Service Academy Business Mastermind

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in Tampa, FL on January 18th & 19th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Jim Lose is the CEO of The Military Veteran, where he helps experienced veterans transition into executive leadership roles while partnering with growing businesses to build high-performing leadership teams. After more than 25 years in veteran recruiting and executive search, Jim has watched veteran careers evolve far beyond the first civilian job, opening doors to executive opportunities that simply didn't exist a decade ago. Over the years, many of the veterans Jim placed early in their careers returned looking for someone who understood both executive search and the military community. That need led him to The Military Veteran, where he now connects experienced leaders with companies looking to build exceptional teams.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Jim about:

• How Veteran Careers Have Evolved: Jim reflects on how the transition from military service has changed over the past 25 years and why today's veteran leaders have opportunities that simply didn't exist a decade ago.

• The Rise of Veteran Executive Search: Why more companies are looking beyond traditional recruiting to find experienced veteran leaders who can help scale growing businesses and private equity-backed firms.

• What Makes Veteran Leaders Stand Out: Jim shares the qualities private equity firms, defense technology companies, and founders value most when hiring veterans for senior leadership roles.

• Supporting Leaders Beyond the Hire: How coaching, leadership development, and long-term advisory support are helping both veteran executives and the companies they join succeed after day one.

• Building What's Next: Jim discussed expanding The Military Veteran's services, creating more opportunities for the veteran community, and his vision for becoming the leading executive search partner for veteran talent.

Timestamps:

00:58 What The MilVet Does

02:14 Then Vs Now Transitioning

05:23 Executive Roles And Clients

10:07 Why This Niche Exists

13:33 Joining The Military Veteran

17:30 Q4 Priorities And Expansion

19:24 Coaching Practice Explained

22:36 Moonshot Vision And Growth

24:14 Getting Unstuck And Sales Motion Connect with Jim:

• Linkedin | Jim Lose

• www.themilvet.org

• [email protected]

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode; subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Jim for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in Tampa, FL on January 18th & 19th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

David Johnston is the founder of Keystone Holdings of Texas, where he's rethinking how multifamily investors evaluate opportunity. After serving in the U.S. Army and graduating from West Point, David built a growing apartment portfolio while earning his MBA at Columbia Business School before joining Nuveen's affordable housing investment team.

As David grew his portfolio, he began questioning the way landlords traditionally evaluate tenants. Rather than relying solely on credit scores and rental history, he developed an approach centered on understanding a person's circumstances, character, and future potential. That philosophy has shaped both his investment strategy and his vision for using data to identify overlooked opportunities within the rental housing market.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with David about:

• Investing in Future Potential: Why David believes traditional tenant screening overlooks people who simply need an opportunity, and how that philosophy has reshaped his investment strategy.

• Scaling with an Unconventional Strategy: How David grew from a single fourplex to a 90-unit portfolio by taking a different approach to serving tenants and creating long-term value.

• Lessons from Institutional Real Estate: David compares building his own portfolio with managing thousands of affordable housing units, and the lessons he's applying from both worlds.

• The Moneyball Approach to Real Estate: How David is using analytics and AI to measure future potential and rethink the way investors evaluate opportunity.

• Navigating What's Next: David shares the challenges shaping today's real estate market, along with his vision for scaling Keystone Holdings and his unique investment model.

Timestamps:

00:51 David's Army to Real Estate Journey

02:51 Keystone Strategy Explained

05:15 Scaling with Data and Four Levers

08:05 Tenant Interviews and Screening

10:50 Coaching Tenants to Win

15:32 Future Potential vs Past Metrics

16:13 Scaling Plans and Moneyball Model

18:12 Day Job at Nuveen Affordable Housing

20:29 Rates Outlook and Buying All Cash

22:27 Columbia MBA and AI at Work

25:22 Current Challenges and Ask for Help Connect with David:

• LinkedIn | David Johnston

• [email protected]

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode; subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to David for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in Washington, D.C. on Sept 28th & 29th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Matthew Filbert is the founder of Reunion Baths, a modern bathhouse concept reimagining how people connect through wellness, community, and shared experience. After serving in the U.S. Army and later working as a software engineer, Matthew set out to build something entirely different: a place where people could disconnect from technology, slow down, and reconnect with one another.

Inspired by years of visiting bathhouses throughout New York City and around the world, Matthew saw an opportunity to bring a centuries-old tradition into a modern setting. Reunion Baths blends communal bathing, thoughtful design, and hospitality to create spaces where meaningful conversations, genuine relationships, and everyday wellness naturally come together.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Matthew about:

• An Unconventional Entrepreneurial Journey: How an unexpected passion for bathhouses led Matthew from software engineering to launching Reunion Baths.

