Service Academy Business Mastermind

“Having served in the military, having that leadership experience, having gone to a service academy, I think that we can optimize things really well. We're relatively decent with technology. And so rather than having to invent a business, our skill sets work pretty well with – let's buy a Mom and Pop business and bring it into this century. Modernize things and make it work more efficiently.”  –Carl Dieckmann Carl Dieckmann is a commercial real estate broker at Emily Dieckmann Real Estate Team in Lago Vista, Texas, a firm he co-owns and runs with his wife Emily, which is one of the top producing brokerages in the Austin area. As a real estate investor, Carl has over a decade of experience flipping properties, managing buy-and-hold properties, and purchasing tax foreclosures. A serial entrepreneur, in 2020 Carl purchased Snowblaze Ski Shop in Angel Fire, New Mexico. In doing so, he acquired one of the most prime commercial property locations in Angel Fire along with additional land that’s earmarked for future

“One of the things that the military really does well to prepare entrepreneurs is creating the ability to be comfortable in an environment with a lot of unknowns, that's highly dynamic, and rolling with the punches with whatever's thrown at you." -Zach Scheel, U.S. Navy Veteran Zach Scheel is the CEO and Co-founder of Rhumbix, a mobile technology company that empowers construction workers to capture accurate, real-time data in the field while  providing project managers with data-driven insights to dramatically improve site safety and labor productivity. Zach has led Rhumbix from its inception in 2014 to the company being recognized as the Forbes #8 Veteran Startup in the U.S. He holds a BSE in mechanical engineering and mathematics from Duke University and an MS/MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. From 2006-2011, Zach served as a Civil Engineer Corps Officer in the U.S. Navy while stationed in the Republic of Djibouti and as an Assistant Public Works Officer and Assistant Resident Officer in the G

“Do what you have to do in this industry to be successful, and what that usually entails is being uncomfortable and putting yourself out there… Every single time you put yourself out there, you're kind of shedding off a little bit of this ego." -Shawn Cleary Shawn Cleary is a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty in the Charleston, South Carolina area. Prior to his career in real estate, he served in the U.S. Navy for over 11 years, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. During his naval career, Shawn served as a Submarine Officer and held various other positions including Shift Engineer at the Naval Prototype Training Unit and Naval Science Instructor at The Citadel. Shawn's educational background includes a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated in 2016. His diverse experience in naval operations and engineering provides a unique foundation for his current work in real estate. In this episode, we discuss: Shawn's transition from Naval Submarine Officer to bei

“I think people can't give their own personal agency away. I talk to a lot of veterans that kind of throw up their hands, ‘Oh, the VA isn't giving me the help that I need.’ Well, hey, man, take responsibility for your own life. You’ve got to figure this sh-t out. And we're here to help you.” –Scottie Schneider Scottie Schneider is a military veteran, West Point graduate, and the founder of Waking Warrior, a community and support system for military veterans who are experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse issues, and thoughts of suicide. Based in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia, Scottie is adept at using traditional plant medicine, including hallucinogens, as part of the psychological healing process. A West Point graduate with a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering and Russian language, Scottie served as an Army officer from 2005 to 2012, where he was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. Following his military service, Scottie embarked on a successful career in sales for a number of technol

“I talked to a lot of people, and it was really surprising to me – the low levels of service that are prevalent in this industry. And a lot of the way we will win is by simply doing what we say we're going to do… We think we can bring more value, especially for someone who's in the e-commerce space and looking to be multichannel…” –Eric Lobdell Eric Lobdell is the founder of Thrive 3PL, Lonestar Trade, and Lobdell Capital, companies that offer warehousing, fulfillment, and logistics solutions to help launch and scale e-commerce businesses. Eric turned a career in commercial real estate and a side hustle selling supplements on Amazon into a collection of companies that help their clients focus on growing their businesses and achieving success in the competitive e-commerce market. In this episode, we discuss: The founding of Thrive 3PL, a third-party logistics company offering fulfillment services for e-commerce and other businesses. Eric's journey from running an Amazon reselling business to starting a commer

