The Leadership Void Podcast

In this podcast episode, we speak with Eric Brew (Manager of Veteran Engagement at American Corporate Partners) about his time in the Army, his role as a Senior Enlisted, and his transition to his job with ACP. Eric shares his background and what he does to support the community. He shares what he does to keep sharp as a leader and his memorable AHA moment. Eric gives his advice to new leaders and also details his strategy around times of change and challenge.   

To get in touch with Eric:  

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericbrew  

To get in touch with ACP:  

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-corporate-partners 

Website: https://www.acp-usa.org  

This podcast is sponsored by:   

Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (VEI)   

Website: https://vei.center    

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerveterans  

and   

Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses, inc. (FAVOB)   

Website: https://www.favob.net   

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/favob   

and   

Triple Nikel   

Website: https://triplenikel.com/theleadershipvoidpodcast  

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/triple-nikel  

👉 Make sure to use this code at checkout: THELEADERSHIPVOIDPODCAST

In this podcast episode, we speak with Kenneth Gay (CEO/Founder of Kenneth Gay Education). Kenneth shares his background as an Army officer and how he juggled between being in the National Guard and being a Teacher/Principle. He speaks about his company and where they are headed. He also discusses what he does to stay sharp, his leadership 'AHA' moment, and advises young leaders. We end with what he does to stay in front of times of change and challenge.  

To contact Kenneth:  

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kenneth-gay

Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kenneth-gay-education

Website: https://kennethgayeducation.com 

Find "The Shoes' series on Amazon.  

This podcast is sponsored by:         

Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (VEI)                  

Website: https://vei.center               

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerveterans         

and           

Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses, inc. (FAVOB)           

Website: https://www.favob.net          

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/favob           

and            

Triple Nikel           

Website: https://triplenikel.com/theleadershipvoidpodcast        

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/triple-nikel         

Make sure to use this code at checkout: THELEADERSHIPVOIDPODCAST

In this podcast episode, we speak with Daryl Hych (CEO/President of The Switzer Hych Group) about his Naval service, his journey into entrepreneurship, and how he impacts the community. Daryl shares his background and how he was ushered into the Navy and started his entrepreneurial path. Daryl speaks about his company, their future, and what they do in the local Tampa community. He gives us his leadership AHA moment, advice for new leaders, and advice to those facing change and challenges.  

To get in contact with Daryl:  

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryl-hych-2b9586a  

Website: https://www.switzerhych.com  

This podcast is sponsored by:       

Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (VEI)                

Website: https://vei.center             

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerveterans       

and         

Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses, inc. (FAVOB)         

Website: https://www.favob.net        

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/favob         

and          

Triple Nikel         

Website: https://triplenikel.com/theleadershipvoidpodcast      

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/triple-nikel       

Make sure to use this code at checkout: THELEADERSHIPVOIDPODCAST

In this podcast episode, we speak with Kevin K. Ross-Andino (founder and Managing Partner of éclat Law, PA) about his background, rich family military service, and how he got into law instead of military service. Kevin shares with us about his law firm, what he does in the community, and how he helps Veterans through his give-back philosophy. He speaks about the future of his firm and what he does to sharpen his leadership saw. Kevin gives his best advice to new leaders, his most memorable leadership AHA moment, and how leaders can navigate times of change and challenge.  

To get in touch with Kevin:  

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-ross-andino-2bbb618  

Website: http://www.eclatlaw.com  

Phone: 407-636-7004  

This podcast is sponsored by:     

Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (VEI)              

Website: https://vei.center            

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerveterans     

and        

Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses, inc. (FAVOB)       

Website: https://www.favob.net      

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/favob       

and        

Triple Nikel       

Website: https://triplenikel.com/theleadershipvoidpodcast    

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/triple-nikel     

Make sure to use this code at checkout: THELEADERSHIPVOIDPODCAST

In this podcast episode, we speak with Nikki James Zellner (Founder of Where Content Connects and CO Safe Schools) about her journey from journalism and corporate to entrepreneur and activist. Nikki shares her backstory of going from Alabama to being a Navy Military Spouse and becoming an Entrepreneur. She speaks about how her journalistic background helped her as a marketing expert and how it fueled her desire to become a business owner and how a family tragedy was turned into a law-changing event. Nikki gives us her leadership AHA moments, advice for emerging leaders, and how she strategizes around times of challenge and change.  

To get in touch with Nikki:  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkijameszellner 

Website: https://www.nikkijameszellner.com 

Website: https://www.carbonmonoxideinschools.org 

This podcast is sponsored by:      

Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (VEI)             

Website: https://vei.center           

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerveterans   

and      

Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses, inc. (FAVOB)      

Website: https://www.favob.net     

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/favob     

and      

Triple Nikel      

Website: https://triplenikel.com/theleadershipvoidpodcast   

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/triple-nikel   

Make sure to use this code at checkout: THELEADERSHIPVOIDPODCAST

In this episode, we speak with Raquel Riley Thomas (Publicist and owner of An Officer and Gentlewoman LLC). Raquel starts off by sharing her background and time in the US Army as an enlisted, and officer. She also speaks about her time as a pageant queen, publicist, and her company (AOAGWLLC) focusing on beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. Raquel speaks about the importance of mentorship and how hiring Veterans is a good idea. We discuss what she learned from the challenges faced in the military and as an entrepreneur. She shares what's on the horizon for AOAGWLLC and what she does to sharpen her saw as a leader. She gives advice to new leaders and shares her memorable aha moments, and her strategies to face times of challenges and change.  