• More Than a Wellness Trend: Why Matthew believes communal bathing fills a growing need for deeper human connection in an increasingly digital world.

• Designing an Experience People Remember: The vision behind Reunion Baths and how every detail is intended to encourage conversation, relaxation, and community.

• Bringing a Big Idea to Life: Matthew shares what it takes to raise capital, navigate development, and turn an ambitious concept into a reality.

• Building for the Long Term: From expanding into major cities to helping shape America's culture around communal bathing, Matthew shares the vision guiding Reunion Baths beyond its first location.

Timestamps:

00:41 Spa Love Story Begins

02:26 Russian Turkish Baths Spark

05:40 Why Bathhouses Are Back

09:37 Funding and Brooklyn Location

11:13 Inside the Bathhouse Design

13:54 Timeline and Build Plan

15:49 Big Vision and Expansion

19:03 How to Help and Invest Connect with Matthew

• LinkedIn | Matthew Filbert

• reunionbaths.com

• [email protected]

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode. Subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Matthew for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in Washington, D.C. on Sept 28th & 29th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Justin Koh is the owner of Al Phillips Dry Cleaners and co-founder of Magnoli.ai, a software platform built specifically for the dry cleaning industry. After serving as an acquisitions officer in the U.S. Air Force, Justin returned home to acquire his family's business, allowing his parents to step away after years of ownership. He approached the business with the same analytical mindset he developed in the military, growing the company from two locations into one of the largest dry cleaning operations in Las Vegas.

As the business grew, Justin found himself solving many of the same operational challenges facing independent dry cleaners across the country. Rather than work around outdated systems, he built the tools he wished had existed when he took over the business. Those lessons became Magnoli.ai, helping independent operators simplify day-to-day operations with software built around the realities of the industry.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Justin about:

• Finding Opportunity in Unexpected Places: Why taking over the family business became the start of an entrepreneurial journey Justin never expected.

• Growing Through Strategic Acquisitions: How a series of thoughtful acquisitions transformed a two-location business into one of the largest dry cleaning operations in Las Vegas.

• Building Magnoli.ai: The operational challenges Justin encountered inspired software built specifically for the unique needs of independent dry cleaners.

• Building a Better Business: Why stronger systems, better visibility into operations, and consistent execution became essential to long-term growth.

• Looking Ahead: Justin shares the challenges he's focused on today, where he sees the greatest opportunities for growth, and what's next for both Al Phillips and Magnoli.ai.

Timestamps:

00:44 From Academy to Family Shop

01:48 Early Struggles and Mindset Shift

04:15 COVID Deals and First Acquisitions

05:59 Vegas Expansion and Scaling Up

08:12 Turning Losses Around

09:19 Building Magnolia Software

14:10 Diversifying Dry Cleaning Services

16:04 Magnolia Today and Coaching Others

20:14 Vision for Stores and Software

28:01 Current Challenges and Funding Needs Connect with Justin

• LinkedIn | Justin Koh

• magnoli.ai

• [email protected]

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Justin for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in Washington, D.C. on Sept 28th & 29th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Bryan Denson is leading the expansion of Port of Subs across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region, building both company-owned locations and a network of future franchise owners. His vision extends beyond opening stores. He is creating opportunities for veterans, military families, and aspiring entrepreneurs to participate in business ownership and long-term wealth creation. Before entering the franchise industry, Bryan spent more than three decades serving in the military, government, and corporate sectors. From Army infantry training and Air Force intelligence work to business development and leadership roles in the private sector, each experience reinforced a lesson that continues to guide him today: confidence is built by taking on challenges. He now applies those lessons to entrepreneurship while helping others pursue opportunities of their own.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Bryan about:

• Lessons Learned Through Challenge: How military service, language training, and leadership experiences helped Bryan build the confidence to take on increasingly difficult opportunities throughout his career.

• Why Port of Subs: What attracted Bryan to a growing franchise brand and the vision behind its expansion across the East Coast.

• Building a Veteran-Centered Business Network: Creating opportunities for veteran-owned businesses, service providers, and future franchise owners to grow alongside one another.

• From Store One to Store Seventy: The strategy behind launching the first location, developing the DMV region, and scaling long-term franchise operation.

• Creating Opportunities for Others: Why success means helping veterans, military families, and aspiring entrepreneurs build their own path to business ownership.

