Service Academy Business Mastermind

Buddy Rushing (USNA ’04) is the founder of White Feather Investments and the leader of the Real Estate Accelerator, a six-month course for Service Academy graduates and military veterans who want to achieve financial freedom through real estate investing.  Since his first appearance on the podcast in 2018, Buddy has built multiple businesses and will be transitioning out of the Marine Corps in a few weeks (after 16 years of service!) to pursue his business endeavors full time. In this episode, Buddy and I discuss: How the Real Estate Accelerator grew from just an idea to a powerhouse community of 100+ real estate investors Time management strategies for managing multiple businesses in your spare time and the financial risk he took to pull it off His favorite success stories from Accelerator members over the last two years Connect with Buddy Rushing: Buddy on LinkedIn White Feather Investments Real Estate Accelerator Join our upcoming call on Saturday, September 26th to meet the team and learn about the Re

On today's podcast episode, I am excited to announce the launch of our new program called 10X Vets.  10X Vets is a business mastermind group for military veterans who want to grow their businesses to a new level through new learning, collaboration and connections. The program has been underway for a couple of months and we are already up to 40 members. In this episode, we discuss: The 10X Vets Capital Circle that helps real estate investors, fund managers and startups grow their network and net worth The 10X Vets B2B Circle that helps small business owners and high caliber sales reps grow their businesses through trusted referrals Our plans to launch additional circles including a Government Contracting, Healthcare, and Non-Profit circles How the entire community connects each month through a monthly zoom meeting and slack channel Connect with the team: Learn about 10X Vets: https://sabmgroup.com/10x/ Guests on today's show: Bill Militello, David Wuensch and Mark Mhley If you found this episode valuable,

Jesse Iwuji (USNA '10) is an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve and a professional NASCAR driver.   He is currently the only driver in all of NASCAR at the national levels to serve in the military.  Jesse was also a free safety on the Navy football team and is the founder of The Red List Group, a trucking and logistics company based in Southern California. In this episode, Jesse and I discuss: His path to becoming a NASCAR driver His unique goal-setting process that helps him turn a vision into a reality The skills he learned at the Naval Academy that are helping him on the racetrack Connect with Jesse Iwuji: JesseIwuji.com Jesse on LinkedIn If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review!

Lionel Hines (USNA '94) is a partner with Payment Lock, an all-in-one solution for both in-store retail transactions and online payments.  Their platform is designed for speed and built on military-grade encryption. I am also joined by Ryan Smith, the founder of Payment Lock and a former professional football player. In this episode, we discuss: Their payment processing platform that saves business owners on expensive credit card fees Their favorite client success story How their experience as athletes has helped them as entrepreneurs Connect with Lionel and Ryan: Lionel Hines on LinkedIn Ryan Smith on LinkedIn Payment Lock If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks t

Tim Mobley (USMA '93) is the Founder of Connext Global Solutions, a staffing company that provides companies with talented offshore professionals, work tools, and operating facilities that support their profitable growth. In this episode, Tim and I discuss: The most popular tasks that companies outsource to them Their capability to build out entire teams for their clients How they are different from other outsourcing companies Connect with Tim Mobley: Tim on Linkedin Connext Global Solutions If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Tim for joining me this week.  Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA ’01

Thomas Schwab (USNA '87) is the Founder of Interview Valet, a company that helps business owners turn listeners into leads and leads into customers by talking directly to ideal customers with Podcast Interview Marketing. In this age of Social Distancing, the most effective way to market your business is through Podcast Interview Marketing where you're interviewed as the expert guest on podcasts that your potential customers already listen to. You get a long-term return on investment (ROI) that beats blogging, advertising, and social media postings. In this episode, Tom and I discuss: Tom’s experience from being a guest on 1,000+ podcasts His white-glove service that helps business owners get booked on popular podcasts His best advice for someone wanting to start a podcast Connect with Thomas Schwab: Tom on Linkedin Interview Valet Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Tom for joining

