GREG MARTIN’S STORY:

Greg Martin is husband, father, veteran, banker, podcaster, and entrepreneur enthusiast.

Greg’s formal education includes a Bachelors of Business Administration (Management focus) from Texas A&M University (Class of 2001) and a Masters of Business Administration (Finance focus) from North Carolina State University (Class of 2011). Greg’s military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, US Army Ranger School, as well as Basic and Advanced (Jump Master) Airborne Courses.

Upon graduation from Texas A&M University, in December, 2001 – Greg was part of the 1st group of officers that signed up during peacetime, but commissioned into a wartime military. After learning how to fire cannons at Fort Sill, OK; Greg learned how to jump out of airplanes and eat snakes as a graduate of US Army Ranger School. Upon graduation, Greg was assigned to the world-famous 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he deployed to Iraq in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2005.

After returning from Afghanistan deployment, Greg left active duty and joined BB&T Bank (now Truist Financial Corporation) where he was able to learn how banks served entrepreneurs. In 2008, he was called back to active duty to support a Pennsylvania National Guard unit on another deployment to Iraq. While there, he was able to learn Government Contracting, from the inside – knowledge that greatly benefited his clients upon his return. 

While Greg had worked for the bank for 3 years, it was not until 2009 that Greg was able to find his true passion of supporting entrepreneurs, as a Commercial Banker. An entrepreneur is able to create something that starts as an idea, and grows to support themselves, in addition to their employees, suppliers, customers, and communities. A Commercial Banker is able to come alongside entrepreneurs and guide them as they navigate the unknowns of modern-day business. 

In 2015, Greg returned to College Station, Texas to serve business owners in one of the fastest growing, and most exciting markets in the country. While here, he has been able to leverage his knowledge, experience, passions, and callings not only serving clients; but also by coming alongside the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship at Texas A&M University, starting the Aggie Growth Hacks Podcast, and serving on the board of Brazos Valley Cares, a non-profit dedicated to serving local veterans and their families.

When not nerding out over entrepreneurship, Greg can be found enjoying life with his amazingly talented wife, Sarah (who he married in 2002 in an Aggie fairytale wedding) and his rockstar son, Grayson.

THE ENTREPRENEUR’S BANKER STORY

In the last decade, there has been 3 major shifts in entrepreneurship.

1. The Shark Tank Effect. Where more entrepreneurs began to realize that we are stronger together than apart. This led to a culture shift, that has led to entrepreneurs realizing that entrepreneurship is a team sport. Where expertise and differing experiences are harnessed to achieve the same strategic goal(s).
2. The Google Effect. Where data is easily accessible, often to the point of information overload. This has led entrepreneurs to rely on experts that have the ability to cut through the noise of information, and apply knowledge to their specific set of circumstances.
3. The Amazon Effect. Where the ability to do amazingly difficult things have become easy, convenient, and expected. Could you image our great-grandparents shopping for a garden hose, shoes, Fruit Roll-ups, and the latest PS 5 game, all in one place AND buying it all with a single click. This has led to radically changed customer expectations on what service and satisfaction look like.

As our world is changing, Commercial Banking (and what is expected of a Commercial Banker) is also changing. I believe that in 15 to 20 years, you will be able to be sitting on your back porch, enjoying your favorite cocktail and say:

Right now, the clients that get the least out of their relationship with their bankers, see them as simply a conduit to cash. When the future comes, those bankers will be replaced with “Banki”, and the entrepreneurs will be able to go back to focusing on what is truly important – their business.

But when, that day comes, the remaining Commercial Bankers will be more than a preferred vendor, that always says “Yes” to a new loan request. They will be strategic advisors that are able to blend the abilities of the bank technology with the long-term vision of the entrepreneur. They will be able to guide the entrepreneur by having a strategic banking relationship. One that is built on providing value in the short and the long-term; all the while helping the entrepreneur achieve their goals.

That is why The Entrepreneur’s Banker brand was created. This is my attempt to provide value that goes beyond the products and services that any bank can offer. It is my sincere hope that the articles, videos, interviews, and classes are immensely valuable to helping you – the entrepreneur – create a better, stronger, more financially flexible company. A company that is able to help you achieve your business (and personal) goals and dreams.