Debra Wimpee, the executive director of Soldiers Wish and mayor of Broken Arrow, shares her journey and the impact of Soldiers Wish on the community. She discusses the challenges and rewards of being in a leadership position and the importance of being intentional with time and balancing work and personal life. The conversation also touches on the significance of financial management and managing people effectively. The hosts also introduce a new segment using conversation cards to spark meaningful discussions. Debra Wimpee, the Mayor of Broken Arrow, shares her experiences as a business owner and her involvement with Soldiers Wish. She discusses the importance of giving back and the impact it can have on both individuals and communities. Debra also talks about the challenges she has faced as a single mother and the lessons she has learned. The conversation touches on topics such as expertise, taking risks, and the power of networking. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of perseverance, growth, and supporting others.


Takeaways

• Soldiers Wish fills the gap in supporting veterans as they transition back to civilian life, assisting with various needs such as medical bills, car repairs, and home maintenance.
• Being intentional with time and balancing work and personal life is crucial for success and maintaining healthy relationships.
• Financial management is important in both personal and professional life, and it is essential to have a clear vision and plan for the future.
• Managing people effectively requires building trust, maintaining open communication, and being responsive to their needs and concerns.
• Using conversation cards can be a powerful tool to stimulate meaningful and honest discussions, fostering connection and understanding. Giving back can make a significant impact on individuals and communities.
• Challenges and hardships can lead to personal and professional growth.
• Expertise is gained through experience and continuous learning.
• Taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to new opportunities.
• Networking and building relationships are essential for personal and professional success.
• Perseverance and support from others are key to overcoming challenges and achieving goals.

Sound Bites

• "We do this incredible job of training our men and women to go over and fight for us. But then, they get done and they come home and they are just expected to be the same people they were when they left."
• "Being intentional and going on time, trying to be intentional on time. I'm not doing a very good job about that, but I last year was like, for whatever reason, I just thought I've got to start being more intentional."
• "What are you clear about now that one year ago you didn't know?"
• "Giving back can make an impact as well."
• "The more we created awareness for Soldiers Wish, the more wishes are coming in."
• "As a business owner, sometimes making those decisions is hard."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Discussion on Entrepreneurship
01:50 Introducing Debra Wimpee and Soldiers Wish
02:41 Debrah's Background and Journey to Leadership
04:36 Entering Politics and Becoming Mayor
05:58 The Role of Mayor and City Management
06:45 Challenges and Rewards of Being Mayor
08:06 Representing the United States as Mayor
10:19 Day-to-Day Responsibilities as Mayor
12:09 Managing Finances and People
14:53 Soldiers Wish: Supporting Veterans' Transition
21:39 Financial Management and Business Ownership
23:26 Introduction to Conversation Cards
25:23 Discussion on Personal Growth and Learning
27:34 Failures and Successes of the Year
32:56 Reflecting on Failures and Successes
36:13 Planning a Family Reunion and Celebrating Success
37:37 The Power of Giving Back
38:56 Challenges and Growth as a Single Mother
46:20 Expertise: Experience and Continuous Learning
50:22 Taking Risks and Embracing New Opportunities
57:26 The Importance of Networking and Building Relationships
01:04:29 Perseverance and Support: Overcoming Challenges