Meet Jordan Hernandez, Entrepreneur and Afghanistan Veteran

Jordan Hernandez is a veteran of the US military who served in Afghanistan. Now living in Texas with his wife, Dulce, he is working on starting his own business called Article Express. He is raising start-up funds for his business through this GoFundMe campaign. Jordan also hopes to help his parents and brother through his new business.

1. When it came to developing a business idea, what inspired you to focus on an online-based business?

The thing I love about doing anything online is that it's liberating--it's totally creative. I feel as though this was how the "American Dream" was back when we had such a massive and booming society. It allows anyone with a vision to create it and get the benefits from that creation.

2. Why did you decide to create a site focused on articles and content marketing?

Well, I started meditating a few years ago, and it has helped open up my consciousness so much. It helped me understand what thoughts ran through my head, and how to better interpret the meaning of those thoughts. The way I understood what popped into my head has led me to a gut decision that this is something that I am meant to do too liberate my family's life! So I'm doing it, one way or another!

3. For you as a reader, what makes for interesting web content--and what keeps you coming back to a website?

Anything that would keep me coming back would have to be giving me insight on something. It's that feeling whenever you hear something so true that you just can't help but smile and shout "YES!!! I know exactly what you mean!!".

4. Why did you decide to kick off your project by seeking backers through a crowdfunding platform?

Honestly, I decided to go this route because I would like to avoid the debt of a loan. My wife and I are trying to get a new house which we got pre-approved for, and took on a new car bill recently as well. Reaching my goals this way will avoid all the excess debt we just can't handle. I believe when people see a legitimate cause, they are compassionate, and they are loving. I have high hopes for humanity.

5. As you and your wife look ahead to the next year or so, what are your goals?

I try to place myself in this present moment. If I do try to think of a future, I'm creating separation from this moment, and now have a chance to be dragged down by thoughts of anxiety and worry. In the present moment that will be in the "future" so to speak, we are hoping to accomplish an income that will take care of us and my family around us. I hope to help my father and brother who are addicted to antidepressants, and to free my mother from a household of gang retaliation due to my brother's lifestyle. I just wish to ease the pain and hurt from their minds. Thinking about that every day must be torture.

These pictures show my brother today, and back when we were kids.

Thank you for taking the time to interview me!

Thanks, Jordan!

Moulage: Help Save Lives with Creative Art

Have you heard of medical moulage? It's one of those things you've probably seen but maybe haven't heard the name for--it's the art of creating realistic injury simulation effects to help people train for emergencies. In fact, first responders depend on this type of training to be able to gain experience with detailed, realistic scenarios such as injuries that could occur in natural disasters, violent situations like shootings, military contexts, and accidents.

Taylor Wilmering is the daughter of a former police officer and since 2008 has found her career as a moulage makeup artist, using makeup and other supplies to create realistic injuries on civilian role-players during trainings for such groups as civilians in basic first aid classes, CERT response teams (civilians trained in disaster preparedness and response, light search & rescue, and first aid), EMS personnel, police, and the US military. Taylor is currently running a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for supplies for her moulage kit.

Taylor helps a lot of people with her work, and the cost for supplies really adds up as it takes a lot of equipment to simulate realistic injuries. The cool thing is that most of these supplies are reusable, so for a small investment, you are helping many different people train and practice their skills in helping people who are injured.

Based in Missouri, most of Taylor's work has been with local responders in her home state, but she's also worked in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey. And she's willing to travel wherever she's needed. You can learn more about Taylor by checking out her resume on her website, and you can also connect with her on Twitter.