Timestamps: 00:57 Brian Military Roots

03:09 From Service to Corporate

04:22 Finding Port of Subs

06:01 Dual Role and Territory

07:47 First Store Launch Plan

09:21 Scaling and Veteran Network

11:16 Dave Vision and Culture

16:42 Defining Success and Impact

18:53 Challenges and Help Needed

21:07 Franchise Requirements and Financing

Connect with Bryan:

• LinkedIn | Bryan Denson

• [email protected]

• www.portofsubs.com

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode. Subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Bryan for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in Washington, D.C. on Sept 28th & 29th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Vince Lindenmeyer is the founder of Conscious Impact Leader and Beacon 4sight Group. Through his work, he helps purpose-driven entrepreneurs gain strategic clarity, develop conscious leadership skills, and build businesses aligned with their values. He also works with nonprofit organizations to strengthen governance, increase revenue sustainability, and create a foundation for long-term success.

After retiring from the U.S. Army as a Colonel following a 26-year career, Vince found himself searching for a deeper sense of purpose beyond military service. His journey through entrepreneurship, Stoic philosophy, spiritual growth, and post-traumatic growth communities ultimately inspired the creation of Conscious Impact Leader, where he helps leaders overcome limiting beliefs, discover their purpose, and build lives of greater purpose and abundance.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Vince about:

• The Inner Work Behind Leadership: Why personal growth, self-awareness, and healing are often the foundation for lasting impact and organizational success

• Identifying and Reframing Limiting Beliefs: Recognizing the hidden beliefs around money, self-worth, and scarcity that may be holding leaders back.

• Where Purpose Meets Prosperity: Exploring how passion, service, and meaningful work can create both fulfillment and sustainable growth.

• Building the Conscious Impact Leader Community: Creating a space where nonprofit and business leaders can grow, collaborate, and support one another.

• Creating Legacy Through Service and Stewardship: Using intentional leadership, generosity, and long-term thinking to build lasting impact

Timestamps: 01:25 Vince's Military to Civilian Transition

05:06 Why Conscious Impact Leader Exists

09:19 Identifying and Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

12:24 The Conscious Impact Leader Framework

16:34 Reframing Money, Abundance, and Prosperity

20:39 Where Higher Consciousness Meets Higher Economics

23:55 Purpose-Driven Wealth Creation

31:47 Building Community and Creating Impact

34:38 Bitcoin, Sovereignty, and Recommended Resources

Connect with Vince:

• LinkedIn | Vince Lindenmeyer

• [email protected]

• www.securepathgov.com

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode. Subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Vince for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in Washington, D.C. on Sept 28th & 29th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Pat O'Boyle is the Chief Compliance Officer at Glen Eagle Advisors and a member of the leadership team behind Alooola, a technology-driven financial planning and investment platform. In addition to overseeing regulatory compliance, he supports business development and helps drive the growth of Aloooa's advisory and retirement planning services, including its expanding 401(k) platform for business owners.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Pat served as a Marine Corps infantry officer with 7th Marines and completed two deployments to the Middle East. After transitioning from military service, he built experience across investment banking, fintech, and wealth management through roles at Wells Fargo Securities, EquitiesEnd, and CBIZ before joining Glen Eagle Advisors to help scale Alooola's technology-first approach to financial planning.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Pat about:

• From the Marine Corps to Financial Services: How military leadership, investment banking, and startup experience ultimately led to helping build a technology driven planning platform.

• Creating Alooola's Hybrid Approach: Combining personalized financial advice with a mobile-first experience that keeps advisors accessible to clients.

• Helping Businesses Reduce 401(k) Costs: Helping business owners uncover hidden retirement plan fees while improving retirement plan offerings.

• How Technology Enhances the Advisor Relationship: Using technology to simplify investment management and create more meaningful client conversations.

• Building the Future of Financial Planning: Bringing investing, retirement planning, tax strategy, insurance, and advisor support into one platform.

Timestamps: 01:13 Marine Corps to Finance

02:10 Wells Fargo and COVID Markets

04:27 Startup Culture Shift

05:51 Joining Gleneagle and Alooola

09:06 Alooola App Overview

12:40 Why Build the App

14:57 Advisors Using the Platform

18:19 Building with AI and Compliance

21:49 Goals for 2026 and Beyond

25:08 Who They Help Most

Connect with Pat:

• LinkedIn | Pat O'Boyle

• [email protected]

• www.gleneagleadv.com

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode. Subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Pat for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in Washington, D.C. on Sept 28th & 29th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Ryan Micheletti is the co-founder of The Veteran Fund, a venture capital firm focused on investing in veteran-led critical technology companies. As a California National Guard veteran, Ryan has played a leading role in building the veteran startup ecosystem. Before launching The Veteran Fund, he founded VetTech, the first veteran-led startup accelerator, and later served as Head of Global Operations at Founder Institute, helping scale more than 8,000 startups across 200 cities worldwide.

