There are an untold number of unsolved problems waiting for someone to notice them and develop a solution. But for the entrepreneur and the team that supports them, designing the solution is just the beginning of the journey. In order to achieve lasting success, they need to continue innovating, achieve scale, and protect the unique components of their business model from competitor encroachment.

Bernard Parks is the CEO and co-founder of TommyRun, an on-demand and delivery platform for building and construction materials. They will support any project type, but their core customers are pros: builders and contractors. In addition to the convenience of delivery, TommyRun solves the problem of inventory storage on job sites – especially job sites that lack secure storage.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Bernard joins co-hosts Scott Luton and Tandreia Bellamy to share his entrepreneurial story:
• Why logistics is an important part of EVERY business model because “everything has to touch a truck”
• Once a business accepts that they cannot succeed without effective logistics, they must recognize drivers as a critical part of their business ecosystem
• The importance of being able to determine which things are ‘fires’ that need to be addressed immediately from the things that are just noise – in business and in life

Intro/Outro (00:03):

Welcome to supply chain. Now the voice of global supply chain supply chain now focuses on the best in the business for our worldwide audience, the people, the technologies, the best practices, and today’s critical issues. The challenges and opportunities stay tuned to hear from those making global business happen right here on supply chain now.

Scott Luton (00:33):

Hey, good morning, everybody. Scott Luton and special guest host Tandreia Bellamy here on supply chain. Now welcome to today’s show Tandreia. How are we doing? Doing great

Tandreia Bellamy (00:43):

And so happy to be back connected with you again.

Scott Luton (00:45):

Well, we are to continue to ratchet up the list of most appearances here at supply chain now, and I love that today. You’re going to put on kind of a new hat you’re going to, you’re going to be on kind of my side of the table. As we interview a dear network colleague, a friend, and a mover and shaker, when it comes to, uh, uh, what I’ll call it, [inaudible] technology. Entrepreneurial-ism. How about that

Tandreia Bellamy (01:08):

Sounds great. Tell Greg White I’m coming for his job.

Scott Luton (01:13):

We can get out of that. Love it. Well, Tandreia. We love what you do, and it’s great to reconnect with you. And today we’re going to be able to connect with someone that’s in your network, a dear friend, a collaborator, and we’re going to be talking about his business, which has really changed the game and, and really freeing up a lot of other resources and time and headaches from folks, especially in, right, especially with folks in the construction industry that are always keeping their eye on the clock, getting projects done and critical projects done. So let’s welcome in Bernard Parks, CEO and co-founder of Tommy Run. Bernard, how are you doing? I’m

Bernard Parks (01:51):

Wonderful. Thank you. Thank you for having

Scott Luton (01:54):

Where we are pleased to have you here. Uh, your ears have been burned because Tandra and I have talked a lot about you and your growing business, and it’s, it’s an honor to have you here finally in the flesh so we can hear, hear the real story.

Bernard Parks (02:07):

Yeah, well, I’m looking forward to talking about it,

Scott Luton (02:11):

So, all right. So Tandra where we want to start before you talk about some Bernard’s professional journey. I want to get, I want to get the goods on our guests here today. So Bernard, we were just talking pre-show about, you are born and raised here from Atlanta Southwest Atlanta. So tell us, tell us more about that up that upbringing. You know, what stood out? What, what are some of the stories not to be missed on Bernard parks? I bring it,

Bernard Parks (02:38):

Wow. I mean, I have to be careful with all of those good stories, you know, there’s, there are a lot of exciting ones, but you know, the first thing was really a sense of community. I am born and raised from Southwest Atlanta. We had a great community. Um, when they talk about a village, I believed that I was a part of that village. A lot of great people came from this side of town. And when you think about it, when I grew up, you know, I was up the street from ambassador young, from hand, Karen, my father was actually law partners with Maynard Jackson. Wow. So, you know, for me being a part of the fabric of Southwest Atlanta has always been a part of me. My father is from Atlanta, my mother’s originally from new Orleans, but she came down and went to the Clark Atlanta university and met my father never left. So we’ve been a staple in this community for some time.

