The Transition

What does it take to build a billion-dollar company? If you're like most people, you probably assume it requires raising venture capital, building some sort of SAAS product, and scaling it to millions of users. The last thing you'd probably think of us is maxing out your credit cards to start a  manufacturing company that produces supplements stocking the shelves of your favorite PX or GNC store. Well,l that's exactly what Marine Corps Veteran Marc Krauthhamer and his Co-Founder of AMP Neutraceuticals are doing. On the show, Marc takes his armor off and shares how he racked up hundreds of thousands of dollars in credit card debt, to bootstrap his multi-million dollar manufacturing company, producing high-quality and high-volume dietary supplements for some of the most well-known brands in the industry, with the ultimate goal of being billion dollar company one day.Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn More about Bunker Labs by visiting: www.BunkerLabs.orgLearn more about AMP Neutraceuticals here: http://www.ampnutra.com/

With another year in the books and another one head, have you thought long and hard about what you're hoping to accomplish in the next twelve months? Either way, today's episode is for you. Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn More about Bunker Labs by visiting: www.BunkerLabs.org

In this episode of the Transition, I catch up with Navy Veteran Lee Mills, Founder & CEO of Pixly,  a visual documentation & collaboration platform for Construction, Insurance, Facilities and Field Service Professionals. In 2022, Lee won the Veteran Funds 100k Pitch Competition at the Military Influencer Conference. Since then, Lee and I frequently chat back and forth online, talking about the struggles of entrepreneurship and what's keeping us up at night. Between raising funding, managing his development team, and navigating long sales cycles, Lee shares brings an honest point of view, on what it takes to launch and grow a successful startup on today's show. Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgTo learn more about Pixly visit: https://www.pixly.ai/

In this episode of the Transition, I sit down with Patrick Mate, Army Veteran and Founder of Patriot Jean Company, An Arizona-based American-made apparel company that produces 100% grown, sewn, and built Jeans. Manufacturing is a hard business, but that's not stopping him. Although he's still in the startup phase, Patricks invested over six-figures to bring his American-made brand to life, which officially launches in a few weeks with their two products, the Defender and the Innovator. I invited Patrick on the show to share his story and why he thinks American-made jeans represent a golden opportunity. Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgTo learn more about Jeff, visit:  https://www.thayergateproject.com/

In this episode of the Transition, I share a simple framework to set you and your team up for success heading into the new year. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg

Today on the Transition, I challenge conventional wisdom by challenging you to build a better mouse trap (i.e. build upon an existing product or service already in the marketplace) rather than trying to come up with market a new idea out the gate, especially if you're a first-time founder or find yourself in a bit of a revenue lull. Apply for the next cohort of Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship here: https://bunkerlabs.org/breaking-barriers/Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgCheckout “The Entrepreneur's Playbook: More Than 100 Proven Strategies, Tips, and Techniques to Build a Radically Successful Business by Leonard C. Green here: https://tinyurl.com/5cpznb3h

One topic that consistently comes up in my conversations with aspiring entrepreneurs is pursuing entrepreneurship through acquisition, a fancy way of saying buying a business as opposed to building one from scratch. There's an old saying that, “There are multiple ways to skin a cat,” and as great as it is to start a business, buying one can be just as impactful. To discuss the process, I invited on the Transition, Jeff Evenson, an Army Veteran, Business Coach, and Acquisition Entrepreneur, with experience purchasing multiple businesses, as well as working with others to do the same. Over the years, Jeff's acquired hair salons, a pillow company, and a manufacturing business, just to name a few. On the show, we discuss why buying a business may or may not be a right fit for you, how to spot a good deal, and what pitfalls you should avoid along the way.Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgTo learn more about Jeff, visit:  https://www.thayergateproject.com/

In this episode of the Transition, I discuss how to survive and thrive during tough times using Jim Collin's Framework of the Twenty Mile March.Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg

In this episode of the Transition, I'm joined by Marine Corps Veteran and Chicago Bunker Labs Ambassador, Patryk Stanczak, Founder & CEO of GeekHeros, a digital marketing agency providing a plethora of services from website and logo design, to SEO support and beyond. I met Patryk a few years ago online and we finally caught up in-person at the Bunker Labs Ambassador Fly-In down in San Antonio, TX. Specifically, I asked Pat to come on the show and talk about his transition from an Enlisted Marine to Entrepreneur and leader within the Bunker Labs Community. Since discovering the Bunker, I feel like Pat has taken the torch and run it, not only supporting the community through free website audiences, but also just being a trusted resource on all things digital marketing. On the show we talk through his Transition, what keeps him sticking around, and what he's looking forward to next.Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn more about Geek Heros here: www.Geekheros.com

