Service Academy Business Mastermind

"I want Zimba to be a key part of the digitization process that we're starting to see in Uganda and other parts of Africa, especially for financial institutions." -Isaac Were, USMA '16

Isaac Were is the CEO of Zimba Technologies, a SaaS financial technology company that builds cloud-based software to digitize and automate financial institutions as well as provide them with access to capital. Zimba's mission is to bridge financial gaps in developing markets through innovation and technology. Originally from Uganda, Isaac is addressing the problem of access to capital for individuals and business owners in the more rural parts of his home country. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a Biomedical Concentration.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What led Isaac to start Zimba
• The types of clients Zimba serves and the services the company provides
• The typical journey for a customer using our Zimba's core banking platform
• Isaac's most important short-term and long-term goals
• The biggest challenges Isaac is facing as he works to scale Zimba

Isaac explains that in Uganda, a majority of the population lives in villages that are on the outskirts of the major cities. By working with the Savings and Credit Cooperatives to help improve their operations and infrastructure, Zimba can improve access to finance for all people, regardless of location. We enjoyed our conversation with Isaac and admire the work he is doing to cultivate economic growth and inclusion in Uganda. Great work, Isaac!

Connect with Isaac:

• LinkedIn
• zimba.io
• [email protected]

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.

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• Leave us a 5-star review!

Special thanks to Isaac for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

"...if we can learn to lead ourselves, to manage our minds and our emotions and our actions in our private life, in our health, in our relationships and in the corporate world, then we are better positioned to use those critical thinking skills to make a difference in our businesses and in the greater world…" -Traci Fisher, USMA '91

Traci Fisher, a West Point graduate from the class of '91, embarked on a transformative journey after her career as a helicopter pilot in the Army. Delving into the realm of fitness and health, she developed an innovative approach known as Wellbeingness®. This methodology integrates cognitive and physical sciences to optimize executive performance, enabling leaders to attain and sustain peak wellness. Through the application of self-leadership principles, Traci empowers individuals and teams to unlock their personal and professional potential amid complex and uncertain environments. Traci boasts certifications as a Health and Wellness Coach, ICF Professional Certified Coach, Gallup Strengths Coach, and Red Team Critical Thinker. She is also the host of The Healthy Leader Podcast and holds the position of managing director at two health and wellness companies. Passionate about holistic wellness, Traci, a proud mother of three adult children, resides in Cleveland with her family and their two beloved Beabulls, Emmie & Oscar.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Traci's journey to becoming a Wellness Coach and her ideal client
• The Wellness Coach process and the Wellbeingness® Model
• Her top strengths and how she leverages them as a Wellness Coach
• Challenges Traci currently faces and goals for 2024
• Creating a vision statement that brings the future into the present

When Traci first began her health and fitness journey, she knew what to do to help her clients' physical wellbeing but did not know how to make the changes last. Realizing she was missing the key components of emotional and mental health, Traci created the Wellbeingness® Model to marry wellness and wellbeing and give her clients a foundation to self-lead in often overscheduled and unpredictable environments. As a wellness coach, she relies on her top strength of Learner to consume large amounts of wellness data and to listen to the needs of her clients to provide the best tools for them. Sharing her vast health and wellness expertise gained over the past 25 years in the industry, Traci reminds us that caring for our mental and emotional wellbeing as well as our physical selves is essential to attaining peak performance in our professional and personal lives and offers her best wellness tips.

Connect with Traci:

• LinkedIn
• The Wellness Coach

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.

Subscribe and help out the show:

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• Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher
• Leave us a 5-star review!