Scott Luton (03:23):

Wow. And it truly does take a village, huh?

Bernard Parks (03:25):

Oh yeah. It takes a village. Um, and I think that, you know, you can see it from the people who come from Southwest Atlanta, you know, there’s a great sense of pride. Uh, when you think about it, I mean, you know, all of your mayors and, you know, a lot of politicians and athletes and so forth, uh, when they make it, they always talk about Atlanta. And as part of the time

Scott Luton (03:44):

I listened hall of fame to your point mayor’s hall of Famers, the movers and shakers folks that didn’t just build Atlanta, but, uh, had a different part of building the country and building business. So I gotta ask you as a kid, I don’t know if you can relate, but gosh, between mailboxes and windows on knocked out with, with baseballs or whatever, did you have any run ins with those famous neighbors of yours playing out in the yards and stuff?

Bernard Parks (04:10):

No, not really. I mean, you know, I did a lot of football, not a lot of baseball, but a lot of football. We did a lot of acorn fights back in the day and, you know, pine cones, we had a lot of those things that went on, you know, our community was really tight knit and what we would do spend a lot of times up and under street lights, you know, just hanging out and, you know, walking the neighborhood and so forth. You know, you, you can’t go as far out these days as we used to do when, when, when I was younger, I hope I’m not telling my age at this point. Um, but we spent a lot of time, you know, just in the community moving around, but no, I didn’t get into it with the windows or anything. My next door neighbor would tell you that I would wake up and come over.

Bernard Parks (04:49):

And I was the only child. So my next door neighbor had a bunch of siblings and stuff. So I would go over there early in the morning, you know, with my feet on a rock, me with my shoes on the wrong feet, you know, and sneak out the house and go and hang out with my next door. Neighbors to my mother had to put an alarm on the house to make sure that she knew when I was going in and out the door. So I pretty had all my problems at home, not really with the neighbors. Love it.

Scott Luton (05:13):

All right. So I gotta ask you one more, two more questions and then I throw it over the Tandra. And one of those questions is going to be how y’all got connected before we get there. You let it slip pre-show and we love talking food here at supply chain. Now that you’re a big barbecue connoisseur. So, so tell me, build us and our audience, the perfect plate of barbecue from, from how Bernard parks sees it.

Bernard Parks (05:36):

Well at first you have to season it. Well, I mean, that’s the main thing, you know, you want to really season that meat really well and then not rushed to cook it. Right? I mean, those are the two things that you really want to do is have a little bit of patience. And then, you know, the end portion is to go and wrap it up in some foil and put a little honey and butter on there and smoking for that last 30 minutes before it’s time for it to come off the grill. Um, so those bones fall off. I mean, so that meat falls off the bone.

Scott Luton (06:00):

Oh man. Okay. You got us. We’re going to have to have you back on and we’ll take a deep dive into those experiences. But so, uh, one more question for you. So Tandra Bellamy, of course, we’re, we’re, we’ve got the Tandra Bellamy fan club here at supply chain now, right. We’ve really enjoyed learning from and collaborating with Tangerine for several years now. How did y’all get connected Bernard?

Bernard Parks (06:22):

One of my advisors, um, who’s a great mentor to me, a gentleman named George Brooks in tantra and George worked sometime together. And, you know, as I started growing my business for me, operations is one of the key places where you need help. I’m most definitely not that very detailed person. Uh, so going through that process, George introduced me to Tandra and you know, it’s been a great relationship ever since. I mean, you know, it’s a blessing scent when it comes down to understanding operations and really being able to do what it is that I do.

Scott Luton (06:53):

I love that and cannot agree, uh, anymore. We’ve seen Tangerine action on shows on panels and keynotes and of course doing it right.

Bernard Parks (07:03):

Oh, absolutely. I mean, she, she, she actually does it for me. I have to slow down sometimes like, all right times, you know, because she keeps me moving, right. She’s ready to jump in. And she’s not a person who sits on the sideline and it buys us from the bleachers, right. She’s one who wants to get in a game with you. And that’s the part that I really appreciate about her, um, because she’s always willing to roll up her sleeves and, you know, be out there with you. And I think that that’s, what’s important. Um, when you have great advisors and people like Tandra

Scott Luton (07:30):

I’m with you, blessed are the doers for sure. And she has one, so tan Drea gets you in here. What are we talking next with Bernard?