Today, Ryan leads The Veteran Fund's strategy and ecosystem building efforts, backing exceptional veteran leadership teams in dual-use and mission-critical technologies. His work connects founders with early capital, strategic partners, and a growing network of investors committed to strengthening American innovation. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Ryan about:

• Building the Veteran Startup Ecosystem: Launching the first veteran-led accelerator and creating infrastructure to support founders after 9/11

• Investing in Leadership at the Seed Stage: Why The Veteran Fund prioritizes exceptional teams with deep domain expertise and long-term resilience.

• Critical Technology and Dual-Use Strategy: Backing companies that serve both commercial markets and national security priorities.

• From Fund One to Fund Two: Refining ownership strategy, increasing first-check size, and strengthening capital allocation discipline.

• Patriotic Capital and Long-Term Vision: Mobilizing family offices and aligned investors to support veteran-led innovation that reinforces American competitiveness.

Timestamps:

00:52 Origin of Veteran Fund

02:10 Building VetTech and FI

04:05 Fund Launch and Thesis

06:27 Ideal Deal Criteria

09:37 Havok AI Success Story

12:26 Fund Two Evolution

17:34 Ecosystem and Events

21:30 Goals and Bigger Mission

Connect with Ryan:

• LinkedIn | Ryan Micheletti

• [email protected]

• www.veteran.fund

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode. Subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Ryan for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in Washington, D.C. on September 29th & 28th?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

Travis Peace is the Co-Founder and President of Novum Home Loans, a digital mortgage company built specifically for the military community. After serving as a nuclear surface warfare officer and later holding senior mortgage leadership roles at USAA, he launched Novum to modernize VA lending through technology, efficiency, and mission-driven execution. At Novum, Travis is focused on building a scalable, AI-powered mortgage platform designed to deliver better rates, faster closings, and a trusted experience for veterans and active-duty families. His long-term vision is to become a dominant player in the VA lending space while staying rooted in service and community alignment.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Travis about:

• From Nuclear Officer to Mortgage Founder: Travis's transition from Navy leadership to building a veteran-focused digital lending platform.

• Modernizing VA Lending: The inefficiencies in traditional mortgage processes and how Novum is leveraging technology to streamline approvals and closings.

• AI in the Mortgage Industry: Using automation and data-driven systems to reduce friction, improve pricing, and enhance borrower experience.

• Serving the Military Community at Scale: Designing a lending platform built specifically for active-duty service members and veterans.

• Building a Scalable Digital Platform: Travis's long-term vision to grow Novum into a dominant force in VA home loans while maintaining trust and operational discipline.

Timestamps: 00:49 From Navy to USAA

04:40 Why Novum Exists

06:17 Cutting Mortgage Costs

09:15 Loan Types Beyond VA

10:43 Customer Journey Walkthrough

15:27 Finding Focus and Stride

18:29 Scaling Vision and Market Share

21:59 Next Goals Capital Tech Talent

26:08 Lead Sources and Referrals

Connect with Travis:

• LinkedIn | Travis Peace

• [email protected]

• www.novumhomeloans.com

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode. Subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to Travis for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd?

Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events

____

John Lynch is the Founder of Imprimis Financial, where he advises business owners, professionals, and Service Academy graduates on asset management, estate design, and tax-efficient wealth strategies. After serving as a field artillery officer and company commander during the Gulf War era, he earned his MBA in finance from NYU and began his career at Barclays and First Union before launching his own practice in Charlotte. Over the years, John has been working alongside private banking teams supporting large estates while building a discretionary investment model focused on disruptive technologies. With a foundation in institutional finance and technical trading, he leverages AI tools to help clients refine their goals and implement coordinated wealth strategies.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with John about:

• A Career Built on Reinvention: John shares his transition from Army leadership to institutional finance and ultimately building his own advisory practice.

• Managing Disruptive Technology Investments: How he evaluates companies like Nvidia and Tesla using both fundamentals and technical entry points to manage volatility.

• Using AI to Enhance Decision-Making: Leveraging artificial intelligence to analyze portfolios, compare insurance structures, and accelerate strategic planning.

• The Team-Based Wealth Model: Why high-net individuals need integrated advisors working together rather than operating in silos.

• Tax Strategy as Alpha: Creating value through liquidity management, estate design, and tax-efficient structures, not just investment returns.

Timestamps:

01:10 West Point to Army Career

02:56 MBA and Trading Roots

04:14 Building the Advisory Practice

05:36 Disruptive Tech Portfolio Model

07:49 How He Picks Entries

10:35 Ideal Clients and Service Grads

13:23 Ultra Wealth Team Planning

16:59 Using AI in Practice

22:04 Growth Goals and Legacy Shifts

Connect with John:

• LinkedIn | John Lynch

• [email protected]

• www.imprimis-financial.com

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode. Subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!

A special thank you to John for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01