Special thanks to Traci for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

"You can sometimes convince somebody to buy a bottle of your whiskey the first time because of the story that you have, and I think we have a good story, but if the whiskey is no good, then they're never going to buy another bottle. So the ideal combination is you've got a really good story and you've got a really great product." -Ted Dumbauld, USNA '81

Ted Dumbauld is the Founder and CEO of SoNo 1420, an innovative, Double Gold award-winning distillery in South Norwalk, CT known for its ultra-premium brand whiskeys, vodkas, ready-to-drink vodka-based cocktails, innovative Threesome Ready-to-Mix Cocktails, and botanical gins. Before starting SoNo 1420, Ted was a successful investment manager of public and private securities and an aggressive and creative deal-maker. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and his Master of Science in Finance from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Ted's inspiration for starting SoNo 1420 and what makes his product unique
• How the special "1420 Finished At Sea" product offering is made
• The key elements to building a successful spirits brand from scratch
• The most important relationships Ted has related to sales and marketing
• Ted's most important goals for 2024 and the biggest challenges he is currently facing

Ted shares the challenges that are unique to the spirits industry as it is a three-tiered system made up of producers, distributors, and sellers. Because SoNo 1420 works with many different distributors to get its product out there, there is a lot of work involved when entering into a new market. As an emerging brand, Ted works hard to come up with creative ways to market his products so customers are familiar with them once distributors get them on the shelves in retail locations. We enjoyed speaking with Ted about what it takes to build a successful whiskey brand in the competitive spirits industry. Cheers to the growth of SoNo 1420!

Connect with Ted:

• LinkedIn
• SoNo 1420

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.

Subscribe and help out the show:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher
• Leave us a 5-star review!

Special thanks to Ted for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

"We're really taking care of the houses and we're really taking care of the families that are living in these houses. We're providing a service just as much as we are being landlords because these families can take their government vouchers wherever they go. We have to be good stewards of the government funding or else it is going to naturally leave." -Briar Bearss, USMA '22

Briar Bearss is an entrepreneur focused on real estate and private capital. His former ventures include My Tennessee Home Solution, Tennessee's premier off-market homebuyer. Briar is the President and CEO of the Bearss Company, a boutique alternative asset manager holding controlling positions in exceptional companies and projects. He also leads The Bearss Foundation, a private family foundation formed under Section 501(c)(3) providing scholarship opportunities and mentorship to high school students in his home state of Michigan. Briar currently serves as an Army Officer and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management & Systems Engineering.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Briar's real estate investing business has grown and changed
• Briar's goals as he wraps up his first fund and begins to plan for his second
• The sources through which Briar learned about real estate investing and his approach as he continues to grow his knowledge
• The Bearss Foundation and how it helps to expand the horizons of kids in the greater Flint, MI area

Briar shares his greatest sources of learning as he educated himself about real estate investing. In addition to reading and consuming as much content as he can on the subject, Briar connects with others who have achieved success in the field and seeks mentorship. By sharing his ideas and work with others in his network, he is constantly improving his processes and operations. Briar takes advantage of every opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with others, which will help him go far as a real estate entrepreneur. Kudos to you, Briar, and we look forward to seeing all you achieve!

Connect with Briar:

• LinkedIn
• bearssproperties.com
• bearssfoundation.org

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.

Subscribe and help out the show:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher
• Leave us a 5-star review!

Special thanks to Briar for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

"In today's world, a lot of things are moved out into the cloud…it's up to the business themselves to protect that data." -Dennis Moore, USAFA '87

Dennis Moore is the Founder of Coefficient Technologies, a trusted cybersecurity partner that provides the most up-to-date cybersecurity solutions, strategies, and IT services to help companies defend themselves from known and unknown APTs and attackers, ransomware, scams, outdated policies and best practices, and insider threats. Dennis has over 30 years of experience building and maintaining computer networks and providing information technology services and solutions. His specialties include cybersecurity, network design and implementation, data center operations, IT and web architecture and management, network security, and business continuity.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What Coefficient Technologies is and the types of clients Dennis helps
• The biggest cybersecurity threats that exist today
• Dennis's career in IT, from the Air Force to the private sector
• The goals Dennis has for Coefficient Technologies for this year

Connect with Dennis:

• LinkedIn
• Coefficient Technologies

We learned a lot from Dennis, a true expert in the cybersecurity space, about how small business owners can protect and even increase the value of their company by putting the proper IT safeguards in place. Thanks for chatting with us, Dennis!

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.