Tandreia Bellamy (07:38):

Let’s find out a little more about the professional lives as we know a little now about the personal life. So tell us what are some of the things that you did before Tommy run?

Bernard Parks (07:49):

Wow, well, you know, I’m a serial entrepreneur. So it started when I was probably in elementary school selling candy apples. When my mother did not know she was making candy apples and I was carrying them in school, but, uh, seriously, you know, coming from school and just being around a lot of entrepreneurs, once again, being in his village on it, it was a highlight in our community, you know, w w w you know, from the entrepreneurial side. And so I first started doing a dry cleaners, and then, yeah, so I had a dry cleaner sometime, you know, when I was in college, um, it was just what, you know, it was one of those makeshifts what you would do is you drop your dry cleaning off to me. And I carried it, someone else for them to clean, and I get it that afternoon and bring it back and sit there.

Bernard Parks (08:35):

And it was only a storefront. And so that was one of my first entrepreneurs breaks. And then after that, I went in and I started doing a transportation business that was back when, you know, they had these Medicaid and Medicare vans and you go and pick people up and carry them to the hospital and so forth, um, for medical. And then from there, a lot of friends of mine, they realized that I was an entrepreneur and, you know, I had some interests, my father and David Franklin were law partners. And so I had some exposure to the entertainment industry. And there were a group of guys that, you know, went to school with me that started in the music business. And I kind of drifted over into the music business. And that’s where I really found my true blessing and wings in the entrepreneurial world to move me, to advance my career and really be known from the music side. And that’s, you know, early on when I started out with a organization called the dungeon family, and that was Rico way, organized noise and outcast and a goodie mob. And so I did management with those guys. Wow. That’s where my life was.

Tandreia Bellamy (09:36):

Wow. Those are some big names. Have you stayed in contact with?

Bernard Parks (09:40):

I absolutely. I actually talked to big boy the other day and was talking to him. I talked to the goodie mob all the time. I talked to gift and to Cielo and all of those guys, you know, so, you know, we’re always communicating, I actually talked to Rico the other day. He came out to see my son’s football game. So, you know, I’m, I am truly blessed based off that relationship with those guys.

Tandreia Bellamy (10:03):

And how did you make that transition from something as exciting and exhilarating as music to now you’re in transportation?

Bernard Parks (10:15):

Well, you know, that’s, that’s an interesting story, you know, music for me. Well, first of all, it was is truly my father. My father was the one who gave me the gift to understand this, that all businesses to saying I have to do is understand and learn the language in that once you learn the language, then you can go and apply your business knowledge. And so I’ve always been pretty successful in business. So, you know, I’ve never been afraid to try new things, but, you know, when I was in the music business, we did a lot of logistics, right. Because what you’re doing is that you’re moving people across the country, um, in local cities, moving multiple buses, you know, loads of people and making sure that everything works, you know, from stage time to showing up to when they were supposed to be in the city to making sure their hotel rooms.

Bernard Parks (11:03):

So a lot of logistics come into play when it comes down to the entertainment business, and then subsequently I really didn’t move directly into logistics and technology at that time. You know, one of my true passions outside of music was always real estate, and that’s a gift that my mother actually, you know, uh, gave to me and, you know, really made me understand that the beauty of real estate. And so while doing real estate and doing some development, I actually ended up meeting another friend of mine, um, because I was moving away from entertainment and moving into construction and development for my second life on business. And, you know, he started explaining to me about technology and actually saying, is that, you know, once my community started understanding that technology was problem-solving that, you know, we will start to solve a different set of problems that we generally see solve today.

