MILMO Show

It’s hard to believe we are winding down Veteran’s Appreciation Month and rolling into the holidays. Before we know it, it will be the new year. A new year is a great time to set yourself up for success all year long. But, a new year also means the beginning of a new tax season. 

Even though we know it’s coming, it can be a dreadful time of the year for people. I'm bringing back a popular episode on a topic to help us all have a can-do attitude and get mentally prepared for tax season. 

Here is the encore airing of The Tax Reality Every Veteran Needs to Know with Matt Stephens. 

https://milmo.co/podcast/tax-reality-every-veteran-needs

Building a successful tech-driven business is no small feat, but Sam Ingrassia has made it his specialty. As the CEO of BudgetSimple, Sam helps financial professionals, advisors, and brands grow their impact while generating recurring income. With more than 15 years of experience in engineering, marketing, and finance, Sam has built and scaled multiple web-based businesses, blending innovation with practicality. 

In this episode, Sam shares his journey into web-based entrepreneurship, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to succeed in today’s competitive, tech-driven world. We talk about the qualities entrepreneurs need to thrive, whether coding skills are still essential, and how to stand out using smart digital marketing strategies. Sam also dives into the importance of a strong online presence, including websites and SEO, and provides advice for anyone looking to enter the fintech or SaaS industries. 

Episode Time Stamps

00:55 Meet Sam Ingrassia: CEO of BudgetSimple 01:21 Sam's Journey into Web-Based Entrepreneurship 01:39 Qualities for Success in Tech-Driven World 03:10 Sam's Early Career and First Projects 05:09 Insights on Marketing and Data Utilization 07:06 SEO, Paid Search, and Email Marketing 11:30 Building a Tech Business: Challenges and Strategies 15:00 Importance of Websites and SEO for Businesses 17:18 Effective Content Strategies for Small Businesses 23:00 Advice for Aspiring Tech Entrepreneurs 27:45 Financial Professionals: Needs and Solutions 31:17 Random Quick Questions and Game Time 37:12 Wrapup

https://milmo.co/podcast/fintech-and-saas-world

The day you join the countdown to separation or retirement begins. Your days of being labeled a “service member” are numbered. At some point, you’ll become a “veteran” of military service. In a snap, your life and identity will change. Are you ready for veteranhood? How can you make the best life after the military for you and your family?

In this episode, I’m sharing how veterans can embrace their identity and leverage their unique experiences to thrive beyond the uniform.

https://milmo.co/podcast/veteranhood

Building a real estate investing empire while on active duty may seem like a monumental task, but it’s entirely possible with the right strategies. Johnny Lynum, a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, has done just that, growing his portfolio to over 115 properties worth $14 million.

In this episode, Johnny shares his journey into real estate investing, the methods he used to build wealth while serving full-time, and the lessons he learned along the way. He discusses how he identifies promising markets, common pitfalls new investors should avoid, and offers practical advice for fellow service members who want to get started in real estate. 

Johnny Lynum is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force who has served for over 19 years as a developmental engineer and intelligence officer. He is also an author, philanthropist, seasoned real estate investor, and coach. He has actively invested in real estate since 2006 and has purchased and sold single and multifamily properties across the SouthEast.

Johnny has over 115 doors in his real estate portfolio valued at over $14M, primarily located in Panama City, FL, and Montgomery, AL, real estate markets. Through his military service, Johnny has gained tremendous experience by leading diverse teams in deployed environments and managing a $1.3 billion dollar development contract. These skills have been instrumental in his ability to scale his real estate investing business while still actively serving our country full-time.

https://milmo.co/podcast/real-estate-investing-empire

Serving in the military comes with some perks. The VA home loan guarantee is one of the more popular benefits. It helps service members and veterans with home ownership. While it’s generally talked about, sometimes the exact details aren’t and can lead to not getting the most out of your benefit.

In this episode, Dr. Paul Lawrence discusses VA home loans in detail. He shares how the benefit works, who is eligible, how it can be used, and common misconceptions about it. He also talks about lesser-known VA loan benefits like Specially Adapted Housing grants.

https://milmo.co/podcast/VA-home-loan-guarantee

Members of the military are involved in problem-solving. It’s at the heart of a successful mission. Many don’t realize that it is also at the heart of STEM, or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It’s all about data and problem-solving.

In this episode, Navy veteran Anne Gibbon discusses how she is building a business to help others use data to its fullest potential to make better decisions. We also talk about her experience as the first woman to box for the Naval Academy and building a think tank for Seal Team 6.

https://milmo.co/podcast/data-to-drive-change

It’s no secret that I’ve had some trademark issues. When you build a business, you’re bound to be touched by trademarks in some way. You could file for your own trademark, or someone could be infringing on yours or you could be trying to be preventative. There are a lot of areas. 

One that is particularly unnerving is getting a notice from an attorney or, even worse, the United States Trademark and Patent Office that you’re infringing on someone else’s trademark or that your trademark is in jeopardy. Everyone can guess the reaction letters like that would cause. Pure panic to anyone who receives it. Do you know who knows that best? Scammers. I know this because I just almost got trademark scammed. 

In this episode, I’m sharing what trademark scam I was targeted with, what I did, the most common types of trademark scams, and how to keep yourself protected.

Show notes: https://milmo.co/podcast/trademark-scam

Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding a new career path in entrepreneurship. Not only are you starting something new, you have to make your own paycheck.

In episode 305, I’m joined by Justin Brock, a Marine veteran who went from aviation operations in the Marine Corps to building a successful career in financial services and running a thriving business. We dive into his journey, the lessons he learned about sales and marketing, and how he grew his insurance business by focusing on authentic relationships and quality service. Justin also shares valuable insights for veterans looking to start their own businesses.

The show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/authentic-marketing-and-sales

Service members and their families are a protected group when it comes to their finances. The Department of Defense intentionally protects the military community from predatory financial sales practices while they are serving. Those protections are no longer there when you separate or retire, making transitioning service members top targets of predatory sales practices. 

In this episode, Drew Stamp discusses what service members and their families are up against when they’re leaving the military and how to educate themselves and combat bad actors in the financial and veteran space. We also discuss whether all the benefits the community receives could negatively affect them.

We talk about:

• Transitioning from Military Service
• Purpose, Identity, and Community
• Predatory Financial Practices
• Financial Literacy Gaps
• Misleading Sales Practices
• The Importance of Gratitude and Self-Sufficiency
• Positive Traits of Financial Professionals
• Financial Planning for Transition

Show notes: https://milmo.co/podcast/predatory-financial-sales-practices

The relationship between money and marriage can be complex especially when you add military service to the mix. When you bring two different backgrounds to a relationship and if you’ve had marital problems, managing money together can be all the more challenging. 

In this episode, veteran and military spouse Tyron White and I discuss the financial challenges military couples face, the importance of seeking help for both marital and financial issues, the power of financial therapy, and the misconceptions about getting help.

Show notes: https://milmo.co/podcast/rebuilding-financial-health /