“Let us show you how competitive we can be, how well we service, how well we support your draw and your rehab and construction efforts and let that speak for itself. Words are one thing, but action... I put a lot more stock in that." -Jason Hutton Jason Hutton is the Managing Director of Academy Fund, a gateway for military veteran real estate investors to obtain flexible and competitively-priced capital to support their projects. In turn, these loans generate attractive risk-adjusted returns and ongoing passive income for Academy Fund investors. With nearly 25 years of experience as a senior executive, Jason has led organizations across various industries, managed multi-million dollar P&Ls, and has been involved in over $28 billion in loans. His expertise spans leadership, negotiations, strategic planning, and relationship management. Jason is a West Point graduate (‘95) and he holds an MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business. He is committed to mentoring veterans and aspiring Academy graduates and helpi

“We chose the name “Renting Freedom” because it's kind of like a play on words. But the whole goal is financial freedom. I'm sure that's a lot of people's goals. A way that you can do that is by having income-producing assets that you're renting out, and then that gives you freedom.” –Justin Artis Justin Artis is a rising real estate investor and a naval submarine officer in the United States Navy. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2018 with a degree in mechanical engineering, after attending the Naval Academy Preparatory School from 2013 to 2014. Following his graduation, Justin completed Nuclear Power School at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) in January of 2020, where he gained expertise in nuclear engineering and submarine operations. Alongside his naval career, Justin's investment strategy includes buying and renovating properties, land development, and creative problem-solving to maximize returns. Justin co-invests with his mother, a licensed realtor, combining her people skill

“Most people will tell you, even myself at one time, ‘I don't like sales.’ But any business that you do is going to be rooted in sales. Understanding that process is so important… talking about investments or talking about how someone's looking to invest their money, and it’s still sales at the end of the day.” –Justin Loutfy, USAFA '16 Justin Loutfy is an investor, author, speaker, and self-proclaimed “Girl Dad” to his two young daughters. He is the managing partner of Onyx Peak Capital, a real estate and investing firm. In addition to his real estate ventures, Justin runs the DadVesters podcast and a YouTube channel where he shares his knowledge and experiences in real estate and investing. He aims to educate and inspire others to achieve financial freedom through investing. Before founding Onyx Peak Capital, Justin was the chief operating officer for Cherokee Wood Products. He was also an operations manager for Amazon and a fund analyst at Lion Creek Capital, LLC. In addition, Justin served as a special wa

"For me, it's been rewarding to be helping the businesses that we help, because these are businesses that instead of spending money on customer support, they're spending that on marketing, they're spending that on developing a new product, which from a macro economic perspective is much better for our economy.” -Kris Sandor Kris Sandor is the Co-Founder and CEO of Readyly, a company that automates manual customer support workflows through Generative AI technology. Kris's career includes roles as a Navy nuclear submarine officer, consultant at McKinsey, business development lead at Palantir, and CEO of Citi Bike, which he successfully exited to Lyft in 2018. Passionate about helping entrepreneurs scale and improving conditions for front-line workers, Kris also has expertise in bioterrorism defense. He holds an MBA from Stanford, an MA in International Security Studies from Georgetown, and a BS in Political Science from the Naval Academy. Kris speaks fluent Hungarian and English and enjoys reading, traveling, a

“The best advantage of being in this industry for 17 years is the relationships. You can make a very good living and make money in health care, which is great. However, I think most people who go into this field genuinely care about improving patient care.” -Greg Parranto Greg Parranto is the Chief Executive Officer of Endeavor Orthopedics with over 16 years of experience in orthopedic trauma and medical device sales, business development, and management. He has held leadership roles at Depuy Synthes/Johnson & Johnson, including Midwest Area Vice President for Trauma and Extremities, National Director of Specialty Sales, and Global Segment Manager. Greg's expertise spans global perspectives on orthopedics, diverse medical device markets, and innovation in product development. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management with a Healthcare Leadership Certificate, a Master of Public Administration from Webster University, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management from the US Military Acade

