Brenda Neckvatal, HR pro and serial entrepreneur

Who are you and what business did you start?

My name is Brenda Neckvatal, and I am a human resource professionals. I started my HR practice in November 2018. I also own and operate two additional businesses in retail and one business provides advanced tactical training for law enforcement officers who utilize drones in public safety.

What’s your backstory and how did you come up with the idea?

Everything I have done in business has been a result of saying a problem and a solution, then marrying them together well identifying businesses and customers who have needs we can meet. Part of my backstory involves my family. My father has Alzheimer’s and I need to come up with other ways To earn money and support his long-term care. My sister is a widow with five daughters and also requires assistance as well. Building an empire is what allows me to continue to support them in the future.

Describe the process of launching the business.

My HR business was formed with my previous understanding of the human capital management industry. Incorporating tactical training and drones to support law-enforcement was a brain child I created while once helping a retiring Navy seal start his drone business

Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain customers?

I haven’t found one thing particularly. I’ve had to try many different things. What I have learned is that you need to be very consistent with your marketing, intentional, and trust that more people are watching you than the feedback (likes & shares) is conveys. It’s an evolving landscape of consumer behaviors and a continuous puzzle to solve.

How are you doing today and what does the future look like?

One year ago today, I “reinvented” my marketing platform and position in the world. The past year has been nothing short of amazing. Clubhouse opened, I became a best selling author, and I have a larger audience than before. I’ve built relationships and pursued opportunities that have paid off, so I’m doing better than I was last year. What’s awesome is that everything I’ve done over the past year is now starting to take hold, and everything I do today means that I’ve set myself up for success one year from now (and more). Simply put, I’m happy with the results and excited to see what happens next.

Through starting the business, have you learned anything particularly helpful or advantageous?

Be you, stand by what you believe, let people see that in how you operate, and lovingly trim away the doubters and those who hold you back.

What platform/tools do you use for your business?

I use 25 platforms everyday, which includes everything from sales to ops, design to implementation, and marketing to accounting. Overall, I have about 50-60 I use between all three businesses.

What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources?

Best books in business I’ve ever read was Beyond the Babble, the Speed of Trust, and Built to Last. I’m part of Ryan Stewman’s Apex which is his mastermind program through Break Free Academy and his podcasts are full of great guidance and advice. It’s been a joy getting to know him, his wife, and team.

Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?

You have to trust your process, and that’s a hard thing to do when self-doubt is a natural part of the process. It’s especially hard when you want to trust the guidance of those you love the most, but honestly, the majority of them will never really understand what you’re dreams are and fully buy into your vision. That’s why it’s so important to find a like minded group of people that you can associate with regularly who support you. That’s what I got out of joining Apex. I had to let a lot of people go in my life when I wanted more for myself, and I had to trim away access to me for those who didn’t have my back. One of my dearest friends is a brilliant mind at business, but the moment she starts to critique my decisions and openly state she’s against the business decision I made, I just kindly change the subject and limit the access to certain categories. It’s not that I don’t want people to call me out or point out potential issues, but if you don’t do it from a place of full operational knowledge, I limit exposure to the realities of what I’m dealing with and only celebrate the victories with them. I still need her in my life, but I’d rather celebrate the good than have to sort through biased and fear-based bad from someone who isn’t fully in the know

Where can we go to learn more?

My website brendathehrlady.com is loaded with great information. There’s a ton of resources available on solving the people problem for HR professionals and small business leaders. The other business I operate provides advanced training for law enforcement drone operators, taught through our cadre of retired US Navy SEALs. That’s where we will be hosting our training schedule for 2022 at aerialrecontraining.com