The Veteran (Semi) Professional

Brian left the army and moved back home, eventually buying a small financial services firm and growing it.  We talk about how that helps tie him into his local community and how he uses his network and business to give back to other veterans. Brian McCarver, CFP®, CIMA® | Stonebridge Financial Group (stonebridgefg.com)DOD SkillBridge Program (osd.mil)Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania | Harrisburg PA (veteransoutreachofpa.org)Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org)

Afterburner Fighter Pilots - Motivational Keynote SpeakersDown Range: A Transitioning Veteran's Career Guide to Life's Next Phase: Murphy, James D., Duke, William M.: 9781118790151: Amazon.com: BooksGet Expert Advice Instantly - MinnectJim "Murph" Murphy, the Founder and Chariman of Afterburner, Inc., has a unique and powerful mix of leadership skills in both the military and business worlds. After graduating from the University of Kentucky, Murph joined the U.S. Air Force where he learned to fly the F-15. He has logged over 1,200 hours as an instructor pilot in the F-15 and has accumulated over 3,200 hours of flight time in other high-performance jet aircraft. As the 116th Fighter Wing's Chief of Training for the Georgia Air National Guard, Murph's job was to keep 42 combat-trained Fighter Pilots ready to deploy worldwide within 72 hours. As a flight leader, he has flown missions to Central America, Asia, Central Europe and the Middle East. After years in the military, Murph returned to his love of business. Prior to his service in the U.S. Air Force, Murph had a successful career in imaging equipment sales, where he helped increase his company's sales by 500%. Years later, Murph became Director of Sales for a small paint company. Realizing that the concepts of the Flawless Execution model could be applied to business, he engaged the proven model — "Plan. Brief. Execute. Debrief." — and increased his company's sales from $5 million to $52 million. Realizing that many companies could benefit from these same concepts, Murph started Afterburner in early 1996. Through his leadership, Afterburner has landed on Inc. Magazine's "Inc. 500 List" twice. Murph has been regularly featured in such publications as The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Inc. Magazine, Newsweek, Meetings & Conventions Magazine and has appeared on CNN, Fox News, and Bloomberg news to name a few. He has also been named as one of Atlanta's top 50 entrepreneurs by Catalyst Magazine. To date, the Afterburner team of elite military professionals has led over 1 million executives, sales professionals, and business people from every industry through Afterburner's Flawless Execution Model, and its unique, high-energy programs. Afterburner notable clients include the Who's Who of the Global 1000 list of companies. Murph's groundbreaking book Business Is Combat, is now in its third printing, and his latest book Flawless Execution was released May 1st, 2005 by Harper Collins publishing. Murph has spoken at the world’s notable business schools to include Harvard, Wharton, Cornell, Emory, and Duke. 

Erik is the first stock trader I've had on the podcast and he talks about how he got started in investing and why he loves this path for building wealth. CORE Leadership Program | Deloitte USThe Intelligent Investor Rev Ed.: The Definitive Book on Value Investing: Benjamin Graham, Jason Zweig, Warren E. Buffett: Amazon.com: BooksesInvests | Investing without the BS esInvests - YouTubeErik @esInvests (@esInvests) / X (twitter.com)

Jon is a prominent voice in the business acquisition community and got his start in buying businesses after leaving the Air Force. Resources Mentioned: Ep. 150: Enlisted Marine to Working at the VA, Supporting Veteran Entrepreneurs, and Founding a Veteran-Focused Marketing Firm with Barrett Bogue (buzzsprout.com)Ep. 154: Working in Finance, Taking the Leap, and Connecting Veterans with Capital: Bill Militello from Localvest (buzzsprout.com)Ep. 120: Army NCO to Business Owner by Acquiring a Small Business with John Hubbard (buzzsprout.com)Buy and Sell Online Businesses & Websites - Empire FlippersJon Stoddard | LinkedIn

Kathy has QUITE a story.  She's bounced around from industry and industry and mastered the art of changing careers.  Listen how this Navy EOD veteran went from the military to being a stunt performer to names like Facebook and Crossfit. 

