Hey there, listener! Thank you for checking out our older seasons! As of September 2025, we have revamped our website! So if any episodes or links seem to be missing, don't hesitate to contact Jen at jen@holdingdownthefortpodcast.com
---
204: Iman McDonnaugh-Brown Blends Trinidadian Heritage and Family Values with Her Entrepreneurial Spirit
Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/06dSrIdvVXE
How does your cultural heritage influence your personal and professional life? For Iman McDonnaugh-Brown, she shares her journey from a modeling career to founding "We Are Wonderfully Made," a business that celebrates her Trinidadian heritage through natural and flavorful pepper sauces.
As a military spouse, Iman navigates the complexities of frequent moves and building a business that reflects her family's legacy. Moreover, Iman opens up about the profound impact of losing her son, Andreas Darius Brown, and how this personal tragedy has deepened her commitment to family, resilience, and making a positive impact through her entrepreneurial ventures. Listen in as Iman discusses the power of embracing one's roots, the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, and the enduring strength of family bonds in the face of loss.
Resources Mentioned:
Additional Resources Mentioned:
Learn about The Price of Freedom Foundation, which is dedicated to serving Gold Star Families by telling the stories of their cherished fallen: https://priceoffreedomfoundation.org/
Read about Jen's family history and story about her father in the book, Silent Soul: The MM1 Alfonso Apdal Amos Story (The Price of Freedom Chronicles - Cold War Era) https://a.co/d/2BobnNH
As of Fall 2025, we have revamped our site! So if any episodes or links seem to be missing, don't hesitate to contact Jen at jen@holdingdownthefortpodcast.com
--
Our main sponsor, US VetWealth, proudly offers Life Insurance and Annuity Strategies for The High-Income Military Retiree. Let's help you capitalize on your above-average health and substantial income-earning potential for post-military life. Free military retirement calculator is available at https://usvetwealth.com/
SHOW'S HISTORY FROM SEP 2023 to NOV 2024:
For Season 8 and 9, we showcased our partnership with Blue Water Advisors who brings needed change to our Veteran Senior Leaders, One Career Progression at a Time. Learn more at https://www.bluewater-advisors.com/
For Seasons 7, 8, and 9 (from episodes 152 to 214), the show partnered with The Rosie Network to showcase Service2CEO Graduates. Read more at https://www.flipsnack.com/5C757FD6AED/military-entrepreneur-magazine-spring-2025/full-view.html?p=39
RECOGNITION:
In the Fall of 2023, Jen Amos was sought after by InDependent to co-host the 8th annual InDependent Wellness Summit™.
In August 2022, Jen Amos' work on the podcast was recognized by Disney Institute and she was hand-selected as the only non-Disney employee to moderate the first Military Spouse Employment panel for the Veterans Institute Summit.
March 2022, former co-host Jenny Lynne has voted the 2022 Naval Station Norfolk Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year.
November 2020, Jen Amos was awarded “Media Professional of the Year” at The Rosie Network Entrepreneur Awards! The show continued to collect award nominations in the following years. In September 2021, the show made the Final Slate in the 16th Annual People's Choice Podcast Awards for the Government & Organizations category. In November 2021, the show was an Award Finalist for the 5th Annual National Veteran & Military Spouse Entrepreneur Awards. December 2021, the show was a Golden Crane Podcast Awards Nominee. September 2022, the show was a Finalist for the 13th Annual Plutus Awards presented by Capital Group for “Best Military Personal Finance Content.”
Holding Down the Fort has also been featured in multiple media outlets including Military Entrepreneur (M.E.) Magazine, MOAA’s Never Stop Learning Podcast, The Leadership Void Podcast, Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast, Sisters in Service Podcast, Get 2 Vet, Blue Star Families of Dayton & Southwestern Ohio, Legacy Magazine, U.S. Veterans Magazine, The American MilSpouse, VeteranCrowd Network, It's a Military Life, VirtForce, Military Veteran Dad Podcast, and much more.
ENJOY THE SHOW?
Kindly leave us a 5-Star review on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/30SJ7NW, Podchaser https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/holding-down-the-fort-by-us-ve-890888, or write a LinkedIn Recommendation for Jen https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenamos/edit/forms/recommendation/write/
