Vet2BizLife

In this episode of the Vet2BizLife Podcast, my guest is Matt Sapaula, a Marine Veteran, Financial Coach, Published Author, Speaker, and CEO of Money Smart Company.  America’s “Money Smart Guy,” Matt has dedicated his professional career to spreading financial literacy through a positive message and empowering members of the middle class to take charge of their personal finances and realize financial independence. He provides families and individuals with the necessary tools and guidance to improve their financial literacy, make informed decisions, and achieve their short- and long-term goals for their financial lives. Matt’s “Money Smart” expertise has been featured in national, regional and industry media broadcasts and publications. He was the co-host and featured financial expert for MSN Money’s reality television series, “The Invested Life” for two consecutive seasons. He’s been interviewed on FOX Business and has had numerous appearances on Chicago’s WGN, NBC, ABC and FOX television affiliates. Matt’s insights have also been highlighted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Advisor Today and Financial Advisor IQ. With nearly two decades of success as a financial coach, Matt has packaged his proprietary planning strategy into what he has coined the “Money Smart Process,” a three-step approach to financial stability and ultimately, independence. Matt customizes each step to address the specific needs, concerns and objectives of every family member and helps them undergo a financial transformation so they realize a heightened sense of financial clarity and confidence. In addition to his entrepreneurial enterprises designed to help the middle class realize financial freedom as president of Money Smart Company, Matt also mentors financial professionals. Matt engineered the professional Encore Career Program, to help fellow entrepreneurs launch their own independent financial services practice. Moreover, he developed the Mastermind Group, a collaborative mentorship program that guides and holds established entrepreneurs accountable throughout the strategic growth of their business. Matt’s entrepreneurial acumen has also been sourced by MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneurs Series (MUES) during its National “Tap the Future” Business Plan Competition, where Matt has been a judge alongside Daymond John from ABC’s “Shark Tank” and other respected entrepreneurs for the last three years. Matt’s commitment to financial literacy expands beyond that of his client base. Since 2006, he has worked closely with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in designing and executing the Money Smart Week® public awareness campaign. As a spokesman of this now national initiative, Matt is asked every April to participate. During Money Smart Week® he has taught complimentary financial classes to Chicagoland residents, and in recent years, he has had the privilege of moderating the esteemed “economic outlook on personal finance” panel. Matt also educates Americans on the latest financial and business news as co-host of the Money Smart Show, a 60-minute personal finance and entrepreneurial coaching radio program that broadcasts every Saturday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. CST on WCKG-AM 1530 with podcasts available on iTunes and moneysmartshow.com. He’s also in the process of launching Money Smart TV, a weekly, five-minute financial news and coaching briefing. Prior to discovering his passion for finance, Matt was serving as a decorated United States Marine with tours in Somalia, Africa, Asia, and the Persian Gulf. He attributes this time in his life to instituting the values, discipline and drive that he brings to the financial industry. After completing his service, he was one of the first Veterans to utilize the GI Bill to earn his Certified Financial Planner™ designation through DePaul University's Financial Planning program. Shortly thereafter, he was recruited to start his financial services career at a large brokerage firm in Southern California. Three short years later Matt recognized the need for an unbiased financial voice in America and in 1999 he opened the doors to Money Smart Company to offer consumer and career coaching services. ​ Matt is a proud father of three and a Chicagoland resident. He spends his free time with his children, participating in various sporting and church ministry activities. You can contact Matt at - Email Website LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Please listen, rate, review and share!

