The MILCOM Founders Podcast

MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 23: From Marine General to AI Innovator with Terry Williams

Join host Rod Loges and retired Marine Brigadier General Terry Williams as they explore leadership, community building, and the transformational power of technology in veteran entrepreneurship.

In this episode:

• Terry's journey from rebellious college student to 32-year Marine Corps career
• Building community and networks through the PenFed Veteran Entrepreneur Program
• How faith and perseverance help overcome life's greatest challenges
• Terry's innovative use of AI to create music albums, books, and full-stack applications
• Essential military leadership principles that drive entrepreneurial success
• The importance of spiritual growth alongside professional development

Key takeaways:

• Community and mentorship are critical barriers to veteran entrepreneurship success
• AI is a revolutionary tool that can turn one person into twenty, but requires verification
• Military values like humility, discipline, and adaptability translate directly to business success
• Persistence through failure often leads to greater success in subsequent ventures
• The PenFed program serves 200+ veterans with no cost and no equity requirements

Guest: Terry Williams, Retired Marine Brigadier General, Senior VP Global Fixed Assets at PenFed Credit Union, Program Director at PenFed Foundation

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrterry-v-williams/ 
• PenFed Credit Union: https://www.penfed.org/
• Program Info: penfedfoundation.org

Terry Williams served 32 years in the US Marine Corps, retiring as Brigadier General in 2019. Throughout his distinguished career, he commanded at all levels and took on critical logistics and strategic planning roles worldwide.

After military service, Terry founded Van Williams, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in facilities management and executive coaching. Currently, he leads the PenFed Veteran Entrepreneur Program, which has graduated over 200 veteran founders. Terry is also passionate about AI innovation, having created three Christian contemporary music albums, written thriller novels, and built full-stack applications using artificial intelligence tools.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial
www.onedegreefinancial.com

Support veteran entrepreneurs: Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 20: From Army First Sergeant to Life-Saving Emergency Solutions with Valerie Ellis Lavin

Join host Rod Loges and guest Valerie Ellis Lavin as she shares her journey from serving as a US Army First Sergeant to founding Luminary Global, a company providing emergency preparedness and trauma response solutions to clients ranging from sheriff's departments and fire rescue units to corporate clients like DoorDash and Cirque du Soleil.

In this episode:

• Valerie's 21-year Army career in military intelligence, serving from 1993 to 2014
• Her decision to join the Army after watching "Private Benjamin" - a moment that changed her life
• Serving as First Sergeant and the leadership lessons learned caring for soldiers
• Her 2010 deployment to Ramadi, Iraq during Operation New Dawn
• The eye-opening experience of transitioning from military to civilian life
• Building and losing her first veteran staffing company
• Discovering her passion for veteran entrepreneurship programs
• Co-founding Action Zone, a nonprofit supporting military and first responder entrepreneurs
• Transitioning Luminary Global from services to products in 2019
• How boxing became her outlet for fitness and stress relief

Key takeaways:

• Compartmentalizing emotions is a crucial business skill, but requires balance for mental health
• Understanding your strengths and staying in your lane while partnating with complementary skills
• The transition challenges many veterans face aren't always acknowledged by those still serving
• Automation and outsourcing can be better growth strategies than premature hiring
• Quality of life businesses are the backbone of communities
• The power of cohort-based learning across diverse industries

Guest: Valerie Ellis Lavin, Founder and CEO of Luminary Global, Co-founder of Action Zone, Retired US Army First Sergeant (21 years of service)

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerieellis7/
• Business Website: https://luminaryglobal.com/

Valerie Ellis Lavin is a retired US Army First Sergeant who served 21 years in military intelligence, including roles as First Sergeant for multiple units and as the J-2 Army enlisted leader at United States Central Command. After retiring in 2014, she experienced firsthand the challenges of veteran transition and became passionate about supporting veteran entrepreneurs.