To contact Raquel:  

Website: https://aoagwllc.com 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aoagwllc 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquel-riley-thomas-3000a3199 

This podcast is sponsored by:    

Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (VEI)           

Website: https://vei.center         

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerveterans 

and    

Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses, inc. (FAVOB)    

Website: https://www.favob.net   

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/favob   

and    Triple Nikel    

Website: https://triplenikel.com/theleadershipvoidpodcast 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/triple-nikel 

Make sure to use this code at checkout: THELEADERSHIPVOIDPODCAST

In this podcast episode, we speak with Anita Staton (CEO, Miles Enterprise Solutions) and Laura Declouet-Smith (COO, Miles Enterprise Solutions) about their time in service, their transition, and their eventual journey in Entrepreneurship. They speak about the background of the company, where they are, and headed in the near future. We speak about their leadership experiences and hear their take on advice for new leaders, facing change and challenges, and the "AHA" moment.  

To get in touch with Miles Enterprise Solutions:  

Company Website: https://milesenterprise.com 

Company LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/milesenterprisesolutions 

Anita's Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitastaton 

Laura's Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-declouet-smith-865389120 

This podcast is sponsored by:    

Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (VEI)           

Website: https://vei.center         

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerveterans and    

Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses, inc. (FAVOB)    

Website: https://www.favob.net   

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/favob   

and    

Triple Nikel    

Website: https://triplenikel.com/theleadershipvoidpodcast 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/triple-nikel 

Make sure to use this code at checkout: THELEADERSHIPVOIDPODCAST

In this episode, we speak with Mike Steadman (Founder and CEO of IRONBOUND Boxing, creator of IRONBOUND Media) about his time as a Marine Corps Officer, his transition to civilian life, his entrepreneurial journey and his becoming a founder. Mike gives details of a tough leadership moment in the war zone, and how he reacted to the adjustment. He shares his entrepreneurial journey and the future of his business. Mike also shares his memorable leadership "AHA" moment and some key takeaways for future leaders and those considering becoming leaders.  

To get in touch with Mike:  

Email: [email protected]  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iron-mike-steadman-3387586a 

Website: https://www.ironboundmedia.com 

Books on Amazon: Black Veteran Entrepreneur  

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Veteran-Entrepreneur-Validate-Greatness/dp/B0BJ7TR1JJ/ref=sr_1_2?crid=6R37O99JH6US&keywords=black+veteran+entrepreneur&qid=1673899983&sprefix=black+veteran+entrepreneur%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-2

Podcast: The Transition & Dog Whistle Branding  

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-transition/id1532812903 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dog-whistle-branding/id1584864423 

This podcast is sponsored by:    

Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (VEI)           

Website: https://vei.center         

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerveterans   

and    

Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses, inc. (FAVOB)    

Website: https://www.favob.net   

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/favob   

and    

Triple Nikel    

Website: https://triplenikel.com/theleadershipvoidpodcast   

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/triple-nikel   

Make sure to use this code at checkout: THELEADERSHIPVOIDPODCAST

In this podcast episode, we speak with Karen Hetz (Founder & Chief Happiness Officer, Kids' Cake Boxes) about her life as a military spouse, and being an entrepreneur and founder. Karen shares her adventures as a military spouse, how she got into entrepreneurship and how she came up with the idea for her business. She talks about her leadership development, her most memorable AHA moment, and what she feels is most important for new leaders to know. Karen explains her strategies for times of change and challenges and offers her best leadership advice.  

To get in touch with Karen:  

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenhetz , https://www.linkedin.com/company/kids-cake-boxes 

Website:  https://kidscakeboxes.com 

Use this code for your discount on purchases: TLVPODCAST   

IG & FB: @kidscakeboxes  

This podcast is sponsored by:  

Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (VEI)         

Website: https://vei.center      

 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerveterans 

and  

Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses, inc. (FAVOB)  

Website: https://www.favob.net 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/favob 

and  

Triple Nikel  

Website: https://triplenikel.com/theleadershipvoidpodcast 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/triple-nikel 

Make sure to use this code at checkout: THELEADERSHIPVOIDPODCAST

In this first episode of 2023 and Season 4, we speak with Rafael Caamaño (Director, of Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (VEI)) about his time in the Army, transition, and entrepreneurship. Rafael shares his journey from the Army to becoming a civilian, and how he found his way into a successful business and later founding a non-profit to help other Veteran business owners. He speaks about his company, VEI, and what they are thinking of doing in the future. He also speaks about his AHA leadership moment and advice for those starting out in leadership. Rafael details the process he uses when times of challenge and change come and what he believes every leader needs to know.   

To get a hold of Rafael:  

Websites: https://thevei.org  

Email: [email protected] 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafaelcaamano 

This episode is sponsored by:   Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative (VEI)         

Website: https://vei.center       

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerveterans 

and  

Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses, inc. (FAVOB)  

Website: https://www.favob.net 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/favob