Chris Hsu (USMA '92) is is the CEO and Co-Founder of Zibo, a digital financial services platform that provides individual landlords banking, insurance, and payment services solutions.  Zibo helps landlords save time and hassle by automating monthly rent collection and accepting multiple forms of payment from tenants, including debit card, credit card, and ACH bank transfers. Prior to starting Zibo, Chris was the Chief Operating Officer of Hewlett Packard Enterprise and the CEO of a publicly-traded enterprise software company. In this episode, we discuss: How his app optimizes efficiencies for small independent landlords His best lessons learned on raising capital and building his team from the ground up How his experience at West Point has helped him as an entrepreneur Connect with Chris Hsu: Chris on LinkedIn Zibo Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Chris for joining me this week.

Raymond Bednar (USMA '84) is the President and Founder of Hyperion Marketing Returns where he optimizes strategies for investments in marketing channels with an emphasis on return on investment (ROI) and return on business objectives (ROO or ROBO).  His sub-specialty within marketing departments is sports sponsorships where he has extensive relationships at the top sponsorship entities in the world including NFL, MLB, NBA, and PGA. In this episode, we discuss: How to negotiate sponsorship opportunities based on business goals How to obtain the most essential sponsorship benefits without paying for unproductive frills Why “skybox tickets” might not yield the highest ROI for your business Connect with Raymond Bednar: Raymond on LinkedIn Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Raymond for joining me this week.  Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA ’01

Russell Long (USAFA '12) is the Founder of Long Capture, a team of Military Veterans and Spouses who support small businesses with exciting new technology ideas by helping them find and capture contracts through the SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Program and other funding opportunities. In this episode, Russ and I discuss: How he has helped companies win 90M+ in SBIR awards The competitive advantage he offers companies in the SBIR application process His goal to help companies achieve multi-million dollar government contracts Connect with Russell Long: Long Capture Russell on Linkedin If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Russ for joining me this we

Trevor Benitone (USAFA '95) and Joe Ruzicka (USNA '96) are leaders at Adams Keegan, a national and privately held HR services firm based in Memphis, TN.   Their services include payroll, HR management, benefits administration, compliance support, and recruiting.  James Keegan (USMA graduate) was an early investor in Adams Keegan and currently serves on the Board of Directors. In this episode, we discuss: How their company has grown over the last 33 years and the new geographic markets they have their sites on How they help small and mid-size businesses avoid HR land mines The personalized support they offer to help entrepreneurs at every stage of their business Connect with Trevor and Joe: Trevor on LinkedIn Joe on LinkedIn Adams Keegan If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Trevor and Joe for joining me th

Jason Schwab (USMA '05) is the co-founder of Glove Box, an e-commerce company that curates and distributes premium car care products to automotive enthusiasts across the United States and Canada. They launched in 2018 and have shipped over 20,000 products to date. In this episode, we discuss: Their path from 0 to 20,000+ products sold How they source products and their value proposition to their members The most important skills he learned in the Army that have helped him as an entrepreneur Connect with Jason Schwab: Glove Box Jason on LinkedIn If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Jason for joining me this week.  Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA ’01

Dean Wegner (USMA '93) is the founder of Authentically American, an iconic American brand that sells products that are truly American Made. His expertise in the apparel industry, coupled with his passion for America, provided all the incentive he needed to create a brand that aims to set the universally accepted standard for premium American made merchandise while delivering a significant impact on US job creation. In this episode, Dean and I discuss: His flagship Sweat Tee that celebrates the Army/Navy rivalry The Authentically American podcast that has featured world-class athletes and business leaders His goal to create a $1 Billion brand Connect with Dean Wegner: Dean on LinkedIn Authentically American If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also availabl

Jason Van Camp (USMA '01) is the Founder of Mission 6 Zero, a leadership assessment and development company created by United States Special Forces Operators (Green Berets, Delta Force, Navy SEALs, CIA, FBI), refined through scientifically proven methods developed by their human performance and sports psychologist PhDs, and reinforced through their cadre of wounded warriors. In this episode, Jason and I discuss: How he scored the New York Jets as his first client His new book Deliberate Discomfort and why he wrote it Best practices for overcoming fear and unlocking your potential Connect with Jason Van Camp: Jason on LinkedIn Mission 6 Zero Warrior Rising Foundation Buy the Deliberate Discomfort book If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on G