She co-founded Action Zone, a nonprofit that has helped over 300 veterans, military spouses, and first responders through their entrepreneurship programs, with participants generating over $19 million in earned revenue and employing close to 700 people. With Luminary Global, Valerie and her husband Jeremy provide customized emergency preparedness solutions to everyone from individual preppers to major corporations and government agencies.

Beyond her businesses, Valerie serves on multiple veteran advocacy councils and is currently program manager for a major Tampa Bay initiative creating a comprehensive database of defense-related organizations and veteran support services.

Looking ahead: Valerie continues expanding Luminary Global's product lines while monitoring supply chain challenges, and growing Action Zone's impact in supporting veteran and first responder entrepreneurs across diverse industries.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial
www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode: From Naval Academy to Marine Osprey Pilot to Business Owner with Ahron Oddman

Join host Rod Loges and guest Ahron Oddman as he shares his journey from Brooklyn teenager to Naval Academy graduate, Marine Osprey pilot, and successful business owner through entrepreneurship.

In this episode:

• Ahron's path from a 9-year-old inspired by an air show to Naval Academy aerospace engineering graduate
• His decision to choose Marines over Navy and becoming one of the early Osprey pilots
• Flying combat missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom and helping write the manual for a new aircraft
• Acquiring PSS in March 2020 - just weeks before COVID shut down schools nationwide
• How military startup experience with the Osprey prepared him for business challenges
• Navigating the acquisition process and building relationships with existing teams
• The similarities between military leadership and business ownership

Key takeaways:

• Sometimes the path chooses you - embrace unexpected opportunities rather than rigid plans
• Early experience with "startup" environments (like new aircraft programs) translates directly to business
• Mission first, people always - prioritizing team welfare drives customer success
• Entrepreneurship through acquisition offers veterans immediate leadership opportunities
• Teaching, tailoring, and taking charge are essential sales principles
• Integration of faith, family, and business creates sustainable success

Guest: Ahron Oddman, CEO and Co-founder of PSS, Marine Osprey Pilot (15 years of service)

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

Business Website: https://pssk12.com/

Ahron Oddman is a Marine veteran who served as an Osprey pilot for 15 years, including combat deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Ahron graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in aerospace engineering before commissioning as a Marine officer.

As one of the early Osprey pilots, Ahron helped develop tactics and procedures for the revolutionary aircraft, giving him unique experience with startup-like environments within the military structure. After his military service, he transitioned to the private sector before acquiring PSS, a 25-year-old educational services company, in March 2020.

Ahron's acquisition of PSS came just weeks before COVID-19 shut down schools nationwide, providing an immediate test of his leadership and adaptability. He successfully guided the company through the pandemic while developing new digital products and maintaining strong customer relationships.

Looking ahead: Ahron continues to lead PSS while mentoring other veterans interested in entrepreneurship through acquisition, sharing hard-won lessons about the realities of business ownership beyond the search process.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 18: From Army Intelligence to Location Analytics with Brendan Huff

Join host Rod Loges and guest Brendan Huff as he shares his journey from Army counterintelligence to co-founding Anomaly Six, a cutting-edge behavior-based location intelligence and analytics company serving clients worldwide.

In this episode:

• Brendan's unexpected path from managing restaurants to 25+ years of military service
• His evolution from enlisted soldier to First Sergeant to Warrant Officer (W3)
• Leading signature management operations and red team assessments across high-threat environments
• Co-founding Anomaly Six and building location-based analytics technology
• The importance of collaborative leadership and knowing when to lead vs. follow

Key takeaways:

• Put the right person in the right role, regardless of rank or seniority
• You can't be an expert in everything - delegate effectively and avoid micromanaging
• Give team members opportunities to make mistakes and learn
• Communication in co-founder relationships requires hierarchy and decision-making clarity
• Take care of your physical and mental health as an entrepreneur
• Surround yourself with a network of people going through similar challenges
• It's okay to learn from others' mistakes instead of making them all yourself

Guest: Brendan Huff, Co-Founder and President of Anomaly Six, Army Warrant Officer (W3)

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanhuff/
• Business Website: anomalysix.com

Brendan Huff is a seasoned military entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience spanning defense, intelligence, and the corporate sector. He is the Co-Founder and President of Anomaly Six, a cutting-edge behavior-based location intelligence and analytics company supporting corporate, national security, defense, and allied partners worldwide.