Bernard Parks (12:00):

And so subsequently I was working on a construction site and building a house house and always had a problem with materials being on a job site. So that’s how this idea got started inside of me. And that’s what it moved from. And that’s how I moved over into the logistics part of where I am today. But I believe that, you know, logistics is a part of, you know, really all business models, to some extent, because, you know, once you purchase the question is, is how do you get that product, right? You know, that’s, you know, just a foundation, you know how the fabric of actually the whole United States moves. You know, one of my friends told me one day he started doing a trucking business and he said, we’re not, everything has to touch a truck. It doesn’t matter what’s going on. It has to touch a truck, right? If you say something and make it in a grocery store, it’s because the truck didn’t come and close weren’t at any, he shopped the truck didn’t make get, right. So it always went back to that truck being on time. So, you know, it’s always been kind of interesting as well for me to understand that portion of the business.

Scott Luton (13:02):

There’s so much there Tandra that Bernard shared net last a couple of questions that you posed him. I wish you had five hours with your Barnard, but one important thing that you touched on there is, uh, you know, on the heels of driver, uh, national truck driver appreciation week, we got to love on our truck drivers more than we do, because they are the ones that keep things moving. And to your point, Bernard, everything hits a truck. And I love how you said everything has logistics. And one final thing is I’m just dissected. His front end is how eclectic Tangerine, his background, his journey, uh, you know, his father said everything. Your father said everything, every business,

Bernard Parks (13:43):

All businesses the same. You just have to understand the language

Scott Luton (13:47):

To Andrea, that you almost can see that play out and Bernard’s journey. Right? Absolutely. All right. So all of that, and I’m going to, I’m going to move us forward as much as I’ve got about 17 follow-up questions on what you are to share Bernard, I’m going to keep driving no pun intended. I want to not talk about Tommy run. So one of the last times that Greg white and I connected with Tandra, uh, Tom, Ron came up and, and we were checking out some of the things you all were doing, of course, y’all had been hiring and, and just loved the problem that the model saw. It’s really a technology play that solves a logistics problem. Maybe let’s let’s, let’s flip this question first. Tell us, tell us what Tommy run is. And then I want to talk about what, what made you start the company? So what is

Bernard Parks (14:32):

Tommy run is an on-demand and deliver replatform for building and construction production materials. So you can actually go to our app or go to our website and shop for materials, and we would deliver them to you. Or you can order from your favorite suppliers, give us the address and the delivery, address me the pickup address and the delivery address. And we’ll go pick those things up and drop them off for you.

Scott Luton (14:55):

I love it. It keeps things moving. And, and y’all, uh, I think I saw over a hundred different storage have relationships with, uh, if they’ve placed their order somewhere.

Bernard Parks (15:06):

Well, you know, what’s interesting is that we’ve picked up from over 300 different suppliers. And what we found is that our average customer has this to pick up from on average about nine different suppliers. So we cater to the pro customer, which is a builder contractor. Not mainly you’re doing wires, even though we support them as well on, but we really try to take care of contractors so they can become more efficient on the job site and not be, you know, actually standing in line, shopping for materials and trying to move materials around from point a to point B. We believe that we make them more efficient on through this process.

Scott Luton (15:39):

Okay. So let’s pause for a second and Tandra, I’d love to get your tenant that you you’ve got some thoughts around time, around as well. I’d love to get to that, but first Bernard, what calls you to start Tommy? Ron? What, what, what said, Hey, wait a second. There’s there’s my next business right here. What, what was that?

Bernard Parks (15:56):

Um, I was actually working on a house. It was a three bedroom, one bath house in a neighborhood, and I was converting into a five bedroom, three bath house. And, you know, it was that journey of really understanding construction and having to have a trailer out. Um, you know, one of those containers outside where I was storing materials, um, and it just really wasn’t efficient. And we were in a low income neighborhood and we were in a, in a, in, in, in a process of transitioning that neighborhood. And so, you know, materials being available when you needed them was really important. And so I went out and did some research and found that there were no on demand delivery for construction. And I found that, you know, now when you had companies like Instacart and Amazon and all of these large companies, you know, that were delivering materials, it just seemed, you know, that construction would be the next site or the next place for you to now start asking for materials when you need them.

Scott Luton (16:55):

Okay.

