Join Jeff Wright and Joe Sroka as they discuss business, entrepreneurship, and investing as they apply to military veterans and the veteran community. Email us at financialoperatingbase@gmail.com.
From Air Force officer to military spouse to entrepreneur: Trish Alegre Smith, owner and principal photographer at Photography by Trish Alegre-Smith, has seen the ups and down of running a business as a military veteran entrepreneur. Luckily, she’s taken photos along the way and can share her story about starting and growing her photography business with us today on the Financial Operating Base. Trish can be reached at website www.soyourlife.com.
Travis West, founder and managing partner of West & Dunn, joins us to discuss his journey from a career in politics to the army to practicing law and the many transitions he has successfully navigated. Travis can be reached twest@westdunn.com or travis.west@ranger.org.
Jaden Risner, US Navy veteran and founder of Family Proud, joins us to discuss how his personal experiences have fueled his passion of helping families in medical need. Jaden can be reached at jaden@familyproud.com.
Today we discuss authenticity, purpose, and good old American values with Dean Wegner, US Army Veteran and founder and CEO of Authentically American. Dean can be reached at Authenticallyamerican.us or any social media platform.
Garrett Cathcart, US Army Veteran and Executive Director at Mission Role Call, joins us to discuss transition, purpose, and the power of community. Garrett can be reached at gcathcart@missionrolecall.org
An entrepreneur's journey is one of self-discovery as well as customer discovery. Today, we speak with Chandra Adusei, Navy Veteran, military spouse, and small business consultant who helps "Mom-preneurs" scale their businesses. Chandra can be reached at https://chandraadusei.com/
Transition is not a one-time event for military veterans, there is a series of changes we experience both in and of the military. Today we're joined by US Army veteran and operations team member at Gallent Few, Bryce Mahoney. Bryce can be reached at bryce.mahoney@gallentfew.org.
In this special Giving Tuesday Military episode, we speak with Mike and Samantha Gomolka about their efforts with Project33, Giving Tuesday Military, and their experience fighting COVID-19. Mike can be reached at Information.project33@gmail.com or https://www.project33foundation.org/. Samantha can be reached on Facebook at "Samantha Gomolka, 2019 AFI National Guard Spouse of the Year" https://www.facebook.com/AFISamanthagomolka/
What happens to those heroic service dogs after retire from service. Today we speak with Jason Johnson, founder of Project K9 Hero. Follow Jason on social media: @projectk9hero Or contact him at www.Projectk9hero.org and use the contact us field.
Today we speak with Laura Renner, Air Force veteran and founder of Freedom Makers, a virtual assistant company that empowers military spouses and provides valuable outsourced service for businesses. Laura can be reached at laura@freedom-makers.com.
The COVID-19 crisis has made business anything but “usual”. Today on the Financial Operating Base we speak with Mike Nemeth, US Army veteran and founder of Emblem Athletic on maintaining culture while managing a team remotely and using creativity to respond to crisis. Mike can be reached at mike@emblemathletic.com.
George Diaz, US Army Ranger Veteran and owner of Sua Spone Design discusses how he has pivoted to dedicate his company resources to helping front line responders during the COVID-19 crisis. You can reach George at orders@suaspontedesign.com
Today we speak with Scott Maitland, US Army Veteran and proprietor of Top of the Hill Restaurant Brewery and Topo Distillery on how we's working through the COVID-19 crisis. Scott can be reached at scott@topodistillery.com or scott@thetopofthehill.com
Jeff Plank, US Army Veteran and Principal at Warren Averett's consulting division, discusses the basics and importance of business valuation as well as his experiences as an endurance athlete. Jeff Can be reached on linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-plank-mba-cva-cepa/.
Assisting veterans in their transition to civilian careers helps them to be as successful in their civilian careers as they were in the military. On this episode, Rob Kirila joins us to discuss the mission of Your Grateful Nation, a non-profit that helps special operations veterans transition into executive career paths. Rob is a veteran of the US Army Special Forces and serves as executive director of YGN. Rob can be reached at https://www.yourgratefulnation.org/contact/
Barclay Keith, Army veteran, CEO, and founder of Artis Technologies, LLC, a digital point of needs and lending platform, joins us to discuss Fintech and entrepreneurship. Barclay can be reached at bkeith@heyartis.com.
We finished season 1 with a conversation with Samantha Gomolka, the National Guard Military Spouse of the Year, and one of the founders of the Giving Tuesday Military movement. In this special bonus episode, she joins us again to discuss the campaign and share success stories of Giving Tuesday Military, On December 3, Samantha and co-founder Maria reed were featured on the Today Show! See the fantastic segment here: https://www.today.com/video/-givingtuesdaymilitary-founders-on-mission-to-support-military-families-74410565923
In the spirit of giving, we are pleased to close out Season 1 with our guest Samantha Gomolka, the National Guard Military Spouse of the Year who will be discussing both her personal journey as well as her initiatives for Giving Tuesday. Samantha can be reached on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AFISamanthagomolka/
Zack and Heather Knight share their story of entrepreneurship and sustaining a business through a combat deployment.
Providing a forum for veteran-owned businesses to share their products and services is a great opportunity to showcase the impact these businesses can have nation wide. This week we speak with Justin Clark, founder of Veterans Referring Veterans. Justin can be reached at vrvsocial@gmail.com.