In the following episode of the Transition, I'm joined by Army Veteran, Published Author, and Serial Entrepreneur, Mike Erwin, Founder & Executive Director of Team Red, White, and Blue. Founded in 2010, Team RWB is a nonprofit organization with chapters all across the country, that delivers consistent, local opportunities for veterans and the community to connect through physical and social activity. Team RWB was one of the first veteran nonprofits I came across back in 2017, just after getting connected with Bunker Labs. Mike is also the co-author of multiple books, including Lead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude and Leadership is a Relationship: How to Put People First in the Digital World. On the show, Mike and I discuss the origins of Team RWB, including the importance of physical fitness, leading yourself first, and why life is a team sport. Make sure you have some pen and paper handy for this episode, in order to write done the multiple gems Mike drops throughout the show. Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn more about Team Red, White, and Blue here: https://teamrwb.org/Purchase Mike's books here: https://rb.gy/ol0bc

Today on the Transition, I talk about the importance of getting back to “why.” When you get caught up in the day to day of running your business, and all the  blocking and tackling that comes with chasing revenue, managing your team, and dealing with your personal life, it can start to wear on you. It's all fun and dandy the first few months,  when you're fueled off dopamine, or what I like to call, the honeymoon phase of entrepreneurship. After a while, the reality of the grind sets in ? You go through a break up or a divorce, you start losing friends and family? Now what? You lose motivation and you find it hard to show up. If that sounds familiar, today's show is for you.  Apply for the next cohort of Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship here: https://bunkerlabs.org/breaking-barriers/Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg

Today on the Transition, I discuss Blue Ocean Strategy, a method of thinking that allows you to identify uncontested market opportunities. Apply for the next cohort of Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship here: https://bunkerlabs.org/breaking-barriers/Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg

On today's episode, we talk about mental health. Mike reflects on recent events in his life, how they impacted him, and what the reality of managing mental health looks like for many of us.Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg

For first-time founders, it's easy to fall in love with your idea and build a company that places you as the hero of the story. Jim Collins, renowned business author and famous for his books, Good To Great and Built To Last, believes that in order to build an enduring company, you have to be willing to do the hard work of building a company that doesn't solely rely on you. Additionally, you can't just fall in love with your idea, you need to fall in love with the process of coming up with multiple ones. Collins refers to this concept as “Clock Building,” which I discuss on today's show. Apply for the next cohort of Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship here: https://bunkerlabs.org/breaking-barriers/Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg

Do you ever feel there's never enough time in the day to get things done? I know I do,  but one thing that's been helpful for me, is carving time to build an ideal workweek. So for this episode of the Transition, I walk through my ideal work week template and how I structure my time, and share guidance on how you can do the same in your own business. Apply for the next cohort of Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship here: https://bunkerlabs.org/breaking-barriers/Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgDownload a copy of the “Ideal Work Week Template here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L0AlCaC0uYMpcqpnfk02bKNcN-3WIVv4wShDemJx9V4/copy?usp=gmail_thread

On this episode of the Transition, I'm joined by Army Veteran, Leadership Coach, and Serial Entrepreneur, Sean Patton, Founder of Stronger Leader Stronger Profits, which helps companies increase their profitability by developing stronger leaders. I met Sean last year when the Bunker Labs Crew flew into Nashville, TN for a team fly-in. After hearing him speak about his journey from the Army, his passion for Brazilian Ju Jitsu, and the challenge of opening up his own gym, I had to get him on the show. After graduating from West Point, Sean spent ten years as an army officer, half of which was in special forces. On the show, Sean discusses how he's managed to leverage his leadership experience in the military and apply it in the business world through leadership/executive coaching, as well as his experience founding and running multiple jujitsu gyms in the Nashville area. Apply for the next cohort of Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship here: https://bunkerlabs.org/breaking-barriers/Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgTo learn more about Stronger Leader Stronger Profits click here: https://strongerleadersstrongerprofits.com/

