What does it take to build a business after military service?

Nick Haley, founder of Little Big Tech and military veteran, speaks with entrepreneur Ben Williams about his journey from the military into business. Ben shares how his career began in the Marines, what he learned during a tough tour in Afghanistan, and how those experiences shaped his values and leadership style.

They talk about how Ben made the leap from coaching football teams to founding Loopin, a tech platform designed to help businesses understand and support their people. Ben opens up about the challenges of raising money, learning to sell, and coping with setbacks, while staying true to the mindset he developed in the forces.

If you're leaving the military or building something of your own, this conversation offers practical lessons, honest reflections, and plenty of ideas for what’s possible after service.

Nick Haley sits down with Lewis Manalo, a combat veteran and a creative force behind the blockbuster Tom Clancy video games. Lewis left the military and started writing video games (yes they do have writers), and he shares how he made it on this journey from military service to becoming a lead writer in the gaming industry, along with founding his own game studio, Old Glory Studios. You'll hear:

• Transition from Military to Creative Industry: Lewis discusses his emotional response to 9/11, which motivated his enlistment in the Army, and his subsequent transition to civilian life.
• Military Influence on Writing: Insights on how his military background shapes the storytelling in game development.
• The Gaming Industry Journey: His entry into gaming through "Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands" and role evolution to lead writer for its sequel.
• Founding Old Glory Studios: The structure and philosophy behind setting up the studio akin to an independent film company.
• Veteran Community Engagement: The importance of community and camaraderie for veterans post-service.
• Advice for Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Life: Lewis emphasises patience and the importance of finding the right post-military career path.

Lewis is a former combat engineer in the 82nd Airborne Division with deployments to Afghanistan. Transitioning from his military career, he delved into the creative sector, particularly in film and video games. He became a key writer for Tom Clancy's video game series, eventually leading writing teams for major game titles. Luis is now the co-founder and executive producer at Old Glory Studios, focusing on developing games by leveraging his film and military experience.

Nick Haley chats with Luke Dalton, a former Royal Marines Commando and co-founder of Contact Coffee. They talk about Luke’s journey from military life to launching a successful coffee brand. Luke shares how skills like planning, discipline, and resilience helped him transition into business. He also explains how Contact Coffee started almost by accident and grew into a well-known e-commerce company with its bold, high-caffeine blends (Nick's a big fan).

The episode covers the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, from navigating COVID challenges to expanding into digital marketing. Luke gives practical advice for veterans thinking about life after the military—start early, take risks, and learn from mistakes. Whether you're a coffee lover, a veteran, or someone curious about turning military skills into business success, this episode has something for you.

Nick Haley sits down with Ollie Osborne, a former Royal Marine Commando and Royal Navy PTI turned wellness coach. Ollie shares his powerful journey from military service to civilian life, opening up about the challenges he faced during his transition, including a medical discharge, and how those experiences led him to create the Warrior Wellness Movement. Together, Nick and Ollie reflect on the mental and physical toll of military life and the importance of a holistic approach to health for veterans.

Throughout the conversation, Ollie discusses the deployments that shaped his resilience, the struggles he faced post-service, and how he turned adversity into purpose. His coaching philosophy is rooted in empathy, drawing from his own path to support others in their wellness journeys. He offers practical advice for veterans navigating life after service, with a big emphasis on the value of physical fitness and finding new purpose. As the founder of Warrior Wellness Movement and host of Beyond the Battlefield - a podcast we definitely recommend you check out after this one - Ollie has made for himself a fulfilling post-military life.

Leaving the military is more than just a career change, it’s a complete shift in identity, relationships, and purpose.

Nick Haley, Founder of Little Big Tech, speaks to Melissa and Simon Gurney - the founders of Punk Security.

You'll hear about their journeys from RAF service to civilian life, sharing the highs and lows of military transition, the challenges of finding new careers, and the unexpected hurdles of entrepreneurship. Mel reveals how she went from a tough start in cybersecurity, as Simon finished his military career and started navigating the tech industry, DevSecOps, and business leadership. They discuss resilience, networking, career advice, and the lessons military service gave them.

Dave Maddock shares his journey from joining the military reserves at 17 to becoming an infantry officer and later transitioning to civilian life as a tech consultant and entrepreneur. He talks about his deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, including surviving an IED attack and taking on leadership roles in high-pressure environments. Dave discusses the challenges of adjusting to life after the military, dealing with personal setbacks, and building a new career. He highlights the importance of learning new skills, staying focused, and seeking support during transitions. This episode provides practical advice for veterans and others navigating major life changes.

This week Nick speaks with Gareth Williams, a former British Army officer turned Australian Army officer. Growing up in a military family, it’s no surprise that he ended up serving in not just one army, but two. He takes us through his journey and how these experiences shaped his approach to life and work.

From joining the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment to his deployment in Kosovo, and eventually transitioning to the Australian Army, Gareth shares how his military career gave him the leadership, communication, and planning skills necessary to co-found Job Oppo, an employment platform focused on connecting veterans with meaningful job opportunities. His passion for changing the narrative around veterans—focusing more on their successes rather than their struggles—also led him to launch Veterans Can, an initiative that highlights the positive impact of military service on veterans’ lives and promotes global connectivity among them.

This is a valuable conversation for anyone leaving the service or anyone interested in learning about the importance of patience, networking, and having confidence in a new phase of life.

Nick talks to Danny Keating, a former Royal Navy submariner who has built a successful career in the tech industry. You'll hear about his unique path, how he adapted to different careers, and the challenges he faced along the way. You'll get important lessons on networking, mentorship, and finding a new sense of purpose after leaving the service.

Danny’s story started with a pull toward the military, influenced by his father’s service. He joined the Royal Navy just before 9/11, and over the years worked his way from the control room to the kitchen as a chef on submarines. After seven years, he felt ready for a change, pursuing a degree and then jumping into the tech industry, where he built a successful career in sales and business development. Through all the personal and professional challenges—including the loss of his brother and mother—Danny found solace in his work. Now, he’s focused on helping other veterans, especially submariners, transition into civilian careers with projects like Submariners United in Business.

Nick is joined by Rob Giles, who shares his journey from joining the army with minimal experience to starting his own successful company. He reflects on his early days in the military, where he joined to make his family proud but quickly realised it wasn’t his true passion. After a brief stint as an HGV driver, he rejoined the army with a fresh mindset, focusing on education and self-improvement. Rob talks about his experiences in Kosovo and Iraq, the evolution of military training, and how his mix of practical experience and academic achievements helped him transition into a career in governance and training. He stresses the importance of continuous learning, networking, and not being afraid to fail.

Rob offers advice for those leaving the military: start your own company, build a strong network, and focus on what you love, outsourcing the rest. It’s all about taking risks, learning from mistakes, and finding what truly makes you happy.

This week Nick Haley welcomes Alex Freeman to the podcast, who shares his inspiring journey from the military to entrepreneurship.

Alex had a long military career, serving for 22 years from the age of 18 and eventually becoming a company commander. He recounts his experiences in basic training, Sandhurst, and deployments in Northern Ireland, Germany, Bosnia, and Saudi Arabia, each providing unique cultural and operational insights.

Transitioning from the military to civilian life wasn't easy; after spending over half his life in the service he struggled when he finished. However, he shares with Nick how he not only managed, but thrived, in the subsequent years. His journey from earning an MBA to working in management consultancy and eventually founding his own company is essential listening for anyone coming out of the military.

Today Alex is getting ready for the launch of Stance Fitness, a company focused on enhancing strength training through data which he co-founded.