Tandreia Bellamy (16:56):

I love it too. After, you know, all of my years with ups, Bernard has positioned himself in a space that really nobody wants to play in from a ups standpoint, we do not want to deliver sheet rock and lumber and bags of cement. It’s extremely necessary. I’m dealing with two situations in my home right now, and whenever I can actually get a contractor to take the job, I know they’re not going to have time to run back and forth to pick up materials. So this is really an essential service to make this industry more efficient.

Scott Luton (17:33):

I love that. And of course you reference your time with ups, which anyone that listens to our show knows that what 30, I don’t want to shortchange it with 33 years at ups. Is that right? 34,

Tandreia Bellamy (17:44):

But before,

Bernard Parks (17:46):

So you are ups was lucky. Now you understand why ups so big? Right?

Scott Luton (17:52):

Well, Tanja really has seen it all. And I love your comments there on a business model because it does, it does appear to me that it is there’s a gap in the marketplace. And not only, I think there’s lots of winners here, but two in particular, uh, just w what both of you all have shared? No. So you got the contractors, right? The contractors want to keep, they, they want to keep making progress close, you know, finished a project and move on to the next one. Right? So you’re attacking any delay time there, but also as Tandra shared there, and she shared a little more pre-show you got the homeowners and the folks that are benefiting from the projects, and they’re ready for it to be done too. Right. And so they’re, you’re, you’re creating value there too. So I think

Bernard Parks (18:35):

I would also say one other portion. I think that’s important. Um, is it that there’s a third player that we believe that’s very important, and this goes back to what you talked about and that’s the driver, because now what you’re able to do is take non-skilled labor and allow them to play a very important part, a part of that ecosystem and be paid very well, where, you know, they don’t have to stay on the road all night. Um, they can actually go do the deliveries throughout the day and make it back home to their families. And I think that that’s important. We’ve been a part of the impact side of really being able to create jobs for people, unfortunately, that would, you know, have a hard time finding jobs.

Scott Luton (19:10):

Um, all right. So one last comment we’re going to talk about what’s next for Tami run, but folks need to know that and tell me how this works. Cause I’m not a technologist, but I believe there’s an app and you can it’s. It says, you know, that’s where the whole technology kind of platform comes into play. Is that right? Barnard?

Bernard Parks (19:27):

Absolutely. There’s an app and there’s a website that you can go and download or register on that website. And once you register, it’s like any other platform you can order and do and maneuver on that. Um, you know, in that, on that website and find materials and order product and send people to go get stuff and just have the whole construction world at the fingertips.

Scott Luton (19:49):

Man. I love it to Andrea. I’m going to let’s keep this a secret from Amanda, because we might be stocking up on construction supplies. All right. So, so tell us what’s next. I know y’all have come a long way. Uh, Tom around has what’s next Barnard for the company.

Bernard Parks (20:05):

Wow. That’s a good one. You know, we have a couple of things that we believe that we’re working on that that’s exciting. You know, what we’ve been able to do is that we’ve been able to accomplish, and we’ve been issued a patent when we’ve have two or three patents now that we have pending that are continuations. And we believe that that’s going to be where we are able to set ourselves apart because, you know, once you start something, there are a lot of people will come behind you and try to create that or recreate that process. Um, so we’re really excited about that. We believe that, you know, we are now getting ready to help and move on the B2B side. We’ve done a lot with contractors, but we’re going to start now that working directly with retailers and executing for the retailer side. So there are a couple of things that we, you know, on a growth and on the horizon as we keep moving with Tommy, Ron

Scott Luton (20:51):

Love it. Uh, so, uh, making sure you’re protecting that API. Uh, I worked at a telecom way back when selling voice and data services. And I had a dear friend named Mike that was always worried. One of his fellow salespeople is taking his approach and ringing in my ears today is you must, you must protect my intellectual property over and over again. So I love that Bernard. You’re all going to be obviously to be build up, to move even faster. Um, okay. So Tandra Phil, any final comments on Tom run to the nut? And we’re going to take the conversation with the broader

Tandreia Bellamy (21:26):

One final comment. You know, we talked about who benefits the up, the person that benefits is actually the way the retailer are the distributor. We’re talking about enhancing there’s customer experience. There’s so many places where you go in and you order, and it takes forever. If you don’t have a place like Tommy, Ron, to get those materials to you, you know, you don’t want to go out and have to rent a vehicle to pick up four 80 pound bags of concrete, right? We’re there to get that done. But also when you look at the tight, tight, tight, tight labor market that you have right now, these major retailers want to keep their employees doing their core competencies, not putting them on the road to go out and deliver because you talking about opportunity costs just like you don’t want that contractor driving around to get the product, those major warehouses distributors, our retailers don’t want to take their precious asset. The habit of them just getting weak retail, excuse me, windshield time either we really truly fulfill a major need 360 everybody that’s involved in the transaction.