In this episode of the Vet2BizLife Podcast, my guest is Rob Braiman, Army Veteran, and Principal and Managing Member at Cogent Analytics in Greensboro, NC. Rob Braiman has a long-standing reputation as an entrepreneur. He has spent 15 years working directly with business owners to improve strategic planning, operations, growth, and business development. The birth of Cogent Analytics was etched in his decade-long participation within the business community as a Senior Business Analyst representing the clients that Cogent now serves. Rob formed Cogent Analytics with the specific intent of bringing tools of better management, organization, and profitability to Main Street America’s small to mid-sized businesses. Cogent’s primary objective in every interaction is to put the interests of the client first. In support of that directive, Rob has crafted a culture of integrity, honesty, and transparency. He teaches that service to others is at the very core of the entrepreneurial spirit and a foundational pillar at Cogent. The base of his value system started in the U.S. Military as a young man serving with SOCOM. Rob has a personal code of honor, courage, wisdom, faith, perseverance, and loyalty. That is what he demands of himself every day, and that is what he asks his employees to embrace. Rob has been personally engaged with over 1700 businesses across the United States, working to further the interests of other business owners like himself. A husband of 20 years and a father of two, Rob’s absolute commitment to family, community, his employees, and his clients is unwavering. You can contact Rob at - Email Website Phone Please listen, rate, review and share!

In this episode of the Vet2BizLife Podcast, my guest is Chris Hoffmann, CEO and Founder of VET Training and Coaching.  Chris is also a Marine Corps Combat Veteran, a podcaster, and recently authored 10 Steps to Predicted Success Out of Uniform. His passion is empowering people with the tools to execute what matters most to them. His life leading up to his enlistment was about discovering masculinity and what it took to be a man. Without a father, he found purpose and passion for playing baseball. This is where he found a sense of self-confidence, and value in himself establishing an awareness around work ethic. Ultimately gaining a philosophy of "what you put into things you will get out of them." Chris chose to join the Marine Corp to hopefully discover that masculinity factor he was striving so hard to find. He wound up serving 4 years, traveling to Okinawa, multiple cities in the US, and he even did a deployment to Afghanistan in 2010. It was there when he met a SGT, who was all about personal development and entrepreneurship, that introduced him to a new way of thinking. Over the course of 7 months in the desert, Chris read books around success, performance, and mindset. The book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill was the game-changer that had him realize that life was not fated to him and he could, in fact, design his own life. That's when he chose to leave the Corps and take the skills and mindset the military gave him of commitment to excellence, integrity, honor, attention to detail, and high performance and bring them into a new venture. He spent most of the first three years out chasing his dream in the fitness industry. He became one of the top 3 sales reps for a household name fitness company and even started his own independent brand where he was contracting out apartment complexes that already had on-site gyms helping them increase their customer retention. After walking away from that to launch his new passion VET Training and Coaching, he is excited to help veterans gain the tools, strategies, and resources to live a high performing & meaningful civilian life. You can contact Chris at - Email LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Please listen, rate, review and share!

In this episode of the Vet2BizLife Podcast, my guest is Andy Nelson, an Army Veteran, and Partner at Fortis, LLP.  Andy is an Army veteran who provides veteran-owned businesses the legal advice that protects their brands. Today, Andy is a partner at Fortis, LLP in Costa Mesa, California.  He serves as an Advisory Board Member for Operation Supply Drop and Member of the Board of Directors at the Veterans Legal Institute. Andy is a University of Washington grad, a Huskie, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History in 1998 and he is also a graduate of the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law.  Andy and his family reside in the Orange County, California area. You can contact Andy at - Email LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Please listen, rate, review and share!

In this episode of the Vet2BizLife Podcast, my guest is Ed Marsh, Founder and of Consilium Global Business Advisors and an Army Veteran where he served as an Infantry Officer. Ed is a strategy & growth consultant, an independent director, author and keynote speaker, located in the Greater Boston area. He helps executives connect the dots between their corporate aspirations and their team’s practical execution. Ed started his professional career jumping from planes and running raids and ambushes as a grunt.  He launched his civilian career selling and marketing industrial products and services. He’s been an industrial distributor sales manager, partners with a German machine manufacturer, a rep for explosive detection devices in Nigeria and he founded and ran a company in India selling used machinery from the US. As an Export Advisor to American Express, he uses these experiences and others from markets including Brazil, and Vietnam to help companies expand globally. While he’s a Presidential “E” award winner, he’s at home in American factories where the smell of cutting oil and “crump” of the press is comforting and familiar. And that’s where he helps senior leadership visualize growth opportunity in disrupted industries, build strategy, and coach execution. His ideas are unorthodox and his tools are digital. He helps companies that still put fax numbers on business cards meet their prospects where they are. When Ed’s not writing for Entrepreneur, Industry Today and other outlets, he’s often quoted on strategy, sales & marketing in USA Today and Inc. Otherwise he’s in airports, clients’ factories, or on stage delivering keynotes that entertain and distill today’s market stress into simple themes. Ed was commissioned through Army ROTC at Johns Hopkins University. You can contact Ed at - Email LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Please listen, rate, review and share!