I've had a lot of people on the show talk about buying businesses and have tangentially mentioned the traditional search fund model before, but Jack Ogden is the first guest on the show who is currently running a search fund. Resources mentioned: The COMMIT Foundation | Veteran Transition AssistanceWith Your Shield: A McMorrow Veterans Initiative | USC Military & Veterans InitiativeHome - The Honor FoundationFourBlock – Veteran Career Readiness

Jordan is using his love for our country to work with high-profile investors to invest in the American economy and defense. Union: A Democrat, a Republican, and a Search for Common Ground: Blashek, Jordan, Haugh, Christopher: 9780316423793: Amazon.com: BooksJordan Blashek — America’s Frontier Fund (americasfrontier.org)Jordan Blashek (@JordanBlashek) / X (twitter.com)

Caleb writes on equity crowdfunding.  See how his side hustle turned into a dream job for him.  Caleb Naysmith (@ccnaysmith) / X (twitter.com)Articles written by Caleb Naysmith - BenzingaDemocratizing.finance | Equity Crowdfunding News & Education

Charles left the army and immediately launched himself into entrepreneurship.  It wasn't all smooth sailing, but he found a way to his current niche and is finding a way to make it happen. MK3 Industries | Your Automotive Equipment Supplier | MK3 Industries

Luke's story of how he created Clusiv literally brought me to tears. You will want to hear it.  You will also laugh at his story of nervously pounding some red bulls before an investor pitch...and winning the competition.  Home-2023 - ClusivHome - Bunker LabsThink and Grow Rich: The Landmark... by Napoleon Hill (amazon.com)Amazon.com: The Compound Effect: 9781593157241: Hardy, Darren: BooksHomepage » Code Platoon | Code Camp for Veterans & SpousesWarrior Rising | Charitable Organization Empowering Veterans in BusinessAccelerate Your Success | Techstars Global Startup Network

A veteran with a t-shirt or coffee company?! How original.  In all seriousness, what Mike is building at ARC is different.  He wants to be the antithesis to Black Rifle Coffee Company and isn't afraid to say it.  We get into very practical and tactical details about getting started of a new company and how he thinks about brand positioning (it's smart). Aerial Resupply Coffee – Veteran Owned Coffee | Military CoffeeAerialResupplyCoffee (@aerialresupplycoffee) • Instagram photos and videosThe COMMIT Foundation | Veteran Transition AssistanceDOD SkillBridge Program (osd.mil)

Minnesota-native Matt Butler is the inventor of Rollors. The concept was first visualized on downtime between deployments overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan supporting combat operations. Upon return, Matt developed a prototype in his garage that was a hit at BBQs, parties, and other outdoor get-togethers. Around the time of the recession; Matt saw many local veterans out of work that had the resident wood working skills that helped spark the light bulb onto a means to help them. He then decided he wanted to employ local veterans to help construct the wooden disks and wooden, cone-shaped targets used in the game in their home workshops.After countless number of games were handcrafted, packaged and sold through the website, church, craft fairs, and other types of venues it was then distributed in brick and mortar retailers across American and has even started distribution outside of the United States. After helping numerous veterans get themselves back on their feet from the recession he has it developed outside of the United States to be able to get it to a price point so many more people and families can enjoy the fun.Rollors has turned into an award-winning and unique game which is revolutionizing beach and backyard fun.Rollors | The Next Great Outdoor Game – Rollors Outdoor Yard GameTally Tumbler – Tally TumblerDOD SkillBridge Program (osd.mil)