Scott Luton (22:39):

I love that value add versus non-value added, right? We want to minimize that non-value added time, regardless, whatever sector you’re in. That’s a great point. Uh, Tandra. I hate to lead the Tommy run story. There’s so much here, but I know we want to pick Bernard’s brain kind of in the bigger sense, right?

Tandreia Bellamy (22:56):

Yes. What else is on your mind? When you look at the global landscape, give me one or two trans one or two things, one or two issues, one or two concerns. What is on your mind?

Bernard Parks (23:09):

Wow. You know, I will tell you is that I’ve always been into development and I like development and would love to see more developers and development within my community. And so that is something that I am really excited about and look forward to attacking and finishing, um, to be totally honest with you, this was something that, you know, kind of derailed me and I saw something that I wanted to be involved in immediately when I started with timing run. But I believe that I’ll return back to my roots, which is construction and naturally, uh, doing development. That’s, that’s one of my passions, um, because I think is, is that it’s much like being in the entertainment business. It’s really creative process is actually seeing something, seeing what it could be, and then creating that. I believe that’s how you leave a legacy for my family. And that’s one of the things that I’m looking forward to.

Scott Luton (24:03):

I love that also creates a lot of opportunity for others in that village, in that community. Love that, that picture, your painted, any, anything else track. And you got, you got your fingers on the pulse of their Bernard.

Bernard Parks (24:15):

No, I mean, I’m gonna tell you, man, is that, you know, uh,

Scott Luton (24:19):

Tom runs got you going, huh? Yeah.

Bernard Parks (24:21):

Well, Tommy runs got me go on. But I think that it’s also, you know, for me, you know, I’ve talked to a friend of mine the other day that was in the entertainment business and, you know, I liked to play in politics and can do a lot of different things, right. And so I spoke with a friend of mine, we’re doing a fundraiser in LA and I called her to my seatbelt.

Scott Luton (24:42):

Well, wait a second, LA, as in Los Angeles, or we’re talking lower Alabama,

Bernard Parks (24:46):

No Los Angeles and Los Angeles. And I said, Hey man, you know, I want you to be a part of this fundraiser. He said, Bernard, you know, man, I really enjoy now not working. And he says, you know, I don’t like to have to go to these commitments and I don’t want to have to break promises. So I look forward really to relaxing and doing a lot of traveling and, you know, doing some other things now and enjoying my family, uh, because what you start understanding now is that life is precious and you want to spend that time, you know, with people that you love. And so that’s one of the things that, you know, I look forward to, I have kids who, you know, in a wife now. And so, you know, I really look forward to now, you know, that they’ve given me this time to spend and do this entrepreneurial thing that they’ve had to actually sacrifice a lot of time with me being gone, even when I was on the road, when it came down to entertainment. So for me right now, I think is that’s, that’s, that’s on the horizon for me next, um, is to be able to do development and sit back and relax with my family. Love it.