In this episode of the Vet2BizLife Podcast, my guest is Heather Dopson, Community Builder at GoDaddy and an Air Force veteran, where she served as a Munitions Systems Specialist, assigned to the 523rd Combat Munitions Unit, 27th Fighter Wing. Heather is an advocate for authenticity. I appreciate this because it’s one of my core values. She’s a catalyst for conversations worth having and an enabler for ideas worth exploring. She’s fueled by tracking digital trends, innovation in technology, and taco trucks. Now, we’ve just uncovered a business idea.  Though there are apps that track food trucks, I don’t know if there’s one that specifically tracks taco trucks? Heather has a profound understanding of social networks, community building, consumers and branding; and a pronounced intolerance for bullshit. As a Community Builder at GoDaddy, she leverages her skills as a connector and her drive to help small businesses succeed. Her mission in life is to help people lose their J-O-B and find their J-O-Y. Heather is also the host of GoDaddy’s weekly live show, Beyond the Domain.  Check it out on Facebook! The show brings the best tools, resources, and information to guide people along their journey to life fulfilling ventures. Heather currently lives in Arizona with her Belgian Malinois Joker. You can contact Heather at - Email LinkedIn Twitter Facebook GoDaddy

In this episode of the Vet2BizLife Podcast, my guest is John Lee Dumas, Army veteran, founder and host of Entrepreneurs on Fire, an award-winning podcast where he interviews inspiring Entrepreneurs every Monday and drops value bombs every Thursday. With over 2000 episodes, 1.3 million listens every month, and seven-figures of annual revenue, JLD is just getting started. Living in Palmas Del Mar, Puerto Rico today, JLD was commissioned through Providence College's Army ROTC program in 2002.  John's commissioned branch was Armor, the Combat Arm of Decision, and he spent 13 months as a Tank Platoon Leader, to include combat duty in Fallujah, Iraq. Much of our discussion in this episode was on JLD's recently release program titled 3 Hours to Your Big Idea.  I encourage you to give John three hours and he'll give you YOUR BIG IDEA.  Follow his step-by-step training to begin your journey towards financial and lifestyle FREEDOM today! Other resources of John's that I highly recommend are - The Freedom Journal that will allow you to accomplish your #1 goal in 100 days. The Mastery Journal that will allow you to master productivity, discipline, and focus in 100 days. Visit John at EOFire.com to set YOUR Entrepreneurial journey ON FIRE! Please listen, rate, review, and share!

In this episode of the Vet2BizLife Podcast, my guest is Tony Perez, GM (VP) of GoDaddy's Security Product Group and a U.S.M.C. veteran, where he served from 2000-2005. Tony is a proven business leader and operator. He is the former CEO of Sucuri (2011 - 2017), a website security platform that was acquired by GoDaddy in April 2017.  He has proven experience taking a security product from startup to a global, multi-national, organization. Today, as GM(VP) of GoDaddy’s Security Product Group, Tony operates with a  core competency that revolves around: leadership, management, marketing, product position, product pricing, sales, business institutionalization, revenue and organizational strategy. He believes that our greatest responsibility in sales and marketing is to bridge the gap between the value a customer expects from your product, and the value you assume you are delivering. He brings with him an intoxicating level of energy, work ethic, and passion.  Excelling in high-tempo environments, and executing flawlessly against strategies.  He is adamant about self-reflection and self-actualization, placing energy on learning his weaknesses and building on them. Through his own admission, Tony is horrible at spelling, but people who know him best will share with you that he is amazing at motivating people. Something that both Tony and I have in common is that he has a reputation for challenging people to be better, to strive for more, to never settle for the cards they've been dealt. He was a leader of Marines, and today he's a leader of people, technology, and industry, and GoDaddy is so very fortunate to have Tony on their team! You can contact Tony at - Email LinkedIn PerezBox Facebook Please listen, rate, and share! [reminder]  