Before launching his entrepreneurial journey, Brendan forged an impressive military and intelligence career spanning over two decades with the U.S. Army and Joint Special Operations Command. As a Senior Counterintelligence Technician, he led signature management operations and red team assessments across high-threat environments in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. His expertise was tested in the field through multiple deployments supporting Joint Interagency Task Forces, where he directed teams targeting Al Qaeda and affiliated Islamic networks on a global scale.

Brendan's academic credentials include graduation from the FBI National Academy at Quantico, a Master's in International Relations from Troy University, a Bachelor's of Public Relations from Murray State University, and specialized training in Intelligence Operations and Counterintelligence. Prior to founding Anomaly Six, he served as Senior Vice President at both Semantic AI and Babel Street, where he grew client bases and built pipelines exceeding $30 million across broad agencies and departments. He's also trained over 1,200 analysts and agents in advanced targeting methodologies and open-source intelligence.

Beyond his business ventures, Brendan remains deeply committed to the military community, serving as a Board Advisor for both the Special Operations Charity Network and Defense Entrepreneurs Foundation, while supporting veterans through his involvement with the TF-7294 Foundation, Vigilant Torch Foundation, and as a mentor with NATO DIANA. Anomaly Six was recognized as a winner of the Capitol Post Bunker Labs DC Chapter Pitch Competition and selected for the CEO Circle with JPMorgan Chase.

Looking ahead: Anomaly Six continues expanding their technology capabilities, allowing clients to bring their own data into containerized environments and enabling analysts to create their own models without requiring data scientist expertise.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 17: From Immigrant Teen to Special Operations Hero and Mental Health Advocate with Pasha Palanker

Join host Rod Loges and guest Pasha Palanker as he shares his remarkable journey from arriving in America as a 15-year-old refugee from Soviet Moldova to becoming a decorated Army Special Operations Master Sergeant and successful entrepreneur. Pasha is the founder and CEO of Deliverance Solutions Corp, a service-disabled veteran-owned business specializing in data analytics and AI solutions for government agencies.

In this episode:

• Pasha's immigration story from Soviet Moldova to Los Angeles as a teenager
• His path from grateful refugee to Army Special Operations, serving 17 years (2003-2020)
• Earning the Bronze Star for Valor and two Purple Hearts, including a face-to-face confrontation with a suicide bomber that saved 15 soldiers
• His candid discussion about mental health struggles and the journey to recovery
• How vulnerability and character building led to unexpected entrepreneurship
• Building Deliverance Solutions Corp with partner Dennis, focusing on government contracting
• His work as a mental health advocate and professional parachute demonstrator

Key takeaways:

• Character and trust are the most valuable assets in business and life
• Showing up consistently opens doors, even when you feel behind
• Mental health recovery requires taking responsibility and building yourself up step by step
• Being interested in others is more important than being interesting
• Vulnerability and authenticity can become your greatest strengths
• Success means constant growth and positively impacting those around you

Guest: Pasha Palanker, Founder and CEO of Deliverance Solutions Corp, Army Special Operations Master Sergeant (Retired), Bronze Star for Valor and Purple Heart (2x) recipient

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pasha-palanker-89141a13a/
• Business Website: https://www.deliverancecorp.com/

Pasha Palanker immigrated to America from Soviet Moldova at age 15 and enlisted in the Army in 2003 out of gratitude for his new country. During his 17-year career in Army Special Operations, he served multiple deployments in Iraq and Africa, earning the Bronze Star for Valor for confronting a suicide bomber and saving 15 soldiers' lives, along with two Purple Hearts.