I tell people that it takes at least three years or so to fully transition, but that's not based on any peer-reviewed data only my personal experience after spending 10 years in the military, five including my time at the Naval Academy Prep School and Annapolis, followed by five in the Marine Corp, for ten years total. Today's guest, Jessica Van De Vop Jesus, left the Marine Corps as Lieutenant Colonel, in order to follow her passion for Food and Travel. Her first few years post-transition were rough, which she shares intimate details about on the show, for the first time. Through her struggles, Jessica managed to find meaning and purpose in the next stage of her journey, as an Author and Solopreneur, On today's show, Jessica shares her story and I hope that those of you in the throes of your own transition, whether you're just getting off of active duty, changing jobs, or making the leap to start a venture, I'm confident you'll find inspiration in Jessica's journey. Apply for the next cohort of Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship here: https://bunkerlabs.org/breaking-barriers/Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgTo learn more about The Dining Traveler, click here: https://diningtraveler.com/

In the following episode of the Transition, I break down how to achieve marketing momentum in your business that attracts high-quality leads, by walking you through the following frameworks:The 1-Page Marketing Plan and the Weekly Marketing Cadence.I use my company, IRONBOUND Media, as a case study on how to effectively implement themOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgDownload a Copy of the 1-Page Marketing Plan Framework here: https://www.thestrength.co/

When I'm not hitting the heavy bag at the IRONBOUND Boxing Academy in Newark, you can find me under a barbell at my CrossFit gym, doing squats, bench presses, and other strength training exercises, something I'm picked up playing football in high school and carried with me into the Marines. While doing research on how to incorporate running into barbell training, I came across today's guest, Grant Broggi, Founder of The Strength Co, which includes a Brick-and-Mortar Gym, Online Coaching, and a manufacturing arm producing American made plates and other barbell equipment. As an active duty Marine Artillery Officer, Grant jumpstarted his entrepreneurial journey moonlighting as a coach on the weekends, before opening up a gym, and eventually building his strength empire. Shortly after transitioning off of Active duty and into his business full-time, like most, Grant got royally punched in the face due to COVID, eventually forcing him to shut down one of two gyms, but presented the opportunity to start his own manufacturing company. On the show, Grant opens up about how he managed to pull it off, the pains of running a brick-and-mortar gym, and why he believes there's a future in American-made Iron. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn more about Grant and The Strength Co here: https://www.thestrength.co/

Today on the Transition, I revisit quarterly planning, and how to set yourself for success over the next 90 days, using objectives and key results. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg

This week on the Transition, I'm bringing to you another interview conducted in-person at the CEO Circle Fly-In Powered by JP Morgan & Chase. Joining me this time is Ben Lang, Founder & CEO of Native Chats, a multilingual messaging platform specializing in real-time text translation that enables people to communicate across 100+ languages. Ben's a former Army Ranger with a background in technology and design, holding global leadership roles in military special operations, national intelligence, and innovation-focused organizations, from startups to large enterprises. On the show, been gets personal, sharing the struggles of his few ventures, the difficulty of being a single father, and the sacrifices that come with being an entrepreneur, at the expense of maintaining relationships. The road isn't all sign shine and rainbows, but Ben and his team firmly believe that they can unlock access to opportunity by eliminating language barriers, and that's a mission worth fighting for. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn more about Native Chats here:  https://native.tech/Apply for the next cohort of CEO Circle here: https://bunkerlabs.org/ceo-circle/

In the military we have a saying that the enemy has a choice. Doesn't matter how great you think your product or service is or you think it's for, until you go to market, it's an educated guess at best. From there, it's your responsibility to identify whether you're going to stick to the plan, such as selling craft beer via a subscription service model to willing consumers, or shifting to a business to business model selling beer, snacks, and other CPG items to corporate offices. If that sounds too far off, it's not, because that is exactly what happened to today's guest Claude Burns, Founder and CEO of Office Libations, a full-service beverage and snack company that provides beverages and snacks to companies of all sizes. I had a chance to sit down with Claude in person this week, at the Bunkers Lab CEO Circle Fly-in powered by JP Morgan Chase, to hear the origin story of office libations, what it was like to lead the company through a global pandemic when offices no longer needed his services, and what innovation looks like for a small business, when the odds are stacked against you. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn more about office libations here: https://www.officelibations.com