“Almost four years later, two funds, multiple loan participation opportunities…we’ve lent north of $60 million and have never missed a monthly distribution to investors. From idea to $60 million in under four years. I’m proud of all the support we’ve provided to our fellow vets who are entrepreneurs out there swinging for it.” -Bill Militello, USNA ‘92 On today’s podcast, Bill and Scott express their gratitude to the investors who have supported the Academy Fund and its growth over the past four years and discuss a new project emerging within the community In 2023, a member of 10X Vets approached them with a compelling idea. Having recently sold his business, he sought a network of trustworthy and capable investors within the group to conduct due diligence and invest together in high-quality opportunities. Inspired by his vision, they formed a steering committee to gather feedback and shape this initiative. By June 2024, the Investor Syndicate was born. Their vision for the 10X Vets Investor Syndicate is to f

Hey team! Before we dive in, I've got some exciting announcements: 1) Join us on August 8th NJ for an exclusive Advanced Real Estate Investing Workshop & Networking Event at the prestigious Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, NJ.  This premier event is crafted to elevate your real estate investing skills with institutional-level analysis. Whether you're a private investor, a commercial real estate operator, or work in the commercial real estate industry, this is your chance to expand your network and learn from the best. Space is limited, so don’t miss out!  Register here: https://www.10xvets.com/advanced-real-estate-workshop 2) On October 1st we're heading to Charleston, SC for an incredible retreat. We'll kick off with a business mastermind session at the Harbour Club in downtown Charleston. Later, we'll set sail on a harbor cruise and enjoy a fantastic dinner together. On October 2nd, get ready for an exciting inshore fishing tournament with a fleet of fishing boats. It's going to be an unforgettable exp

Hey team! Before we dive in, I've got some exciting announcements: 1) Join us on August 8th NJ for an exclusive Advanced Real Estate Investing Workshop & Networking Event at the prestigious Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, NJ.  This premier event is crafted to elevate your real estate investing skills with institutional-level analysis. Whether you're a private investor, a commercial real estate operator, or work in the commercial real estate industry, this is your chance to expand your network and learn from the best. Space is limited, so don’t miss out!  Register here: https://www.10xvets.com/advanced-real-estate-workshop 2) On October 1st we're heading to Charleston, SC for an incredible retreat. We'll kick off with a business mastermind session at the Harbour Club in downtown Charleston. Later, we'll set sail on a harbor cruise and enjoy a fantastic dinner together. On October 2nd, get ready for an exciting inshore fishing tournament with a fleet of fishing boats. It's going to be an unforgettable exp

  Hey team! Before we dive in, I've got some exciting announcements: 1) Join us on August 8th NJ for an exclusive Advanced Real Estate Investing Workshop & Networking Event at the prestigious Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, NJ.  This premier event is crafted to elevate your real estate investing skills with institutional-level analysis. Whether you're a private investor, a commercial real estate operator, or work in the commercial real estate industry, this is your chance to expand your network and learn from the best. Space is limited, so don’t miss out!  Register here: https://www.10xvets.com/advanced-real-estate-workshop 2) On October 1st we're heading to Charleston, SC for an incredible retreat. We'll kick off with a business mastermind session at the Harbour Club in downtown Charleston. Later, we'll set sail on a harbor cruise and enjoy a fantastic dinner together. On October 2nd, get ready for an exciting inshore fishing tournament with a fleet of fishing boats. It's going to be an unforgettable e

“That’s the beauty of note investing. You don’t have to do it locally. It’s not like a development deal or a rental property where you have to be semi-local because there are no tenants or maintenance. It’s vacant land that is the collateral on these notes. We do deals in 30-plus states and that’s how we’re able to really scale it.” -Quinn McArthur, USMA ‘08 Quinn McArthur is the Co-Founder and Fund Manager of Legacy Land Fund, a real estate fund that focuses exclusively on the distinctive and expanding land investments sector. By securing a 1st lien position, imposing stringent requirements for robust down payments and credit scores, and maintaining a carefully balanced 50-60% loan-to-value ratio, Legacy Land Fund ensures a secure and reliable approach to land investment and allows for passive income for its investors through mortgage note investing. Quinn is a West Point graduate and former Green Beret. A devoted husband and father, he balances faith-driven values and a commitment to stewardship with his re