After struggling with mental health challenges that led to medical retirement in 2020, Pasha transformed his recovery journey into advocacy work and entrepreneurship. His vulnerability in sharing his mental health story on LinkedIn went viral and established him as a trusted voice in the veteran community. This authenticity and character led friends to encourage him to start Deliverance Solutions Corp, where he now helps government agencies with data analytics and AI solutions.

Beyond business, Pasha works as a mental health advocate and professional parachute demonstrator, jumping 1,100-square-foot American flags into major sporting events and ceremonies across the country.

Looking ahead: Pasha focuses on growing Deliverance Solutions Corp while continuing his mission to help other veterans through mental health advocacy and sharing lessons learned from his journey.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial: www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at: https://www.milcomfounders.com/

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 16: From West Point Cyber Officer to Document Intelligence Innovator with Ian Garrett

Join host Rod Loges and guest Ian Garrett as he shares his journey from West Point graduate and Army cyber officer to co-founding Phalanx, a company that transforms document sharing into actionable business intelligence.

In this episode:

• Ian's path from Northern Virginia kid to West Point Glee Club member to Army cyber branch pioneer
• Transitioning from structured military and defense contracting environments to entrepreneurship
• Building resilience and grit through military service, PhD studies, and startup challenges
• Co-founding a company with his brother Austin and the advantages of family partnerships
• The evolution from AI security research to document intelligence solutions
• Navigating Techstars accelerator program and choosing between top-tier incubators

Key takeaways:

• Imposter syndrome is universal - if you feel like you belong everywhere, you're not pushing yourself
• Resilience requires practice and training, not just reactive responses to crisis
• You don't need a perfect idea to start a business - jump in and iterate based on customer feedback
• Early-stage businesses need minimal funding if you focus on customer development over salaries
• Team building and leadership skills from military service directly translate to startup success
• Document sharing doesn't have to be a "black hole" - visibility and analytics drive better outcomes

Guest: Ian Garrett, CEO and Co-founder of Phalanx, Former US Army Cyber Officer, West Point Graduate

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianygarrett/
• Business Website: https://phalanx.io/

Ian Garrett is a West Point graduate who served as a cyber officer in the Army, joining the cyber branch at its inception. He holds a PhD in computer engineering with research focused on AI and cybersecurity. After transitioning to the reserves, Ian worked in defense contracting before making the leap to entrepreneurship during the COVID era. Along with his brother Austin, he co-founded Phalanx, which helps startups and SMBs gain actionable insights from their document sharing activities. The company went through Techstars NYC and has evolved from AI security research to document intelligence solutions that solve real pain points for business development and sales teams.

Looking ahead: Ian continues building Phalanx while serving in the Army reserves, focusing on helping small teams that sell to enterprise clients gain visibility into their document interactions and convert that data into actionable insights.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 15: From Air National Guard to Firearm Safety Innovation with Shaun Tanaka

Join host Rod Loges and guest Shaun Tanaka as he shares his journey from serving in the Air National Guard to founding CastleLock™, a firearm safety company developing biometric technology to protect families while maintaining quick access for responsible gun owners.

In this episode:

• Shaun's path from Los Angeles public schools to Cal Poly to Air National Guard service
• His Eagle Scout project honoring his grandfather's legacy in the Japanese American community
• Overcoming rejection and learning to "collect 10 nos" as a growth exercise
• The personal tragedy that motivated him to become an entrepreneur and inventor
• Building CastleLock™ with co-founder Matt Phillips, a 12-year Special Forces veteran
• Earning four patents and securing 1,000 pre-sales in one month through customer validation

Key takeaways:

• "If you want feel better, blame other people, but if you want to get better, blame yourself"
• Being a "learn-it-all" rather than a "know-it-all" accelerates growth
• Military teamwork principles translate directly to successful co-founding partnerships
• Successful inventions solve problems customers actively seek solutions for
• Reframe nervousness as excitement when presenting your life's work
• Dreams don't die, they just get buried alive - so start before it's too late