In this episode of the Transition, I share my morning routine and why it's important for you to have one, regardless of how challenging your circumstances may seem. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg

I'm breaking from script today in order to share a time-sensitive interview with Steve Harrison, Lead Associate of Corporate Development at USAA, where we discuss the upcoming USAA Pitch Competition, an opportunity for military-connected entrepreneurs to receive up to 50k in non-dilutive capital and the potential for future investment from USAA.  The deadline to apply is June 30, which is only a few weeks away and I need your help in getting the word out!Apply here: https://bunkerlabs.org/usaa-pitch/Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg

In the following episode of the Transition, I'm joined by Marine Corps Veteran and former Veterans in Residence Alumni Captain, Omar Fuentes, CEO and Co-Founder of accel-EQ, Digital Healthcare Platform that  automates medical documentation using machine learning and artificial intelligence, in order to increase efficiency and eliminate wasted time, allowing providers to spend more time on their patients. After transitioning out of the Marines, Omar spent a brief stint working in finance, before finding his pathway in healthcare and accumulating almost fourteen years in the industry, exposing him to back office inefficiencies. During this time, Omar lost his father, death with the death of a close friend to suicide, and his wife was diagnosed with stage three Hodgkin's Lymphoma, exposing him even more healthcare inefficiency. After getting fed up in 2020, Omar took the entrepreneur leap to launch accel-eq. On the show, Omar shares his journey from idea to inception, launching a tech platform despite not having a technical background, leveraging the Bunker Labs Network and participating in programs like the PenFed Masters, and why it's important for him to show up his authentic self. For those of you who are thinking about launching a startup and have no idea where to begin, pay attention to Omar's story. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn more about America's Business Mission at www.BunkerLabs.org

I recently met up with two female veteran entrepreneurs to discuss their sales and marketing efforts. One thing I immediately pressed them on was the importance of activating their existing network and key relationships. During the process, I realized that what was an obvious insight to me, wasn't so obvious to them, which is why for today's show, I decided to decided to discuss how to activate your network, so that it's working for you and vice versa. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn more about America's Business Mission at www.BunkerLabs.org

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and no one is better positioned to Ignite it than the veteran entrepreneurial community, which is why for Today's show I sit down with fellow Marine and Bunker Labs CEO, Blake Hogan to discuss America's Business Mission,  a call to action for Ameican Business Owners, veteran or otherwise, to invest in the growing veteran entrepreneurial ecosystem, through capital, business support, ecosystem development. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn more about America's Business Mission at www.BunkerLabs.org

This week on the Transition, I sat down with Army Veteran Haotian Bai, President and Founder of Patriot Conceptions, an LA based surrogacy agency dedicated to providing exceptional service to surrogates and intended families. I met Bai through NYU's Veterans Future Labs, where I gave a talk on branding. We connected afterwards and since then, we've attended multiple events together including the VFL Summit in NYC and the MilVet Startup Conference. Bai has an interesting background as a Chinese Immigrant, that enlisted in the Army after earning multiple degrees. After transitioning off active duty, Bai stumbled upon the Third-Party Reproduction industry, commonly referred to as surrogacy, and was able to build a successful business serving clients all over the world. On the show, he shares more insight into his transition from the military, how he started Patriotic Conceptions, and his experience in the veteran entrepreneurial ecosystem thus far. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearning more about Patriot Conceptions here: https://www.patriotconceptions.com/

This week on the Transition, I'm joined by Army Veteran and Veterans In Residence Alumni, Simon Karmarkar, Founder & CEO of Refund Wiz, a smartphone mobile e-filing tax return app. His company also offers MasRefund, an app designed specifically for the Spanish-speaking community. As a trained and certified Tax Specialist, Simon noticed a glaring gap in the number of tax specialists who could serve the non-English-speaking Latino community, many of whom wanted to pay taxes, but were nervous about the second and third-order effects of reporting their income. After doing some research, he realized that there are fewer than 10,000 trained and regulated Spanish-speaking tax preparers supporting 63 million Hispanic and Latino people in the United States. To solve this issue, Simon launched Refund Wiz and branded it under MasRefund to reach the Latino community. On the Transition, he opens up about his struggles Transitioning out of the Military in the late 90s, including a short stent as a homeless veteran, catching the entrepreneurial a few years ago, and how he's managed to take RefundWiz to market, after participating in countless incubator and accelerator programs similar to me. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgPurchase Chris's book here: https://amzn.to/3nx2NVWLearning more about RefundWiz here: https://refundwiz.com/