Scott Luton (25:44):

Okay. All right. Well, you’re kind of speaking to one of my final questions I want to ask you. And I want to ask a Tandra here now, you’re you kind of alluded to how, uh, recent months, it, it, you realize how all the sacrifices made you were allows, how, what, how short life can be. And so you want to, you want to spend some time investing in those you love, right? It sounds like that was one of your Eureka moments you’ve had in recent months, perhaps, but tell me, you know, in these days where I’ll tell you I’m about y’all, but it’s like I’ve got eight every day. Something hits me, right? That apifany, what’s been a really, especially as it relates to leadership, we’re really big leadership nerds around here. What’s been a really powerful Eureka moment for you, Bernard, uh, when it comes to leadership here in recent months,

Bernard Parks (26:26):

The focus, right? I mean, that is a main thing that you have to have is some focus. You know, why you have a lot of things going on, you have to understand which ones are the fires on which ones you need to put out in which ones you can let burn for a little while. And those are the things that I believe, you know, that you have to really go through and being able to manage that process. You know, it takes a true tower, right? Because, you know, if you don’t and you’ve been at fire and let it burn too long, you know, it can burn down the house. So, you know, being able to manage those things while juggling, you know, is really important. Um, so that’s what I think is focused now is one of the things I think, you know, it’s really important when it comes down to the entrepreneurial space,

Scott Luton (27:06):

I’m with you, the power of focus. It’s one of the most powerful dynamics in the universe, I believe. And when you got it, you can, you can tell it and when you don’t get it,

Bernard Parks (27:16):

Nope. Yep. It’s it’s, I mean, it’s, it, it, most definitely is like a golf game or a basketball game. Me, you know, when you own, and you can have that heat checked and it’s like, oh man, you lost it. You gotta start all over.

Scott Luton (27:30):

I love it. All right. So I want to ask Tandra you the same question. So Eureka moments, uh, what is, what’s been between your ear? It’s here lately?

Tandreia Bellamy (27:37):

Um, starting at the beginning. So we’ve talked a lot about how I wanted to get into academia. And I was looking at how could I, you know, start doing some things with a university and I took a giant step and the right direction. And now I’m investing my time, energy effort funds, and two elementary school, actually Thomasville Heights elementary school. I started doing some research, um, what place I could put my focus, my energy, my time into and Thomasville Heights came to me. So I have reached out to some great people who are supporting me and helping me get things to the school. So we’re going to help them, what their community garden, we’ve supplied books, simple things, rain ponchos for the kids to, you know, not get wet, going back and forth to school. The principal there, Jovan Jovan miles is just a tremendous individual who has committed to helping these kids move forward, improving test scores, getting them excited about education. You know, one of the things he asked for was just more books for the classroom so that the kids had the opportunity to read things that would interest them. Because if you improve the reading skills, everything else will follow. So that’s where my, a new focus is.

Scott Luton (29:05):

Wow. So I’ve just popped over on their site and home with the bears, I think. Is that nickname? Yes. Okay. So Thomasville Heights elementary is in Atlanta. Uh, what a huge, massive get they got in, in collaborating with Tandra, Bella, miss H how can folks, so folks here in this want to support what you’re doing and maybe meet some of those needs. Should they just reach out to you directly Tandra?

Tandreia Bellamy (29:32):

They can reach out to me. I will give you, I’ll get to you the link where they can just donate directly. You will donate through the public schools foundation with the funds directed to Thomasville Heights. You know, we, we purchased uniforms. We want the kids to, to not have to worry about what they’re wearing to school. The needs are huge, and we can again make a tremendous, tremendous difference in the lives of these children. Wow.

Scott Luton (30:03):

Okay. We’ll have to chat more. I look forward to when we’re happy we can break bread again, learning a lot more about how we can, we can support your efforts here, but folks here in a second and you’ll find it in the show notes. You’ll find links to connect both with Bernard and with Tandra. So if you’re interested in any of the things that they have mentioned, please connect and go from there. So, one final question, Bernard, I want to ask you about, uh, as a, as a fellow entrepreneur, I’m sure we get a lot of feedback. I’m sure. Folks that want to be founders want to be entrepreneurs, want to build their own thing, their own business, you know, build that legacy for the family that you were, you were alert, alluding to. What’s some important advice you can give these fellow potential entrepreneurs wherever they are.

Bernard Parks (30:46):

Um, I would say work hard and believe in yourself. I mean, you know, that’s what, I mean, it takes a lot of confidence, uh, to be able to get out there and be an entrepreneur. Um, and a lot of risks and understanding is that the real true learning comes through failure and not being afraid to fail. I think a lot of people talk themselves out of doing the entrepreneurial thing because they think too far ahead, I think is that you plan, but you never know what’s coming around that corner. Right. So, you know, really having a lot of confidence and faith, you know, you have to have that, you know, that foundation of faith to really go out there and try it. So, you know, I believe is that, you know, confidence and really not being afraid to fail. Those are the things I believe that you need to really be an entrepreneur.

