In the latest episode of COSIGN Conversations, we sat down with Jasmine Crockett for a conversation that every entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, and community builder needs to hear. In a time when many people try to separate business from politics, Rep. Crockett makes one thing unmistakably clear: everything is political — whether you choose to engage or not.

Throughout the interview, Rep. Crockett challenges the idea that politics only matters during election cycles or at the national level. Instead, she reframes it as a system that directly shapes access to opportunity, resources, and long-term success for business owners and organizations. From local zoning decisions to federal funding programs, policy quietly influences who gets support, who gets overlooked, and who is positioned to grow.

As a former business major with an emphasis in finance and marketing, Rep. Crockett brings a practical lens to the conversation, drawing parallels between political decision-making and portfolio strategy. Just as diversification strengthens an investment portfolio, diversity of perspective strengthens policy outcomes, marketing strategies, and economic growth. Ignoring that reality, she explains, isn’t just shortsighted — it’s bad business.

One of the most eye-opening moments in the interview centers on the importance of congressional research and relationships. Rep. Crockett explains that legislation doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it is informed by data, advocacy, and the voices of those who choose to engage. Business owners and nonprofit leaders who take the time to understand how research informs policy — and who their elected officials are — gain a strategic advantage. Those relationships can open doors to conversations, influence priorities, and ensure that community needs are not left out of the process.

For entrepreneurs just getting started, the conversation offers a critical reality check. Rep. Crockett emphasizes that there are government programs and funding opportunities specifically designed to support small businesses and nonprofits, but many never access them simply because they don’t know they exist or don’t know where to look. The issue is rarely a lack of resources; more often, it’s a lack of awareness, connection, and advocacy.

Another key takeaway from the discussion is the importance of allies. Progress, Rep. Crockett notes, doesn’t happen alone. Whether in business or government, having people who understand your mission and can advocate alongside you is essential. That applies not only within political systems, but also across industries, communities, and organizations working toward shared goals.

The conversation also highlights why local politics matter just as much — if not more — than national headlines. City councils, school boards, county offices, and local initiatives directly impact education, economic development, housing, and community investment. Rep. Crockett encourages business owners and community leaders to start locally, get to know their representatives, and participate in the systems that shape their day-to-day realities. Civic engagement, she stresses, doesn’t require running for office; it requires showing up, paying attention, and being informed.

Ultimately, this COSIGN Conversations episode is not about partisanship. It’s about power, access, and responsibility. It’s about understanding that disengagement comes at a cost, and that informed participation is one of the most effective tools entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders have to protect and expand their work.

For anyone building a business, leading an organization, or investing in community impact, this conversation is a reminder that success doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens at the intersection of policy, people, and purpose.

To hear Rep. Jasmine Crockett unpack these insights in her own words — and to dive deeper into the realities of politics, business, and civic engagement — watch the full COSIGN Conversations interview on YouTube.