I'm stoked for the following episode of the Transition where I chat with U.S Veteran and Coffee Entrepreneur, Mike Mckim, Founder of Cuvee Coffee, a nationally recognized Austin-based, coffee brand known for roasting exceptional, ethically sourced, sustainable coffee. Cuvee is made up of a roastery and distribution arm, including online and wholesale, as well as a Vibrant, down-to-earth cafe & retail space serving up specialty coffees, teas & more, plus snacks. I love coffee and I enjoy spending my free time at Coffee shops, reading, writing, and drawing, and when I came across Cuvee on Linkedin, I knew I had to get Mike on the show. Mike's entrepreneurial journey has lasted over 25 years, so he's seen the good, the bad, and the ugly, keeping the dream alive. On the show, we talk about the origins of Cuvee and what led to his love of coffee, the ups and downs of his journey over the last 25 years, and some of the misconceptions people have about being an entrepreneur. Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and experience so make you've got some pen and paper out to take notes. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgWatch Marc Andressen's interview with business insider here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfOsP3PmI1ULearn more about Cuvee Coffee here: https://cuveecoffee.com/

Today on the Transition, I'm joined by fellow Marine and Bunker Labs Ambassador Brand Childers, Founder of Freelance Corporal, an App whose aim is to help military service improve their financial literacy, combing a budget calculator with their EAS countdown, projecting how much savings a service member could get out of the military with. After serving in the Marines, Brand began pursuing his education in Psychology, with an emphasis on the veteran community. After recognizing that financial distress was a leading indicator for homeless and mental health issues, Brand decided to focus his attention on financial literacy. Despite not having a strong technical background, Brandon began engaging the veteran entrepreneurial ecosystem, joining organizations like Bunker Labs, and attending the MilVet Startup Conference, to figure out the best way to bring his app to market. On the show not only do we discuss Brandon's startup Journey, including launching his MVP, we discuss the importance of creating a more inclusive ecosystem to attract more enlisted service men and women, who often feel left out. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgPurchase Chris's book here: https://amzn.to/3nx2NVWLearning more about Freelance Corporal here: https://www.freelancecorporal.com/

In this episode of the Transition, I share some inside scoop on how I'm approaching Lead Generation, Flawless Acceleration,utilizing the Hawke Method, and how you can apply it on your own venture as well. I also use today's episode as an opportunity to cover branding essentials for going to market.Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgWatch Marc Andressen's interview with business insider here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfOsP3PmI1U

In this episode of the Transition, I talked about the difference between raising capital and going to market with a tech product vs a traditional small business. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgWatch Marc Andressen's interview with business insider here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfOsP3PmI1U

In the following episode of the Transition, I'm joined by Army Veteran and CEO Circle Alumni, Chris Anthony, Founder & CEO of Teamworx Security, software company building a better way to manage cyber incident response in defense, cyber, critical infrastructure, and emergency management. Teamworx is the world's largest secure online forum that connects security teams across private and public sectors.  Chris and I talk about the origins of Teamworx Security, what he's learned going through his first capital raise, and how he manages to consistently perform while operating at the edge of his own competency.Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgPurchase Chris's book here: https://amzn.to/3nx2NVWLearning more about Teamworx Security here: https://www.teamworxsecurity.com/

I'm pumped for the following episode of the Transition, as I finally get to sit down with fellow Marine and Bunker Labs New Orleans Ambassador, Taylor White, CEO and Co-Founder of Countable, which provides Financial Operations and Planning for Startups & Small businesses, empowering entrepreneurs with the financial team they need for growing businesses in the digital age. On the show, he opens up about the success and challenges of his business as they reach the next stage of growth, his journey from growing up in Trailor in New Orleans to becoming a Marine, and what motivates him as an entrepreneur and leader in the Bunker. Taylor, as well as many of you, represent the best and brightest of our nation's entrepreneurs, and I'm just excited to share his story on the show. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn more about Countable here: https://www.countabl.io/Apply for Veterans in Residence here: https://www.countabl.io/