In this episode of the Vet2BizLife Podcast, my guest is Tim Mossholder, Digital Candidate Outreach and Podcast Host for Bradley-Morris, Inc. in the Norfolk, Virginia area. A veteran U.S. Navy officer, who served as a Surface Warfare Officer for six years in the 6th Fleet.  Today, Tim works in the area of Digital Candidate Outreach and Podcast Host for Bradley-Morris, Inc., where he manages digital channel partners and hosts the Veteran Influencer Podcast.  Tim enjoys those who have served our country find purposeful, enjoyable employment as civilians. Tim is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. You can contact Tim at - Email Bradley-Morris.com RecruitMilitary.com LinkedIn Facebook Please listen, rate, and share! [reminder]

In this special episode of the Vet2BizLife Podcast, my guest is Janine Boldrin, Managing Editor of Military Spouse magazine.  Janine was also the founder of Chameleon Kids, LLC and Managing Editor of Military Kids' Life until it was sold last summer. Prior to these organizations and related publications, Janine was a freelance writer for over a decade focusing on military, military spouse, and veteran content.  Her work has been published in Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, ScaryMommy.com, Parents.com, The Huffington Post, and other military magazines and newspapers. Janine loves to tell the stories of military spouses, veterans, and military kids, along with being a supporter of military spouse entrepreneurs. She is the spouse of an active duty Army Infantry officer and mother of three kids.  As of this podcast episode, Janine and her family are planning their tenth military move this summer from Fort Drum, NY to Boston, MA. You can contact Janine at - Email Facebook Instagram Twitter Please listen, rate, and share!

n this episode of the Vet2Bizlife Podcast, my guest is Markian Sich, founder of Active Duty Passive Income.  Markian is an active duty Marine stationed at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in sunny San Diego, with his wife, Kateryna, and five-month-old son, Adrian. Markian is a third generation Ukrainian immigrant who learned about the opportunities that our great country provides its citizens from the good example of his parents and grandparents. In addition to serving in the military, Markian started to pursue Real Estate investing as a method of securing his financial future soon after graduating from the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a double major in Computer Science and Information Technology and a Minor in Russian. His passions include Entrepreneurship, Real estate investing, Eastern European geopolitics, Cybersecurity, Programming, Social engineering, Linguistics, and staying fit. His success inspired him to teach other members of the military about Real Estate investing. This is when the course and community, Active Duty Passive Income was born. You can contact Markian at - Email Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Twitter Please listen, rate, and share!

In this episode of the Vet2Bizlife Podcast, my guest is Jason Justice, an Army veteran, who still serves with distinction as a Transportation Officer in the U.S. Army Reserves,  and is the Director of Distillation at Justice Label Distillery in Sinton, Texas. Jason is also the co-founder of the Distiller Brewer Vintner Network (DBVN) Alcohol Industry Magazine. Jason studied Management at Trident University International, and Kinesiology at Texas A&M University - Kingsville. Originally from Odem, Tx, Jason now lives in Sinton, TX, with his wife, Shannon, also a veteran, and their three sons. You can contact Jason at - Email LinkedIn Facebook Justice Label Distillery Justice Label Distillery on Facebook Justice Label Distillery on Instagram Justice Label Distillery on Twitter Please listen, rate, and share!