https://www.nickdevlincoaching.com/aboutNick's bio:"I am a transformational life coach, entrepreneur, father and former US Army Ranger.  My mission is to empower you to live your life as an adventure - with peace, passion and intention.  I do this by helping you embrace uncertainty and envision the life you want to live (your adventure).  I guide you through first steps and hold you accountable for taking action.  In addition to coaching sessions by phone and in person, I take you out in the wilderness for "adventure coaching sessions" to get you out of your head and into your heart.  I listen, reflect, and support you to grow.  I celebrate your successes and push you to be brave, go farther, and we do it together.​Throughout this bold and adventurous life, I have won and lost.  I have played with the fear of the deep unknown. I have tasted the sweet victory resulting from dedicated effort and hard work.  I have felt the pain of trying to control things beyond my control.  As a recovering “control addict” and former corporate employee (asleep at the wheel of my life), I have felt the struggle of living disconnectedly – void of true purpose – a vassal to the grind and societal expectations.  I’ve been stuck in the preservation zone, playing safe and playing small.   I got unstuck when a life coach, and friend, asked me one pivotal question. It was the question that cut deep and shook me to the core. It shook me awake - wide awake.  I grabbed the wheel, and redirected my course towards passion and purpose.   I chose to live with intention and explore the possibilities of my most adventurous life.  With critical guidance from my coach – I now live my adventure.   It's my turn to help you live yours! "

John weighed the decision: is it worth it to stay until retirement?  For many, the pension and benefits seem too good to pass up, but John decided it was worth the risk and left when he everyone said he was crazy.  He then leveraged his grit (and Twitter) to build Gray Line Investments, a real estate private equity firm. 

Patrick did what a lot of people do after the military: he went into contracting.  Then he ended up applying to Y Combinator with a Web3 technology (listen if you don't know what that is) that helps curb counterfeit products and child labor.  This is not some new crypto, it's a way to track the authenticity of physical products. He is a guy with a lot of skills and using them to make a real impact. You are going to enjoy this one. Resources and Other Episodes:AGAMI Is Making Counterfeit Products a Thing of the Past. Read More---> (agamico.com)Ep. 114: Working in Tech as a Product Manager with Erik Huckle (buzzsprout.com)Ep. 164: PSYOP NCO, Dropping Out of College to be an Entrepreneur, Bitcoin, and Turning a passion for Crypto into a Business with Johnny Demaddalena (buzzsprout.com)Ep. 168: Working with Chaos, Lehman Brothers, and Investing in Blockchain and Web3 with Chris Perkins from Veterans in Digital Assets (buzzsprout.com)Y CombinatorHome - Bunker LabsSuper Founders: What Data Reveals About Billion-Dollar Startups - By Ali Tamaseb (superfoundersbook.com)

You can learn more about Randy here, but I am glad to share this interview with you.  Randy has had a full life: -25 years active duty- Hiked El Camino (IYKYK)- Freelance writer and editorWe talk about freelancing and how to make a great life out of it. Randy is also eligible to work with through DoD Skillbridge, which is a super cool way to use that time.  You can learn more about that here. 

Susan Maly runs a solo consulting business where she provides strategy and planning services to small businesses.  Maly StrategiesHere is Susan's official bio: " I spent over a decade at a large Fortune 500 management consulting firm with leadership roles across government and commercial businesses, as well as corporate headquarters.  Prior to my business career, I served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.  My life centers on my 5Fs - Faith, Family, Friends, Fitness, and Fun. I strive to maintain integrity in all I do and enjoy life while I'm at it.  I hold a B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in German from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University. I also hold Project Management Professional (PMP), Change Management Advanced Practitioner (CMAP), and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certifications, and earned an Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy certificate from MIT’s Sloan School of Management.  "

Rob is a great guy and we had a fantastic conversation about the veteran recruiting landscape and what companies need to work on to be more ready for veterans. BufferSprings | Veteran Hiring, Retention, and Community BuildingLinkedIn | Rob Arndt

Ricardo is crushing it and has a lot to share about real estate investing. 

Today I have a duo, Christopher Lay and James Parker, who have an amazing business.  They help gov con businesses get funding to grow and donate 50% of their profits to veteran causes.