Subscribe and help out the show:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher
• Leave us a 5-star review!

Special thanks to Dennis for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

"I think it's easy to make your first million. What's hard is staying there and doing it consistently, because now, all of the pressure is on you." -Max Sivohins, USCGA '13

Max Sivohins is a serial entrepreneur primarily focused on multi-family real estate development and government contracting. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Archie Supply, a distribution company that supplies over 100,000 office, janitorial, and safety products to federal, state and local government agencies from 54 warehouses across the nation. As a real estate investor, Max's portfolio is comprised of over 50 units including mixed-use, multi-family, residential, and office properties. He is also the President and Co-Founder of Skydive Chesapeake, a drop zone operated by a collection of professional skydivers with over 50 years of experience in the sport. Max is a 2013 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy and will be earning his MS in Real Estate Development from George Mason University in May 2024.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Max's story of how he moved to the United States and ended up at the Coast Guard Academy

• Some of Max's early entrepreneurial ventures and how he found his way to government contracting

• How Max entered into real estate investment to preserve and grow his wealth

• The AI company he is supporting the development through research and development and beta testing

• The mindset behind Max feeling unstoppable

Connect with Max:

• LinkedIn

Max shares that his success stems from the relationships he has built and continues to foster. When his family moved to America after the Soviet Union collapsed, they knew no one. Now, Max takes pride in the connections he has made and how he has built and grown his many business ventures. Thank you, Max, for sharing your story as an entrepreneur with us!

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.

Subscribe and help out the show:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher
• Leave us a 5-star review!

Special thanks to Max for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

"Esports can turn something that could be very negative…180 degrees into a very positive experience for a child's life." -Patrick Cronin, USMA '13

Patrick Cronin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Vanta, an esports company that provides a curriculum, a platform, and leagues to help kids from 8-18 grow into the best version of themselves. The company integrates the lessons and life skills gained from traditional sports—being part of a team, learning how to win and lose well, and showing up for each other—into esports, allowing kids to become inspiring athletes and model citizens who can positively impact the gaming world and become future leaders. Pat earned his BS in Systems Management from the United States Military Academy at West Point and his Master of Business Administration from the Boston College Carroll School of Management.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The inspiration for starting Vanta
• How the program works at schools across the country and the positive impact it is having on kids
• The growth Vanta has experienced so far and Pat's goals for this year
• How Pat and his team partner with large name brands in unique ways
• The challenges Vanta is facing as it continues to grow

90 percent of kids identify as a gamer, meaning they spend 10 hours a week or more gaming. Pat shares that the team at Vanta is making an impact on this demographic of kids by providing an after-school activity of interest to them that allows for social and emotional development, mentorship, and a sense of community. Not only is it rewarding for Pat to provide kids with an opportunity they wouldn't have had otherwise, but it is also rewarding for Vanta as a company, which will be cash-flow positive starting this month. We enjoyed hearing from Pat about the very popular esports industry and how Vanta is creating community in the space. Congratulations on all of your success so far, Pat, and we look forward to seeing Vanta continue to grow!

Connect with Pat:

• LinkedIn
• vanta.gg
• [email protected]

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.

Subscribe and help out the show:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher
• Leave us a 5-star review!

Special thanks to Pat for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

"Any storied franchise that would love to get on board and continue to add more value to the brand they have already created would be a huge milestone." -Antoine Hood II, USAFA '06

Antoine Hood II is a professional basketball player, cancer survivor, published writer, U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, and military officer. As an NBA free agent guard, Antoine has played in preseason/training camp for the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets. He has excelled in the hoops world, starring on a select USA basketball team playing in China, excelling with international pro teams, and earning Mountain West all-conference honors. As a published writer, Antoine's most recent work is a thought-provoking book of poetry titled Hood Thoughts II. He continues to serve his country as an officer in the US Air Force Reserves. As a cancer survivor, Antoine has faced and defeated life-threatening adversity. He recently launched his new business, Iondration, which has a line of customizable water bottles tailored for the sports market.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Antoine's journey to playing basketball at the Air Force Academy
• His new startup, Iondration, and his vision for the product
• His goals for Iondration in 2024
• The moment as an entrepreneur that gave Antoine affirmation for his idea
• Antoine's experiences playing against some basketball greats and what he learned about mental capacity, fortitude, durability, and consistency

