🇺🇸 When Duty Doesn’t Pay Enough: How Businesses Can Step Up for Military Families
Every time the words “government shutdown” start trending, a familiar ripple of anxiety runs through our military communities. Behind the headlines and political debates are the real people who serve — and their families — who quietly brace for uncertainty. For many...
Honoring 250 Years of the United States Navy: From the Sea to Civilian Life
This month, we celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States Navy — a legacy built on courage, service, and sacrifice. For our Founder, Robyn Grable, who proudly wore the uniform for nine years, this milestone fills her with deep gratitude and reflection. Once a...
Finding Your “Why” — And Why You Can’t Build Without ItÂ
Every founder starts with a spark — an idea, a problem to solve, a dream that feels too big to ignore. But here’s the truth: if you don’t know your “why,” the spark will fade long before the journey gets easier. At Founders ASCEND, we meet entrepreneurs at every...
When Accessibility Fails: Lessons from the Uber Lawsuit and What Employers Must Do
This week, Uber was hit with a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice alleging disability discrimination. Riders with service animals or wheelchairs reported being refused rides or charged extra fees — clear violations of the ADA and a reminder that accessibility...
A Snap Mindset in a Fragile World
Lately, the headlines have been heavy: violence in our streets, temperatures pushing near-boil, and a collective anxiety that seems to simmer just below the surface of daily life. In moments like these, it feels as though we’ve entered what I’d call a snap mindset....
Honoring the 24th Anniversary of 9/11: The Legacy of Service and Patriotism
September 11, 2001, is a day forever etched into our nation’s memory. On its 24th anniversary, we pause not only to remember those we lost and the families forever changed, but also to honor the men and women who chose to serve in its aftermath. For many veterans,...
The Hidden Cost of Being Understaffed and How a Skills-First Concierge Can Help
According to Business.com, hiring challenges are a top concern for 24% of business leaders, and 80% of small businesses are understaffed by an average of five employees. Even more concerning, those missing roles are in growth-driving areas like sales, IT, and...
Beyond the Sacrifice
By Nila Thompson “Military spouses have an entitlement issue.”  I read this comment and instantly felt the heat rise through my body. Not only had I served as a civilian Family Readiness Officer with battalions of my own Marines, Sailors, and their families,...
The Hole in Our Justice System: Why Solitary Confinement Makes No Sense
Prison sentences in America aren’t driven by science—they’re driven by politics, public pressure, and headlines. We like to believe there’s rhyme and reason to sentencing, but there isn’t. There’s no formula proving that a certain number of years yields a better...
When We Don’t Support People with Diverse Abilities, Everyone Loses
In the United States, over 33 million people live with a disability—many of them hidden or non-visible. They represent one of the largest untapped talent pools in the country, with skills, perspectives, and resilience that can transform workplaces. Yet, far too often,...