Veteran Entrepreneur Talks

By Katie

More veterans than ever are choosing to pursue entrepreneurship. Each week, we sit down with a veteran entrepreneur to talk about the transition from military service to building a business.

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FAQs about Veteran Entrepreneur Talks:

How many episodes does Veteran Entrepreneur Talks have?

The podcast currently has 18 episodes available.

Veteran Entrepreneur Talks episodes:

April 15, 2020 Ep 8: Lisa Bodenburg, Marine Corps Veteran & Owner of Liberty Fitness
In this episode, we talk with Marine Corps Veteran Lisa Bodenburg, Owner of Liberty Fitness. She’s an elite athlete motivational fitness coach and nutritionist. We talk about how she turned a lifelong passion for fitness into a purposeful, mission-drive business, the importance of niche-ing down and speaking directly to your ideal customer, and why you should start listening to other people who see potential in you.
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43min
April 01, 2020 Ep 7: Brian Olivier, Navy Veteran & Founder of Gluconfidence
In this episode, we talk with Navy Veteran Brian Olivier. He’s the founder of GluConfidence - a company that provides all-natural, convenient nutrition solutions for people with Diabetes. We talk about the perils of launching a physical product (with no manufacturing experience), the importance of aligning your personal mission and values with your business goals, and how to silence that voice in your mind that sows doubt and fear and holds you back from moving your business forward.
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35min
March 18, 2020 Justin Nassiri: Navy Veteran, Founder of Storybox & Creator of Beyond the Uniform
Justin Nassiri is a Navy Veteran, the founder of Storybox and the creator of Beyond the Uniform. We talk about the importance of surrounding yourself with people who will give you honest feedback, the pain and struggles of building and growing a business that has evolved over 10+ years, and the difficulties that come along with being the sole decision maker in a business.
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40min
March 04, 2020 Episode 5: James Bower - Army Veteran, Owner of Veteran Bargains
James Bower is an Army Veteran and the owner of Veteran Bargains, a website dedicated to finding savings for those who have served our country. We talk about sales, and how the sales process applies to every facet of your business (and personal life!). We also talk about the incremental approach to building a business and how you can find 300+ extra hours a year to work on your business.
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35min
February 19, 2020Episode 4: Phil Duong, Founder of Maco and The Wingman Foundation
Episode 4: Phil Duong, Founder of Maco and The Wingman Foundation Phil is a USMC veteran who flew Ospreys on active duty and continues to serve in the reserves. He is the founder of Maco - a gifting and care package platform for servicemembers. He is also the founder of The Wingman Foundation, which is the first and only gold-star non-profit in the Naval Aviation community
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF YOU:
Need the inspiration/push to move from idea to execution

Need to be reminded why veterans make fantastic entrepreneurs

Are fundraising or getting ready to fundraise

Have a tendency to be too hard on yourself when your business doesn’t meet the external definition of “success”
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Raising a friends & family round is really tough; they’re you’re biggest supporters but you feel a huge sense of responsibility when they invest in your idea

You have to be able to separate your professional success (or failure) from your personal identity and worth as a person; they aren’t one and the same

It takes moral courage to launch a business and say “I’m going to be the one to solve this problem”; the military gave you that - use it!

A circle of trusted advisors who are willing to give you honest feedback is critical. And so is the willingness and ability to listen to what they say, even if you disagree!

Entrepreneurship is cumulative - its comprised of countless successes and failures, which all add to your knowledge and preparedness
Visit www.veteranownedcollective.com/podcast for complete show notes, to include a list of resources mentioned during our talk.
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42min
February 05, 2020 Ep 3: Amanda Huffman, USAF Veteran, Creator Of Airman To Mom & The Women In The Military Podcast
Amanda is a Air Force veteran, military spouse and the creator of the Airman to Mom website and the Women of the Military Podcast, which had more than 10,000 downloads in its first year.

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF YOU:
- Are a content creator
- Are trying to find your niche and build an engaged audience
- Are doing something you are passionate about and are thinking of ways to monetize it
- Have struggled with transitioning out of the military

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Your story matters. Find a piece of your story that you are passionate about and that others respond to and run with it
- It’s really easy to look at what others are doing and get into “comparison” mode, which can steal your joy. Don’t let this happen! Stay focused on your own goals.
- Invest in yourself and your business
- LinkedIn is a great place to grow your audience, and its underutilized

Visit www.veteranownedcollective.com/podcast for complete show notes, to include a list of resources mentioned during our talk.
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30min
January 22, 2020 Ep 2: Thereasa Black, Navy Veteran and Founder of Amore Congelato
Thereasa is a US Navy veteran, attorney, single mom and entrepreneur. Amore Congelato is a premium gelato company that uses organic date syrup instead of refined sugar to make delicious, better-for-you treats.

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF YOU:
- Are a food entrepreneur (or an aspiring food entrepreneur!)
- Want to know how incubators can help you start and grow a business
- Want a lot of solid book and podcast recommendations!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Ask for feedback as you are vetting ideas. Thereasa did “mini shark tanks”, which helped her to pick a winning idea
- Finding good employees is one of the biggest challenges you will face. Expect this, and make it a priority to find, hire and KEEP the right people
- Network and hustle. There are so many resources available for veteran business owners, but they aren’t going to come looking for you. Do your research and outreach!
- You’re going to hear lots of “no’s”. Don’t let this discourage you - believe in your idea, and your ability to execute. Let the “no’s” fuel you!

Visit www.veteranownedcollective.com/podcast for complete show notes, to include a list of resources mentioned during our talk.
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26min
November 04, 2019 Ep 1: Zack Wiley, founder of Army Flashcards
Zack is a transitioning Army officer, and the founder of Army Flashcards. Army Flashcards makes educational products that help military leaders learn complex, tactical concepts.
This podcast is powered by the Veteran Owned Collective, a private community for veteran, active duty and military spouse business owners. Click here to join for free.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF YOU:
Sell (or want to sell) printed or physical products
Want to learn how to outsource product development
Are bootstrapping your business
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
If you feel alone as an entrepreneur, you’re not alone! The journey can be lonely.
Outsourcing will help you get your business off the ground faster, but it will take time to find the right people!
Old school phone calls and in person are extremely effective sales techniques
Never recycle or reuse UPC (universal product codes)!
Don’t count on free grant money to build your business - it doesn’t really exist
Pull the trigger and get started. You’ll learn more than if you put together a “perfect” business plan
RESOURCES:
Upwork - Great resource for outsourcing, finding freelancers to help grow your business
Smart Passive Income podcast - Pat Flynn
Shipbob - Warehousing & order fulfillment
EO Fire Podcast
4 Hour Workweek - Tim Ferriss
Westpoint Entrepreneur Summit
CONNECT WITH ZACH:
Listen: Army Flashcards Ranger School Podcast
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.armyflashcards.com
Instagram: @armyflashcards
Facebook: @armyflashcards
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28min

FAQs about Veteran Entrepreneur Talks:

How many episodes does Veteran Entrepreneur Talks have?

The podcast currently has 18 episodes available.