Todd Connor

Todd Connor is the Founder and CEO of Bunker Labs, a national organization in 14 cities that helps military veterans start and grow businesses. After serving in the military, he earned his MBA, went into management consulting, started two of his own businesses and then launched Bunker Labs which supports approximately 310 entrepreneurs across the country. He was on the 2015 Crain's Chicago 40 Under 40 list.

Interview Notes

• 0:34  - A little more about Todd. Todd's career began when he joined the navy while in college. He wanted to do something bigger than himself and serve his country. Later, Todd wanted to start his own business, and hasn't looked back. In 2014 he started Bunker Labs to give back to military veterans.
• 9:47 - Todd was on Chicago Crane's 40 Under 40  in 2015. Both a function of what he was doing with Bunker Labs as well as his business.
• 10:42 - Reasons Todd made the 40 Under 40 list: If you ask for money, you get advice. If you ask for advice, you get money. The same concept exists with these 40 under 40 lists. If you pursue trying to get on these lists, you probably won't. If you focus on being you, doing work that matters to you, having the impact you want to have, recognition follows.
• 15:20 - One of Todd's biggest professional successes: He is very proud of everything he has accomplished. He mentions getting off on the right foot by working full time while getting his MBA. Sometimes you make hard decisions that pay off. He put in many hours and years doing something he didn't necessarily want to be doing but were important stepping stones.
• 17:40 - What does Todd hope to accomplish still? He would love to continue to solve problems that matter to him personally. He loves entrepreneurialism with public impact. That being said, no agenda for what's next.
• 21:00 - Outside of the office Todd enjoys staying physically fit. He tries to pay attention to things outside his sphere. He's an avid reader.

Lightning Round

• 22:20 - Short answer. No.
• 22:37 - A book that's had a significant impact on Todd: Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
• 23:01 - Todd gets energy from the entrepreneurs he works with.
• 22:38 - Todd's a huge fan of getting his email down to 0 every day.
• 24:30 - If Todd were starting his career over - he would continue working hard and be willing to start things without knowing the end.
• 25:00 - If Todd were starting his career over - he would pursue things even faster. "starting things is a learned behavior. You get better at it the more you do it." Perfect is the enemy of good.

Conclusion

• 26:03 - Want to contact Todd? Reach him via Bunker Labs at @thebunkerlabs on twitter. Or at Bunkerlabs.org. Make sure to check out his tool to help veterans start businesses at http://bunkerinabox.org/.
• 25:32 - His Final Piece of Advice - Be bold and be smart. You can launch things sooner than you think.

A Great Way to Give Back

Sometimes the slightest piece of information can be the difference between a successful startup and failure. The Bunker connects veteran-led startups with small business mentors who have proven success as entrepreneurs. You can support our veterans by donating here.