work together. That's how our other business really, you know, works. You have to work with other individuals to get opportunities. So we were running down our own, two separate paths, living in the same house, talking about the same problems that we're facing and then you joined together, and then we joined together and then, three million whiteboard sessions later, we came up with, you know, netvest.

Speaker 2: 18:30

Awesome, I love it. No, I just I'm just amazed at, like, how this has expanded and how you're offering so many possibilities, opportunities and incredible events for people, and again for free. Like that's mind boggling. That's why I'm just like wait a minute, how did you come up with this? Okay, this is incredible, so thanks for sharing that. And then, in what ways does NetVest foster a sense of community among entrepreneurs and small business owners?

Speaker 1: 18:58

Yeah, so it actually is the community for small business owners, in our opinion. So I mentioned the Maryland Veterans Chamber of Commerce. That's an actual group. That community is geared towards helping veterans start their business and get their business off the ground. Geared towards helping veterans start their business and get their business off the ground right. So that in itself builds a community, you know, of veterans that are working together to do something great, right.

Speaker 1: 19:24

We have a variety of different communities like that, but NetVest in itself is designed to create those type of communities. Maryland Strategic Growth is the cybersecurity you know group that's on the platform, again designed to bring all of those folks together and leverage the things and the past performance that they've used to really grow. You have a lot smaller ones as well, where it may be only a handful of folks. Some of the cool ones that I like to see are universities. Some of the cool ones that I like to see are universities. So alumni tying back to their university, seeing how that they can help do internships and things like that for the students coming out, give the university the opportunity to really leverage their alumni community in itself. So things like that are really the community that you're seeing on NetVest For sure.

Speaker 1: 20:20

And where do you guys see yourselves NetVest in the next five years? Well, hopefully, downloaded on everyone's phone and ingrained in everyone's business operations. So where we're really going with NetVest is the private channel space. So not only providing these services at a wide range outside of you know, just your normal group, but within your own private group, having your own private channel where you can do all types of things and have it fully customizable. So all things go well within you know, five years or so. You will see on the NetVest platform and hopefully in every small business across this country, their ability to have things accessible to them like a full AI workshop where anything that's helping optimize and increase productivity within their operations are built right into NetVest on their platform and now all their employees are logged in using that as well. That's where we're seeing ourselves going, really becoming that product that you're using on a day-to-day basis.

Speaker 2: 21:19

Yeah that's awesome. Speaking of AI and technology, have you guys implemented any technology and has it helped or has it hindered in any way?

Speaker 1: 21:28

So we have some to come. We have within our events. We have small things like the AI campaigns that do your meeting notes and send you a summary. We have those types of small things, but we're currently working in the private groups that I was just mentioning. We're currently working on a few in that space that we're pretty excited about. One of the small ones is resume reviews. So having the ability, if you're getting a hundred resumes, having the ability to really read those resumes for you, summarize it, identify who's the key folks and then just give you like, oh, here's your top candidates, that is awesome. Giving them that type of time savings to go along with them, oh yeah.

Speaker 1: 22:05

I'm reviewing resumes right now, and I wish that feature was available.

Speaker 2: 22:08

Oh darn, it, Hopefully soon right. Very soon Very soon, and then could you share success stories of businesses that have significantly benefited from NetVest's platform?

Speaker 1: 22:20

Yeah, absolutely, and I'll start with myself. So our other company does again cybersecurity, and you know, working within that cybersecurity group that I mentioned, we've attained several different types of contracts with that community, with that Maryland Strategic Growth community. We're working on one selling our stock as a service solution with another company but literally closing deals right there on the platform within those network groups. So that's one large success story that I think that I'm happy about for one.

Speaker 2: 22:57

No, you should be. And what do you guys like to do on your free time when you're not handling all of this, networking events and looking at your calendar and setting up meetings? What do you like to do to unwind and take care of your mental health?

Speaker 1: 23:10

So I'm a girl dad, so I have two little girls. My oldest is in gymnastics at a very high level, so I literally drive to Delaware to take her to practice. We're all over the country for competition, so my spare time is spent at the gym or at a gymnastic competition. And then my youngest is very artsy, so we're always hanging out looking at her do something new. She's either crocheting or doing some type of artwork. Yeah, that's where she's 10. She's 10.

