1143: Changing the way HR navigates government compliance with TECHNOLOGY (& entrepreneurial innovation!) w/ Janice Kephart

Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

In this episode, Brian sits down with Janice Kephart, a national security and identity expert who has spent over two decades shaping identity policy and biometric solutions. Janice served as border counsel to the 9/11 Commission and has testified before the US Congress and the United Nations. Now, she's building ZipID—a groundbreaking identity authentication platform that simplifies compliance and solves a major pain point for employers. Janice’s story is a powerful example of how to apply entrepreneurial thinking to complex problems, and how creative problem-solving can drive business success.

💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business

🚀 How to turn government-level expertise into a scalable business solution
🤖 Why simplifying complex problems is the key to creating market disruption
💼 How to position your business for success in a competitive market
💡 The importance of balancing vision with execution—and how Janice does it
🌍 Why knowing your customer’s pain points is essential to creating a successful product
💪 How to push through challenges even when the market is crowded
⚡ Why creative thinking is a superpower for entrepreneurs

📝 About Janice Kephart

Janice Kephart is a national security and identity expert with over 20 years of experience in identity policy and biometric solutions. She served as border counsel to the 9/11 Commission and has testified before the US Congress and the UN on identity and national security issues. Janice is the CEO of Identity Strategy Partners and the founder of ZipID, a compliance-focused identity verification platform designed to simplify hiring and employee authentication. A creative at heart, Janice is also a spoken word artist and narrator, blending her legal expertise with innovative thinking.

🎯 Janice’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs

"Believe in what you do. You have to know in your gut that what you’re doing is valuable—because if you don’t believe it, you won’t make it." – Janice Kephart

Key Takeaways from Janice’s Advice:
✔ Your idea needs to solve a real problem—passion alone isn’t enough
✔ Build conviction—because adversity will come, and belief will get you through it
✔ Focus on creating value first—the revenue will follow

📢 Memorable Quotes

“Entrepreneurs don’t wait for permission—we see problems and take action.” – Janice Kephart
“Be balanced, be clear, be thoughtful—people will resonate with you when you communicate value.” – Janice Kephart
“Preparation matters. Passion matters. But balance matters most.” – Janice Kephart

💡 Actionable Takeaways

✅ Focus on solving a problem, not just creating a product
✅ Build conviction in your business idea—confidence sells
✅ Surround yourself with the right people to fill knowledge gaps
✅ Simplify complex processes to give your business a competitive edge
✅ Don't be afraid of risk—it’s part of the entrepreneurial journey

🔗 Links & Resources

• Visit ZipID’s Website
• Connect with Janice on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to Janice’s Substack ‘Apolitics and Poetry’

Chapters

1. 1143: Changing the way HR navigates government compliance with TECHNOLOGY (& entrepreneurial innovation!) w/ Janice Kephart (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to Janice Kephart (00:00:14)

3. Personal Journey into Counterterrorism (00:02:09)

4. From Government Expert to Entrepreneur (00:06:50)

5. The Problem with I-9 Compliance (00:09:42)

6. Building ZipID's Solution (00:13:17)

7. Market Challenges and Opportunities (00:17:41)

8. The Creative Side of Entrepreneurship (00:21:02)

9. Finding Your Voice as a Leader (00:27:36)

10. Final Advice and Contact Information (00:34:17)