During his time playing professional basketball, Antoine learned that one's mental game is what takes someone from good to great. Having strong mental capacity, fortitude, durability, and consistency allows professional athletes to achieve greatness, but this also can be applied to entrepreneurship. Those lessons Antoine learned while playing hoops are bringing him to the next level with his startup. From basketball, to poetry, to his new innovative product, we enjoyed chatting with Antoine about the different facets of his life and career. Thanks for joining us, Antoine!

Connect with Antoine:

• LinkedIn
• X: @antoinehood26
• Instagram: hoodwinked06
• Facebook: Antoine Hood II
• Hood Thoughts II on Amazon
• [email protected]

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.

Subscribe and help out the show:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher
• Leave us a 5-star review!

Special thanks to Antoine for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

"I'm an acquirer and curator of ideas and strategies, and I have a Rolodex of people to execute those strategies." -Steve Wingard, USMA '87

Steve Wingard is the Founder and Managing Partner of Wayfinder Wealth, a financial advising firm that helps families and business owners uncomplicate complex planning with a specialization in high net-worth strategies. Steve is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and has been a financial services professional for more than 20 years. He enjoys simplifying the process through problem-solving for intangibles and is passionate about helping clients to achieve their goals. At Wayfinder, Steve works to shape the future services and capabilities of the firm and leverages his strategic financial planning expertise to empower enterprising individuals and families.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What Steve does at Wayfinder Wealth and how he helps clients look at their complete financial picture
• How Steve came about writing his e-book, "A Dozen Ways to Derail Your Wealth"
• Steve's journey in the world of financial advising and what has made him successful
• Some of the strategies Steve uses to solve the financial "puzzles" his clients face
• Steve's most important goals for 2024

Steve's unofficial title at Wayfinder is "Chief Puzzle Officer" because he likes to look at a client's complete picture and put all of the pieces together to create the best strategy possible. By assembling a curated team of advisors that he knows will best suit each individual set of circumstances, Steve can ensure that his client's financial plan stays focused and well-coordinated. Thank you, Steve, for sharing your expertise with us. You are a wealth of knowledge!

Connect with Steve:

• LinkedIn
• Wayfinder Wealth

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.

Subscribe and help out the show:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher
• Leave us a 5-star review!

Special thanks to Steve for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01

"Our vision for DAG is to become that trusted go-to for clear-eyed UAS insight within the industry."-Bill Daggett, USAFA '01

Bill Daggett is the Founder and Managing Director of Delta Advisory Group (DAG), a commercially focused consulting company with a concentration on emerging Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) platforms and capabilities. DAG uses its vast operational experience, market knowledge, and extensive network to create UAS solutions that deliver real results. Bill's 24 years of service in the Air Force and Air National Guard, including time as an MQ-9 Pilot and Functional Area Manager, provided him with extensive experience in the aviation sector, including interfacing with government agencies for global missions. Bill is a 2001 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How did Bill ended up in the UAS industry his experience in the Air Force and Air National Guard
• The resources that are available for a company starting out in the UAS space
• What industry trends and unique use cases Bill is most excited about
• The different types of clients Delta Advisory Group works with

At Delta Advisory Group, Bill and his team serve three main customer groups—founders of UAS start-up companies that have drone technology and need to develop a business plan, individuals and institutions looking to invest in the UAS space, and overseas UAS companies that are looking to enter the US market. With Bill's passion, expertise, and network, he is able to help his clients reach their goals in the industry. We learned a lot from Bill about what is happening right now in the quickly evolving UAS market. Thanks for sharing with us, Bill!

Connect with Bill:

• LinkedIn
• Delta Advisory Group

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.

Subscribe and help out the show:

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher
• Leave us a 5-star review!

Special thanks to Bill for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01