Guest: Shaun Tanaka, Founder and CEO of CastleLock™, Air National Guard Airman First Class (current service)

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauntanaka/
• Business Website: https://castlelock.us/

Shaun Tanaka is an Air National Guard member serving as a Command and Control Operations Specialist while building CastleLock™, a firearm safety company focused on biometric technology. After losing a childhood friend to firearm violence during his sophomore year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Shaun committed himself to developing safety solutions that don't compromise accessibility for responsible gun owners.

An Eagle Scout who honored his grandfather's legacy through community service, Shaun co-founded CastleLock™ with Green Beret veteran Matt Phillips. Together, they've developed patented biometric safety devices that have achieved significant market validation, including 1,000 pre-sales in their first month of outreach to local gun stores.

Shaun also volunteers with the Civil Air Patrol, mentoring youth interested in Air Force careers and leadership development, continuing his commitment to service both in and out of uniform.

Looking ahead: Shaun aims to launch CastleLock's™ flagship product and earn customers' trust by creating firearm safety devices so effective that not buying one would leave families less safe.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 14: From Air Force Officer to Freedom-Enabling Entrepreneur with Laura Yang Renner

Join host Rod Loges and guest Laura Yang Renner as she shares her journey from Air Force officer to founder of Freedom Makers Virtual Services, a company that connects military spouses with small businesses needing flexible support.

In this episode:

• Laura's military family background spanning three generations of service
• Her path from Air Force Academy public affairs officer to international business experience in Beijing
• Building Freedom Makers after recognizing the perfect match between overwhelmed small business owners and skilled military spouses seeking flexible work
• Creating a business model that prioritizes freedom and flexibility for all stakeholders
• The importance of living life on your own terms and building a business around personal values

Key takeaways:

• Design your business and life around who you want to be, not external expectations
• Military spouses possess unique skills in organization, research, and adaptation that translate perfectly to business support
• Rules of engagement from military service create clear systems that scale as businesses grow
• You can always do more than you think you can; your brain often gets in the way
• Take time to properly define and measure success beyond just revenue
• Be open to pivoting your business model when transparency from others reveals better opportunities

Guest: Laura Yang Renner, Founder and Managing Director of Freedom Makers Virtual Services, Air Force veteran (6 years active duty, 6+ years reserves)

• LinkedIn: Connect with Laura Yang Renner
• Business Website: https://www.freedom-makers.com/

Laura Yang Renner comes from a multi-generational military family and served as a public affairs officer in the Air Force after graduating from the Air Force Academy. Following her active duty service, she earned an international MBA with an exchange at Peking University and gained small business experience in Beijing. After working in HR and attempting her first business venture, Laura founded Freedom Makers Virtual Services in 2015.

Freedom Makers operates on the principle of maximum flexibility, connecting military spouses with small businesses without minimum hour requirements or restrictive contracts. The company has celebrated 10 years in business and serves hundreds of clients while maintaining its core value of providing freedom to all stakeholders: business owners, military spouses, and Laura herself as she travels full-time.

Looking ahead: Laura continues to focus on scaling Freedom Makers while maintaining its flexibility-first approach and is currently working on developing better financial systems to support strategic growth decisions.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial
www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/

MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 13
From Army Captain to Chief Storyteller with Ira Koretsky

Join host Rod Loges and guest Ira Koretsky as he shares his journey from serving as a US Army Captain in the Medical Service Corps to founding The Chief Storyteller®, a communications consultancy that helps organizations improve performance and audience engagement through strategic storytelling and presentation coaching.