In this episode of the Vet2Bizlife Podcast, my guest is Ricoh Danielson, Veteran and Author of The Rise of the Vetpreneur: Fortitude and Grit.  Today, Ricoh is the owner of Fortitude Tech LLC and also is the silent corporate actor in various businesses.   Ricoh has now authored two books.  His first book is titled Battlefield Parenthood. Ricoh Danielson is a U.S. Army and Army National Guard veteran of Iraq, who has served on various operations, campaigns, and task forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Haiti. Ricoh is a Veteran advocate that has helped his fellow Veterans by serving on the City of Phoenix Veteran Commission as a Commissioner where he provided insight on helping obtain community resource for local Veterans. He also helped start the Navigator program, Spearhead efforts for the Rally Point Suicide Prevention Program and contribute to the Veteran Court System by helping Veterans obtain "treatment over punishment" in courts cases. Ricoh also served as a Commissioner for the City of Scottsdale on the Human Relations Commission where he advocated and assisted community ordinances to be presented to the Mayor's office for the Veteran community, LGTB, and Veteran LGTB community. Ricoh is a graduate of the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, an Awardee of the Yellow Ribbon Wounded Warrior Scholarship, a graduate of Colorado Tech University, a graduate of Villanova University and a graduate of UCLA. You can get The Rise of the Vetrepreneur: Fortitude and Grit here.  His first book Battlefield Parenthood is available here. You can contact Ricoh at - Email LinkedIn Facebook

In this episode of the Vet2Bizlife Podcast, my guest is Tyler Sheff, founder of Cash Flow Guys.  Tyler is the founder of CashFlowGuys.com and host of the Cash Flow Guys Podcast which is rapidly rising in the ranks to be one of the fasting growing shows in the iTunes business category. Tyler Sheff is a US Army Gulf War Era Veteran and originally earned his Florida real estate license back in 2000. He concurrently owned and operated a trucking business, worked as a local Police Officer, Charter Captain and Chief Boatswain aboard a US government research ship, and in 2014 he decided to renew his real estate license in order to supplement his income while helping others learn about real estate investing. Tyler gains great enjoyment out of helping busy professionals achieve their wealth building goals by showing them how to invest in real estate passively and consistently far outperform the stock market in returns. An avid sportsman, Tyler spends his free time fishing, hunting, and scuba diving and really gets a kick out of helping others realize their dreams and feeling better about themselves. In the interview, Tyler mentions that he uses a computer application called RescueTime to help him understand his daily habits, maintain focus, and be more productive.  He also mentions an application called Freedom that he uses to block websites, distractions, and other addictions that can be timewasters on the computer.  Tyler also mentions and recommends a book titled, Tax-Free Wealth: How to Build Massive Wealth by Permanently Lowering Your Taxes by Tom Wainwright, CPA. You can contact Tyler at - Email Phone Website

In this episode of the Vet2Bizlife Podcast, my guest is Edwin Richardson Jr., a retired Air Force Combat Controller and founder of The Richardson Unlimited Strategy Team (T.R.U.S.T). During his 20 years of service, Edwin has been stationed in various locations across the U.S. and overseas to include six years in Okinawa, Japan.  Edwin's experiences include deployments involving humanitarian aid, disaster relief efforts, and ground combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. Edwin brings years of experience directly advising leaders within Army Special Forces, Navy SEALs, Marine Special Operations Teams, along with various government agencies during the most chaotic events and harshest environments imaginable. Edwin has mastered the tools necessary to motivate and create effective teams, develop and guide future leaders, as well as maximizing individual and organizations overall performance.  His goal with Richardson Strategies is not to simply always meet his client's intent, but to exceed their expectations while guaranteeing great results. Edwin is also the COO of Stealth Performance Communication.  Driving performance and identifying professionals with the perfect balance of experience, talent and drive to develop policies, closing networking gaps, setting standards, and changing the world as we know it with their Tactical Wearable Technology. You can contact Edwin at - Email Website LinkedIn  