With beers that have names like M4 American Blonde, Little Bird IPA and the FOBtoberfest any veteran would know they’re welcome at Forward Operating Base Brewing Company. Today on the Financial Operating Base, we’ll speak with Army veteran and founder Jarred Wharton. Jared can be reached at https://www.facebook.com/FOBbrewing/
Glenn Banton, Sr., CEO and Executive Director of OSD, discusses serving the veteran community through a non profit, including how to get involved and business lessons that come with running a non profit. Glenn can be reached at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbanton/
Your military awards and ribbons may not translate to your civilian attire, but you can show off some decoration with style with a pocket square from Pocket Square Heroes. Today we talk with Chris Costa-US Marine veteran, fashion entrepreneur, and founder of Pocket Square Heroes. Chris can be reached at info@PocketSquareHeroes.com.
Today we talk with Jesse Iwuji, US Navy LT, Nascar Driver, and entrepreneur about committing to a dream and being resourceful to accomplish it. He can be reached on social media at @jesse_iwuji.
Today on the Financial Operating Base we’ll be discussing the entrepreneurial process with Seda Goff Director of Veteran Entrepreneurship at PenFed Credit Union and Head of the Veteran Entrepreneurship Investment Program at the PenFed Foundation. Seda can be reached at Seda.Goff@penfed.org.
Scot Arey of Solar CenTex joins us to discuss his experience building an innovative solar technology company after the military. Scot can be reached at scot.arey@solarcentex.com.
Entrepreneurs always think they have bulletproof business plans. Mike Tyson once said, “Everybody’s got a plan until they get punched in the mouth”. Today’s guest on the Financial Operating Base is some who has persevered with his plan after many punches, U.S. Marine Corp veteran, champion boxer, and CEO of Ironbound Boxing Mike Steadman. Mike can be reached at mike@weareironbound.com.
Attendees of the Military Influencer Conference in Washington DC stop by to tell us about their businesses, why they started them, and how they can be reached.
The US military veteran community is one of the most powerful and skilled networks in the US, we just need to learn how to capitalize on it. Today on the Financial Operating Base we’ll chat with Curtez Riggs, us army veteran and founder and organizer of the Military Influencer Conference. Curtez can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtezriggs/.
Successful entrepreneurs and business owners are always seeking improvement, especially ways to increase the revenue of their business. Steven Kuhn, US Army Veteran and founder of Immediate Impact Revenue joins us to discuss finding purpose in the midst of improving revenue generation. Steven can be reached at https://www.facebook.com/StevenKuhnOfficial/
Marketing has been revolutionized in recent years with the onset of the digital age. Executing a digital and social media marketing strategy can be a huge strategic advantage for military entrepreneurs. Today on the Financial Operating Base we’ll chat with Trish Leto, Navy veteran, social media influencer, and marketing expert. Trish can be reached at https://www.facebook.com/trish.leto or https://trishleto.com/.
Designing, manufacturing, marketing and selling a new product can be a daunting endeavor. Today on the Financial Operating Base we’ll be discussing the journey of the Lagio Lap Desk with Troy Goldhammer, US Army Veteran and founder of Aeon Gold. Be sure to listen through the interview to the extra conversation that highlights the importance and value of relationships. Troy can be reached at tgoldhammer@goldhammer.com.
Managing the growth of your business and hiring new employees can bring human resources complications. Today on the Financial Operating Base we’ll be discussing all things Human Resources with Jason Cavness, U.S. Army veteran and CEO of cavnessHR, a subject matter expert on human resources for small to medium business. Jason can be reached at jasoncavness@cavnesshr.com.
In this special episode, we speak with Aaron Hale, veteran of both the US Navy and US Army, who has overcome the adversery of severe combat injury to thrive personally and in his business.
Flossie Hall, Milspouse entrepreneur and business coach, joins us to discuss her entrepreneurial journey and how she's helping veteran and veteran spouse entrepreneurs as a business coach with the Rosie Network. You can reach Flossie at fhall@therosienetwork.org.
US Army Veteran and owner of Vet2BizLife Dan Dwyer joins us to discuss different options to bootstrap and fund your business. You can reach Dan at dan@vet2bizlife.com.
US Army Veteran Andy Nelson of Fortis, LLP joins us to discuss various considerations regarding intellectual property, including risks, protections and other considerations. You can reach Andy at ANelson@fortislaw.com.
Our guest this week is John Coogan, Executive Director of the Folded Flag Foundation. He discusses the mission of the Foundation, along with some of the operational and leadership considerations and practices he applies as he leads the organization.
Brandyn Cox joins us to discuss various tax considerations for veteran business owners, such as corporate structure, best practices, and leadership concepts for growing teams. You can get in touch with Brandyn at brandynmcox@bmcaccountingllc.com.
Welcome to the Financial Operating Base (FOB) Podcast. In this introductory episode, Jeff and Joe discuss their backgrounds, what the FOB is, and what they're trying to do to help the veteran entrepreneur community. You can get in touch with Joe at jsroka@novapointcapital.com and you can reach Jeff at jwright@novapointcapital.com. Join the FOB Facebook community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2193298840950781/ "If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself." --Henry Ford
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