First Due Entrepreneurs

In today's episode, we are talking with Justin Frank. Justin is a firefighter/paramedic in Washington State. He also owns and operates Easy Street Equity. Justin has a wealth of knowledge in the fitness and health field as well! We had a great conversation on health, fitness, and his business with real estate investing. Justin brings up a great tip about joining mastermind groups and/or mentorship programs as an entreprenuer. Tune in for an awesome conversation!Connect with him on:https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-frank81/      https://easystreetequity.com/       https://www.instagram.com/jmaurice81/

In today's episode, we are talking with Joe Cummings. Joe is a 38-year veteran of law enforcement. Joe is our first Law Enforcement Officer on the show! Joe talks about his time organizing the mounted patrol unit at his department. He has always had a love for horses and riding which led him to develop this unit. Joe had the idea a little over a year ago to start a business training others on mounted patrol units and other class offerings. Tune in for a great conversation!Connect with him on:https://internationalmounted.com/                        https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-cummings-7225754a/

In today's episode we are talking about the first 15 episodes! We would like to do a recap on the previous 15 guests and my thoughts on the show. Thank you all for your support thus far! 

In today's episode, we are talking with Chris Major. Chris is a retired Battalion Chief from the South Metro Fire Department. Chris has always had multiple jobs throughout his career. After retirement, he started a business called C&C Training and Consulting. Chris is using his 30+ years in the fire service as inspiration for the decision to start his business. He talks about the breathing air program he implemented at his department that he has since turned into his business.

On today's episode we are talking with Brian Oftedal. Brian is a Captain with the Oakland Fire Department. Brian has over 25 years experiencein the fire service. His time and experience led him to start his business Priority One Consulting. Brian provides consulting, training, and mentors candidates pursing civil service careers in emergency services. We talk about Brian's career to date and how that helped him start the business he is running today.Connect with him on:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-oftedal-20492b50/                      https://www.instagram.com/brianoftedal/     

On today's episode we are talking with Mike Romo. Mike owns a PHP Agency location who offers financial services like life insurance. Mike talks about his start in the fire service and his ensuing career that led him to where he is today. He also talks about leadership styles. He loves the servant leadership style, as do I! Tune in for a great conversation about Mike's story!Connect with him on:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-romo-029b863b/                 https://www.instagram.com/mikeromo.php/

Jason owns Swamp Fox Tactics. He is also a career firefighter in California. Jason dives into his past and how thats shaped his adult life. He doesn't leave a stone unturned in his story. We touched on his martial arts background, his father as a role model, his military service, and more! Check out this episode for a great story!Connect with him on:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-sussdorf-a18530a9/      https://swampfoxtactics.com/

On today's episode we are talking with Roy Smalley. Roy owns and operates Roy Smalley Fitness where he offers personal and group training. Roy also works part time at his local fire department. Roy had a radical health transformation years ago that set him on a new path. He also shares his experience fostering and adopting children. Roy has an uplifting story to tell!Connect with Roy on:https://www.linkedin.com/in/roysmalley/                            https://roysmalley.bio.link

Evan works full time in the wind power industry, works as a part time firearms instructor, is a podcast host, and then volunteers at his local fire department. He has a lot going on and touches on how he manages all of his committments. Check out this episode for look inside his podcast - Guns, Dirt, and Oil!Connect with him on:https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-van-ommeren-64b934139/     https://open.spotify.com/show/13msWga79S9mz4QmwMYpbD

On today's episode we are talking with Tom Howard. Tom owns and operates the First Responder Peer Initiative. Tom is also a 30 year veteran firefighter on Evanston Fire Department, which is just north of Chicago. We had a good conversation about mental health in the first responder world. We touched on his past experience and got into why he chose to start this business. Tom also talked about his podcast, The Fire Inside. We asked him to give a bit of advice to seasoned or aspiring entrepreneurs, his answer was outstanding - you'll have to listen to the episode to find out what it was! Be sure to check his business and podcast out!Connect with him on:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-howard-87731149/   https://frsupport.org

On today's episode we are talking with Rick Davis. Rick authored the book The Furnance of Leadership Development and owns a leadership development company called Impactus. Rick is a US Air Force and US Marine veteran and spent a total of 37 years in the fire service, retiring as a Battalion Chief from Loveland, CO. Rick now dedicates his time to his transforming todays leaders through his book and his company. This conversation was jam packed with information on leadership and development. We also got to hear Rick's story about his military service and how he transitioned into the fire service. Pick up his book and give it a read!CONNECT WITH HIM ON:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-davis-620ba611/       https://impactusleadership.com/

On today's episode we are talking with Jared Cunningham. Jared owns Elevation Roofing & Restoration and is also a career firefighter in Plano, TX. Jared talks about how he started a different business at first and how it evolved into what it is today. He also shares how he balances his job as a firefighter, the business, and of course his family. Jared also talked about his "why" and he story behind it. The evolution in his why and business is an awesome story to hear!Connect with him on:https://www.facebook.com/jared.cunningham.31            https://www.facebook.com/elevationrrs

From time to time, we will have special guests on the show that are not first responders but have a very valuable message to share. On today's episode we are talking to Jose Bolaños. Jose is the Leadership Director at Hite Digital, Host of the Noble Warriors Podcast, and an entrepreneur himself. Jose brings a wealth of knowledge and talks about VUCA, managing complexity, and how that pertains to first responders. He also talks about his program - Unbreakable. Don't forget to check out his podcast Noble Warriors for more tips! Warrior Up!

On today's episode we are talking to Alex Scherpenisse. Alex owns Mountain Mojo Marketing and is also a Paramedic in Calagary, AB, Canada. Alex has a strong passion for helping others and carries that passion into his marketing agency. Alex talks about running his agency while also being a paramedic with rotating 12 hour shifts. He gives a few good strategies and tips on how to managing multiple jobs. Connect with Alex on:https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=alex%20scherpenisse           https://mtmojomarketing.com/

On today's episode we are talking to Don Pemberton and Jennifer Anderson. Jennifer is the founder and CEO of First Responder Coaching. Don is a coach within the organization. Mental health has been at the forefront across all areas of public safety and the military. Jennifer and Don talk about the importance of their program getting out to all first responders. They also share their stories about how they got into coaching. It was especially unique to hear a story from Jennifer's perspective as she is the spouse of a retired law enforcement officer and then get Don's perspective who is still a career firefighter/paramedic.Connect with them on: Website: https://1strespondercoaching.org/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-pemberton/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1strespondercoaching

On today's episode we are talking to Dave Cotterell. Dave is a full time firefighter/paramedic and also owns Downers Grove CPR. Dave talks about his business and even cool Apple watch trick he learned from his wife that he uses occasionally to communicate with clients.Connect with Dave on:Website: www.downersgrovecpr.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/dcotterell1

On today's episode we are talking to Kathy and Bruce Martin. They have a long history of entrepreneurship, starting and scaling multiple businesses. They talk about some of highlights throughout their journey and provide a few tips along the way. Bruce was also a firefighter for 20 years in Minnesota. Connect with them on:Website: projectcommunication.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bruceandkathy

On today's episode we are talking to Kurt DeGroot, Founder and CEO of Project Fire Buddies. Kurt talks about how Project Fire Buddies started along with some of the ups and downs during the process. Kurt is also a current career firefighter/paramedic and was a union sprinklerfitter.