Scott Luton (31:34):

I came across a quote just a few weeks back, uh, Jennifer Hudson, and I’m not going to get it word for word, but basically what she was saying is there’s plenty of challenges in life. Plenty of speed bumps, plenty of obstacles. Don’t let your lack of confidence in yourself, be one of those. Cause that’s something we can directly control. And, um, that is, that is, that’s your advice to her advice. We can do big things. Okay. So let’s make sure folks can connect with, y’all both, uh, Tandra. I want to start with you again. I love what you’re doing. I mean, you know, you, you should be clearing plates and on the beach and stuff, but man, you’ve got a ton of projects going, doing good stuff to beyond business things, uh, Thomasville Heights, elementary, and a lot more, uh, how can folks connect with you to Andrea

Tandreia Bellamy (32:22):

Easiest and best way is through LinkedIn. Um, go out, connect with me, message me through, uh, through LinkedIn. I’m very active on LinkedIn. I will see it. And, uh, I will definitely definitely respond. And that will also let me know a little bit about who you are. Love it.

Scott Luton (32:39):

Hey, you know, if you don’t one of these future episodes, we’re going to have to get you in the crew and have a, um, have a get together a look back. I bet there’s some stories there. Tandra. Yes. And by the crew, if you’ve heard of earlier episode, you know, that’s, that’s a tight circle of friends that Tandra had, I think, uh, at Stanford. Right?

Tandreia Bellamy (32:59):

Favorite, as a matter of fact, we’re going out for our 35th college reunion next month. So the crew will be back together again.

Scott Luton (33:07):

Awesome. Okay. We’re going to have to that then of course, interviewing your son, Boy. That’s all right. I can’t wait. We’re going to get into all about, uh, aviation. That’s another transportation episode, another logistics episode, but one with a lot of passion there. So big, thanks to Tandra, Bellamy or Bernard really have enjoyed meeting you today. The real deal. Think you surpassed some of the expectations that Tandra was putting with me and Greg and the team here love the Tommy Ron story. So how can folks connect with you Anton run?

Bernard Parks (33:40):

Yeah. Well, you can always connect with my email. That’s Bernard at Tommy, ron.com. Very simple. hello@tommyron.com as well as you can go to my LinkedIn page, I’m always available. I’m not as quick as Tandra is when it comes down to responding, but I do respond. I do you know what seriously? No, I will say is that you can always connect with me through my email or through my LinkedIn page. And I look forward to connecting with anyone who reaches out

Scott Luton (34:09):

Wonderful and you’d be willing to give up your barbecue secrets.

Bernard Parks (34:13):

Some not all. You know what I mean? That’s, that’s one of the things that you got to keep close to yourself.

Scott Luton (34:19):

Uh, we’ll have you back on, we’ll dive deeper into that and many other things, but it has been a pleasure chatting with Bernard parks, CEO and co-founder of Tom run. And of course my very special guest co-host here today. My dear friend, Tandra Bellamy. Thanks to you both. Thank you. Thank you. All right. So folks, hopefully you’ve enjoyed this conversation as much as I have be sure to check out Tommy Ron connect with Bernard. Be sure to connect with Tandra, Bellamy and find out what she’s got going on. Not just Thomasville Heights elementary, but many other things that, uh, are on her plate. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed this conversation as much as I have be sure to find us@supplychainnow.com most importantly, and gosh, I’ve got about 18 pages notes from our conversation, but do good. Give forward. Be the changes need to be just like Tandra and Bernard and the world be a better place. And with that said, we’ll see you next time. Right back here at supply chain now. Thanks everybody.

Intro/Outro (35:13):

Thanks for being a part of our supply chain. Now community check out all of our programming@supplychainnow.com and make sure you subscribe to supply chain. Now anywhere you listen to podcasts and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. See you next time on supply chain. Now.