In this episode:

• Ira’s atypical military experience in healthcare IT, working primarily with civilian leadership
• His path from ROTC at Syracuse University to serving as CIO of an Army hospital at Fort Ord
• Building a hospital-based computer training center to enable just-in-time learning for doctors and nurses
• Navigating post-military life through the dot-com boom, bust, and 9/11 to eventually start his business in 2002
• 23+ years helping organizations improve communication through his proprietary storytelling frameworks
• Teaching more than 1,300 veteran entrepreneurs through the Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) program
• Why “The Chief Storyteller®” name stuck and became a trademarked brand identity

Key takeaways:

• Standing up for what's right—even to senior officers—can build mutual respect and stronger working relationships
• The military's emphasis on collaboration and coalition-building translates directly to business leadership
• Sales is often the biggest challenge for veteran entrepreneurs who naturally identify as helpers and educators
• Creating intellectual property is essential for business scalability and legacy
• Partnering with complementary experts can accelerate growth and impact

Guest: Ira Koretsky, Founder and Chief Storyteller of The Chief Storyteller®
Military Service: US Army Captain (5 years active duty, 3 years inactive), Medical Service Corps
Business Website: The Chief Storyteller®
LinkedIn: Connect with Ira

About Ira:
Ira Koretsky served as a U.S. Army Captain in the Medical Service Corps, where he led healthcare IT initiatives and designed executive-level communications. After earning his MBA from the University of Maryland, he entered the tech industry in Silicon Valley. Following 9/11, Ira founded The Chief Storyteller® in 2002. Since then, he has delivered more than 590 programs across 11 countries and developed proprietary storytelling frameworks now used by Fortune 50 companies, nonprofits, and government agencies alike. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland's Smith School of Business and a long-time instructor for the Veteran Institute for Procurement.

Looking ahead:
Ira is creating a standalone library of storytelling tools and frameworks as he prepares to transition his business by 2026, aiming to leave a legacy that helps others communicate with impact.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions military community business owners. Each episode offers practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial
www.onedegreefinancial.com

Support the Mission:
Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at milcomfounders.com

MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 12: From Air Force Veteran to Vending Innovator with Nick Grillo

Join host Rod Loges and guest Nick Grillo as he shares his journey from serving 12 years in the US Air Force to founding Elevate Vending, an innovative company transforming the vending experience with smart technology and locally sourced products.

In this episode:

• Nick's path from Air Force Power Support Systems Mechanic to entrepreneur
• How the pandemic shutdown led to unexpected business opportunities
• The creation of his "Caps Cave," an automated hockey celebration room that grew from one light to a full sensory experience
• Building Elevate Vending with a focus on local partnerships and superior products
• A pivotal business decision: turning down a major national contract that opened the door to working with Monumental Sports (Washington Capitals)

Key takeaways:

• Military service instills a unique form of perseverance and adaptability that transfers powerfully to entrepreneurship
• The importance of making decisions and moving forward rather than overanalyzing ("fail fast and pivot")
• Building a business around partnerships creates mutual value and opens unexpected doors
• Sometimes saying "no" to the wrong opportunity creates space for the right one
• Understanding and managing your business risk profile is essential for sustainable growth

Guest: Nick Grillo, Founder and CEO of Elevate Vending, US Air Force Veteran (12 years of service)

• LinkedIn: Connect with Nick Grillo
• Business Website: Elevate Vending

Nick Grillo is an Air Force veteran who served for 12 years, starting as a Power Support Systems Mechanic working on equipment for unmanned aircraft before transitioning to training management. After leaving the service, Nick founded Elevate Vending, which provides innovative, AI-powered smart vending solutions featuring locally sourced products and fresh food options.

Nick's company stands out in the marketplace by addressing common pain points in traditional vending services. Elevate focuses on creating partnerships with local vendors like ZenJoy (relaxation tea), Mighty Meals (fresh foods), and Illy Coffee to bring unique, high-quality products to their clients. Their smart autonomous coolers provide a modern solution that elevates the typical vending experience.

Looking ahead: Nick is building Elevate Vending for long-term success while ensuring it maintains its innovative edge and commitment to quality partnerships.

The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at www.milcomfounders.com