In this episode of the Vet2Bizlife Podcast, my guest is Steven E. Kuhn of S2K2 Precision Management.  An Army veteran and serial entrepreneur, Steven has a successful track record of turning failing businesses across Europe and the US into success stories and has had the pleasure of consulting some of the most influential people in the world. This former 19D Armored Noncommissioned Officer has been a bodyguard for rockstars, ran international organizations for celebrities, managed musicians, and sports personalities.  Hailing from Pennsylvania, Steven served in the U.S. Army from 1986 -1993 in Germany and one tour with Task Force 4-8 Cavalry as a Sergeant in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. After departing the Army, Steven continued to live in Europe where he later became a best-selling author, a multi-country start-up, and turn-around, Political Consultant.  The consummate learner, Steven completed his MBA at the prestigious Bradford University School of Business Management in Leeds, U.K. Steven has an astute business mind and has gained a reputation for being a no-nonsense, tell it like it is, leader. Since 2006, as Principal of his own company S2K2 Precision Management, Steven has consulted companies from various industries and countries. His work with the EU Parliament and German politicians has gained him a success within Governmental organizations.  Of significance, as an outsider and non-European, Steven is sought for the unbiased opinion on Trans-Atlantic and American issues. Speaking regularly on conscious leadership around the world, Steven's message is simple: “Lead yourself with the highest of moral standards, focus on transparency, honesty, and integrity and the rest will fall into place…in any and every industry”.  Steven enjoys communicating these lessons and ideas using stories of his own experiences in the global business and political world.  Teaching the art of communication, self-leadership with intuition, and how creating your own reality is the key to happiness, his audiences, clients, and listeners laugh, cry and are in wonder at what Steven shares so openly and honestly. You can contact Steven at - steven@s2k2management.com steven-kuhn.com Steven Kuhn's H.I.T. Principle Facebook Linkedin Instagram Twitter

In this episode of the Vet2BizLife Podcast, my guest is Melissa A. Washington, President and Founder of Women Veterans Alliance.  A Navy veteran, Melissa is a disabled veteran small business owner, speaker, author, and award winner who is passionate about connecting women veterans across the nation. Melissa proudly served in the Navy and rather than shoulder the burden of a dual-service family, she decided to leave the military early to pursue a career while her husband spent 21 years on active duty. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business management and transitioned into a successful career in recruiting and human resources for more than 10 years working for both boutique agencies and global Fortune 500 companies. After being laid off from corporate America in 2009 she did not look back.  Along with leading the Women Veteran Alliance, Melissa also serves as a Board Member of Placer Veterans Stand Down, Chair of California Women Veteran Leadership Council, Co-Chair of VA Community Veteran Engagement Board (CVEB), a Member of Women Veteran Speakers, and she was recognized as a Sacramento Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business” Honoree. You can contact Melissa at - melissa@womenveteransalliance.org Facebook LinkedIn  

In this episode of the Vet2BizLife Podcast, my guest is Bennett Tanton, Co-Founder of Battle Sight Technologies, a veteran-owned innovating organization whose mission is to make an exceptional world for warfighters, law enforcement agencies, and first responders, by creating and offering revolutionary products that will enhance their day-to-day operations, well-being, and productivity. Bennett is Vice President of Battle Sight Technologies and Nick Ripplinger is President of Battle Sight Technologies.  Bennett Tanton is a former Reconnaissance Marine and US Army Infantryman.  He holds a BA in Security Management and is a graduate of 2014 Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) at Syracuse University. Bennett is the Co-Founder of Battle Sight Technologies, Cigars & Sea Stories and 5 Paragraph and is the Managing Editor of Change Your POV Podcast Network.  He also works as a contributor and adviser to publications, companies, and organizations. Bennett is a Certified Peer Support Specialist and has dedicated his life to mentoring, coaching and walking with veterans to assist them in navigating the system and aid them in adding value to their communities. You can also find Bennett mentoring other veterans on Veterati. You can contact Bennett at - bennett@battlesighttech.com www.battlesighttech.com Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter

In this episode of the Vet2BizLife Podcast, my guest is Dwayne Paro, Founder of Landmark Life Coaching and T.E.A.M. Vets.  Their mission at Landmark Life Coaching is to honorably and respectfully serve transitioning veterans and entrepreneurial veterans to persevere in defining and executing their future by providing an atmosphere of comradery and trust that honors their dedication and commitment.  They empower their clients to feel whole, honored, respected and fulfilled in defining and living their life purpose. Dwayne Paro is very committed and passionate about empowering transitioning Military and Veterans.  He is a veteran who served in the Air Force for 8 years and has spent the past 20 years supporting the federal government as a contractor in Washington DC area. Through his dedication, perseverance, self-discipline, integrity and solid leadership skills he has progressed to be a Chief Information Officer for a Federal Aerospace Engineering firm. Using his Military and Executive experiences he has been able to step out as an Entrepreneur and establish Landmark Life Coaching to provide support to military and veterans who are in periods of transition in their lives. As part of this journey, he has created and hosts the Charlie Mike Podcast to showcase the amazing success of combat vetrepreneurs. Dwayne is also a contributor to Huffington Post where he is able to tell the stories of many successful veterans who have created fulfilling and empowering futures.  In partnership with Adam Bird, CEO of Heroes Media Group he has recently launched the Heroes Mastermind. He recently released his first book, The Empowered Veteran, your ultimate guide and workbook on how to identify and utilize the core strengths you developed in the military, plan for a transition and invest in yourself.  Dwayne's book is a concise blueprint to help military and spouse transition to civilian life and veterans to take that next step by focusing on the foundational areas.  You can get it here. You can contact Dwayne at - Landmark Life Coaching LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter

In this episode of the Vet2BizLife Podcast, my guest is Mike Maloney, former Navy Top Gun and United Pilot and founder of Kona Longboards, who produces and distributes high-performance longboard skateboards that are handcrafted with superior styling in Denver, Colorado. Mike is a passionate leader with a proven track record of leading teams, setting a vision, and inspiring professionals to rise to their abilities.  He has extensive experience as a senior executive, managing early stage, clean tech, sustainable infrastructure, and energy technology companies. Founded KOTA Longboards in 2012, Mike started his company after recognizing significant growth potential in the longboard market.  KOTA longboards appeal to a much broader demographic than our competitors.  The heart of KOTA's demographic is men and women age 30-60. KOTA is one of 20 companies nationwide to be awarded a 2014 Chase Mission Main Street Grant.  KOTA was selected from nearly 25,000 applicants and is the only Colorado company to receive this award. KOTA stands for Knights of the Air and embodies the concepts of honor, integrity and esprit de corps forged in the skies over Europe during the First World War.  KOTA actively supports veterans causes and children's programs encouraging outdoor activities and balance in life. KOTA longboards' focus is on carving performance, control and comfort so riders of any age feel comfortable learning to ride for the first time, picking up the sport again or elevating their experience.  Their handcrafted styling offers riders a more sophisticated image while they carve.  All KOTA longboards feature our proprietary KOTAgrip clear, gloss grip finish, eliminating the need for grip tape. At KOTA Long Boards, they are thrill seekers, veterans, pilots, skiers, bikers, athletes, outdoors nuts and, of course, longboarders.  They love having fun, going fast with the wind in our face and challenging gravity.  Carving on a high-performance KOTA longboard is like flying a fighter jet on a low level through the mountains – thrilling.  They know because they’ve done it! Mike Maloney and his Kota Longboards team need your help. They’re launching their wefunder.com equity-based crowd-funding campaign.  This is an opportunity to be an investor in Kota Longboards. They are selling securities that present a great opportunity to invest in a company and watch their incredibly potent brand grow. You can contact Mike at - mike@kotalongboards.com kotalongboards.com Facebook Kota Heroes Instagram LinkedIn Twitter