In this episode of the Transition, I'm joined by Army Veteran and Bunker Labs OG, A- Jay Orr, Founder and CEO of Simple Plan IT, which helps business leaders manage the digital risks that threaten the existence of their business, taking the confusion out of IT & proving to business leaders that investing in new technology can be practical, effective, & stress-free. A-Jay is also the author of “The Art of War in Business Technology: Simple Tactics For Conquering IT & Cybersecurity Challenges On The Small Business Battlefield.” On the show, AJ opens up about his struggle to find balance as a father of five, cancer survivor, and award-winning entrepreneur. We also talk about the loss of identity and community he felt, once he left the military, and how he found both of them again as a veteran entrepreneur. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn more about Simpleplan IT here: https://simpleplanit.com/

In the following episode of the Transition, I'm joined by my good friend and Army Veteran, Mike Nemeth, Founder of Emblem Athletic, an apparel company that provides custom athletic apparel to athletes, teams, and organizations. I've had a chance to witness Mike scale his company from a handful of employees to almost 30+ and one of inc 500's fastest-growing companies. Every day until he sold the company earlier this year, it was a struggle, which Mike opens up about on today's show. He gets real about his journey scaling Emblem, including the mental and physical toll it took on him, how he managed to introduce a new line of business during the pandemic, and why he let go of his initial dreams and aspirations for the company before he decided to sell it. This is jammed packed episode full of nuggets from one founder to another, so make sure you tuned in. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn more about Emblem Athletic here: https://www.emblemathletic.com/

Entrepreneurship is hard, it requires guts, sacrifice, and the willingness to endure, which is one of many reasons why Today's guest, Brandon Shelton, is bullish about investing in veteran-led startups. Brandon is an Army Veteran, as well as the Founder and Managing Partner of Tasks Force Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in service-driven, high-performing and commercially tested military and national security startups, led by Veterans who have a passion for solving real-world issues by using technology to build ideas that are net new to our society. Brandon is a bit of a contrarian when it comes to venture investing. He has strong views about what's wrong with the industry, which we'll get into on the show, and believes too much emphasis is placed on funds and their leadership, and not the founders. If you're thinking about raising capital or are already in the process of doing so, make sure you get out some pen and paper for today's show. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn more about Tasks Force Capital here: https://tfxcap.com

In the following episode of the Transition, I'm joined by Air Force Veteran turned Venture Capitalist, Derren Burrell, Founder and President of Veterans Venture Capital, a veteran-owned growth-equity investment fund & firm focused on veteran businesses. On the show, Derren and I discuss why he believes veterans make great entrepreneurs, the investment thesis of his firm, and the importance of community and collaboration in the venture space. Whether you're looking to raise funding for your startup or trying to gain a better understanding of the venture landscape, this episode you don't want to miss. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn more about Veterans Venture Capital here: https://www.veteranventures.us/

Today, I'm joined by Robert Kissner and Rianna Khan, from the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at IONA University, which is now providing free one-on-one business coaching and technical assistance to veteran and military spouse owned small businesses. On the show,  Rob and Rianna discuss their offerings and how the community can take advantage of them.Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgTo receive free business coaching from The Hynes institute, Register here: https://bit.ly/3IpWhbnApply for The Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship Workshop Series here: https://bunkerlabs.org/breaking-barriers/

I respond to a listener's question requesting advice as he prepares for his transition in 2024. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgApply for The Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship Workshop Series here: https://bunkerlabs.org/breaking-barriers/

In this episode of the Transition, I'm joined by Army Veteran and Executive Coach Charlie Gilkey, Founder of Productive Flourishing, which helps creators, business owners, and leaders thrive, through award-winning tools and services. Additionally, Charlies is also the author of “The Small Business Lifecycle: A Guide for Taking the Right Steps at the Right Time” and “Start Finishing: How to Go from Idea to Done.” On the show, Charlie opens up about the reality of building a sustainable business for the long haul, including navigating the ebbs and flows, avoiding shiny object syndrome, and making sure you take care of yourself along the way. This is a powerful conversation to remind you what lies ahead, especially for those of you early in your journey.Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgApply for The Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship Workshop Series here: https://bunkerlabs.org/breaking-barriers/