“Entrepreneurship, at its core, is all about leading. Leading customers, leading suppliers, leading bankers, leading lawyers, leading employees, and no one spends more money than the Department of Defense developing leaders. Have confidence that the raw leadership skill gets you halfway there.” -John Panaccione, Army Veteran John Panaccione is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a history of working in the information technology and services industry. He is a strong business development professional who is well-versed in the world of equity and debt financing, and the emerging wonderful world of equity crowdfunding and other SEC-exempt offerings used to raise capital. John’s company, Folla Capital, provides a platform for average Americans and accredited investors to invest in private small businesses of their choice, supporting the ventures and management teams they believe in. John also works with fellow veterans who are exploring entrepreneurship as a career path once they leave the military throug

“I want Zimba to be a key part of the digitization process that we’re starting to see in Uganda and other parts of Africa, especially for financial institutions.”  -Isaac Were, USMA ‘16 Isaac Were is the CEO of Zimba Technologies, a SaaS financial technology company that builds cloud-based software to digitize and automate financial institutions as well as provide them with access to capital. Zimba’s mission is to bridge financial gaps in developing markets through innovation and technology. Originally from Uganda, Isaac is addressing the problem of access to capital for individuals and business owners in the more rural parts of his home country. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a Biomedical Concentration. In this episode, we discuss: What led Isaac to start Zimba The types of clients Zimba serves and the services the company provides The typical journey for a customer using our Zimba’s core banking pla

“...if we can learn to lead ourselves, to manage our minds and our emotions and our actions in our private life, in our health, in our relationships and in the corporate world, then we are better positioned to use those critical thinking skills to make a difference in our businesses and in the greater world…” -Traci Fisher, USMA ‘91 Traci Fisher, a West Point graduate from the class of '91, embarked on a transformative journey after her career as a helicopter pilot in the Army. Delving into the realm of fitness and health, she developed an innovative approach known as Wellbeingness®. This methodology integrates cognitive and physical sciences to optimize executive performance, enabling leaders to attain and sustain peak wellness. Through the application of self-leadership principles, Traci empowers individuals and teams to unlock their personal and professional potential amid complex and uncertain environments. Traci boasts certifications as a Health and Wellness Coach, ICF Professional Certified Coach, Gallu

“You can sometimes convince somebody to buy a bottle of your whiskey the first time because of the story that you have, and I think we have a good story, but if the whiskey is no good, then they’re never going to buy another bottle. So the ideal combination is you’ve got a really good story and you’ve got a really great product.” -Ted Dumbauld, USNA ‘81 Ted Dumbauld is the Founder and CEO of SoNo 1420, an innovative, Double Gold award-winning distillery in South Norwalk, CT known for its ultra-premium brand whiskeys, vodkas, ready-to-drink vodka-based cocktails, innovative Threesome Ready-to-Mix Cocktails, and botanical gins. Before starting SoNo 1420, Ted was a successful investment manager of public and private securities and an aggressive and creative deal-maker. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and his Master of Science in Finance from the MIT Sloan School of Management. In this episode, we discuss: Ted’s inspiration for starting SoNo 1420 and

“We’re really taking care of the houses and we’re really taking care of the families that are living in these houses. We’re providing a service just as much as we are being landlords because these families can take their government vouchers wherever they go. We have to be good stewards of the government funding or else it is going to naturally leave.” -Briar Bearss, USMA ‘22 Briar Bearss is an entrepreneur focused on real estate and private capital. His former ventures include My Tennessee Home Solution, Tennessee's premier off-market homebuyer. Briar is the President and CEO of the Bearss Company, a boutique alternative asset manager holding controlling positions in exceptional companies and projects. He also leads The Bearss Foundation, a private family foundation formed under Section 501(c)(3) providing scholarship opportunities and mentorship to high school students in his home state of Michigan. Briar currently serves as an Army Officer and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point