Speaker 2: 23:46

Okay, look at her, she's already going, yeah. I love that and also the gymnastic and a high level. Hello, you've got some like awesome girl power here.

Speaker 1: 23:53

Absolutely, and they both are also young entrepreneurs. They have a little shop where they're doing like drop shipping sales for T-shirts and hoodies. That is so cute. Netvest sponsored them at an event where we let them set up their booth. Look at that, yeah it was fun.

Speaker 2: 24:10

You're setting them up, that's awesome, get them ready.

Speaker 1: 24:12

Yes, oh my gosh that's so good.

Speaker 2: 24:14

Especially, that's awesome. Get them ready. Yes, oh my gosh, that's so good. Especially getting in front of a crowd. That's like one of the hardest things sometimes, in my opinion, like talking to people, or like showing your business and talking about it to people. So getting them early on there is going to be like piece of cake for them later.

Speaker 1: 24:28

And we let them do all the work.

Speaker 2: 24:30

So good Now that's the only way to learn.

Speaker 1: 24:32

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 24:32

Yeah, yeah, can't do it all for you. You got to learn Problem solvers.

Speaker 1: 24:35

Yep Love it.

Speaker 2: 24:37

And then let's see how does NetVest plan to expand its reach and impact within the entrepreneurial ecosystem?

Speaker 1: 24:45

Yeah, I mean that's a great question, that's a great challenge. That we're facing right now is just expanding brand recognition. You know, our whole model is, you know, is being able to have a ton of small businesses on our platform. Right now we have a few hundred that are actually signed up, logged in, using the platform, but obviously we want to reach the entire country right. So right now our goal is region by region. So we're attacking this Northeast region right now Conferences, marketing, advertisements and things like that, really strategically partnering with folks that already have a network group or an ecosystem of network groups. But that's our strategy right now to kind of get out there and reach those folks Really just lay the groundwork, just knock on doors and see who's willing to sign up.

Speaker 2: 25:36

Yeah, I love that. All right, could talk to you all day about all these things. My final question well, actually before my final question, is there anything that I have not touched on that perhaps you would like to talk about or bring light to in regards to your business, maybe family, new product service? I know we touched on a lot, lot of things, but if there's anything I've missed, you have the floor yeah, so I think I didn't do a great job of explaining the custom.

Speaker 1: 26:01

you know how customizable, how much you can customize the space within netvest, so there is a a separate channel that a small business can can get where they can go beyond what's currently offered um for everyone else, right. So if you have a specific need within a few week timeframe, we have the ability to do the development efforts for whatever you're looking for from an application standpoint and really roll that out in your own private space and that's, you know, only for your company. Now, there is a cost to that. Everything can't be free, but that will allow you to customize your space and that's really designed for folks that have you know either internal resources that need to use that space or their own following where they're really trying to connect a very specific, you know function.

Speaker 2: 26:50

No, I love that and I agree, like everything can't be free. But here's a taste and here's and they're great resources.

Speaker 1: 26:54

But to get to that next tier, like hey you know, it makes sense and they're more operational things, but still things that organizations need. Yep all.

Speaker 2: 27:03

Right now. My final question, for real this time. Do you have a quote saying or a mantra, maybe something that someone has told you in your life and it stood out or it's inspired you would? Would you mind sharing that with us?

Speaker 1: 27:14

Yeah, absolutely. It's going to sound cheesy.

Speaker 1: 27:17

I don't know who the actual who actually started this quote, but we say this a lot your net worth is only as big as your network. So from our platform that's big, because what we're trying to do is really bring people together and you know, the more people you know, the further you're going to go, right? I mean like, if you look at the two degrees of separation of the people within your network, there's a variety of different opportunities there. Internally to NetVest, we talk about the power of your network, right, and really looking internal to your network and seeing you know what opportunities are available there and then from there being able to do outreach and see within your network what outreach do they have. Right, when you go to that two degrees of separation, you have a lot of different opportunities there. So if you want to really be successful, you know, increasing that network is really yes, I love it.

Speaker 2: 28:12

Well, thank you so much for coming on the podcast today. It's been a pleasure getting to chat with you and I just appreciate you being here today.

Speaker 1: 28:18

No.