Larry Gast (USAFA '85) is the founder of LEG Ventures, a company that supplies capital and services to business and commercial real estate firms.  His firm recently created a private group purchasing organization (GPO) with select strategic partner firms for qualifying businesses. His GPO can save businesses $1,000 to $100,000+ annually plus they’ll receive better service through their negotiated volume pricing. In this episode, Larry and I discuss: How he got started down the entrepreneurial path after his service in the Air Force How he can help veteran business owners save money through his GPO His short- and long-term goals for LEG Ventures Connect with Larry Gast: Larry on LinkedIn LEG Ventures If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Go

Sean Cleveland (USMA '92) is a founding partner at nxtU, a company that offers concierge and workshop-level training, support, mentorship, and coaching to help high students and transitioning military members achieve their professional goals and aspirations. Sean's work with nxtU draws upon 28 years of leadership experience and 16 years in different capacities in higher education. He has served as an academic success coach in a PAC-12 intercollegiate athletics department, as an instructor and advisor in an alternative admissions program at a Big-12 university, and as a junior and senior rotating faculty member at West Point, where he also served as the Associate Director of the Mounger Writing Center and Writing Fellows Program. In this episode, Sean and I discuss: His coaching process that helps individuals get accepted to a top-tier university How he helps student-athletes achieve peak academic performance His best advice for parents to help their kids prepare for college Connect with Sean Cleveland: Sea

Joshua Emison (USNA '14) is the owner of Tracer Consulting, a company that specializes in helping military veterans find the right franchise opportunity.  As a Franchise Consultant, Josh assists those in a career transition to decide if franchising is right for them.   His free services will teach you what franchising is, help you discover your funding options, and ultimately help you find the right franchise that is the perfect fit for you. In this episode, Josh and I discuss: How he got started as a Franchise Consultant The best ways to finance a franchise and discounts available to military veterans Franchise concepts that are thriving in the new economy Connect with Josh Emison: Josh on LinkedIn Tracer Consulting If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Al

John Graham (USMA '87) is the CEO at Campfire Capital, an investment banking team that has nearly a century of collective strategic advisory and financial services experience.  In today’s episode, we discuss their efforts to build out ThayerGate.Ai, a Business Accelerator program located outside the gates of West Point.  ThayerGate.Ai provides below-market occupancy costs, workforce training, mentoring programs, easy access to experienced professionals, and a host of other resources for business owners.  I am also joined on this episode by John Vermeesch (USMA '90) and Peter Goudet (USMA '91), President of Campfire Capital. In this episode, we discuss: The special support they are offering business owners who are located at their facility Their mission to support the revitalization and improvement of the Greater West Point-Highland Falls Community The most important skills they learned at West Point that have helped them as entrepreneurs Connect with the team: John Graham on LinkedIn John Vermeesch on Link

Stuart Grazier (USNA '02) is an active-duty Navy pilot who has served 17 years in the military. Over the last 11 years, he has purchased approximately $600,000 in performing mortgage notes, 4 single-family rental properties, an RV park, is a part-owner in an apartment complex and mobile home park syndication, and has recently started a turnkey real estate company with his best friend and USNA roommate where they are providing rehabbed, cash flowing rental properties to their network of military/veteran and patriot investors. Starting in June of 2018, his company Storehouse 3:10 Ventures has acquired and sold approximately 35 turnkey rental properties, averaging 2-3 properties per month. Stuart is also the President of the Military Investor Network, which aims to network, educate, and connect other military/veteran service members that are interested in real estate investing. In this episode, Stu and I discuss: How to purchase and analyze a turnkey rental property and the returns they offer investors Their fa

Paul Huszar (USMA '90) is the President and CEO of VetCor, a restoration company that solves water and mold damage problems and provides other related services to commercial and residential property owners. VetCor is staffed by military veterans and is currently seeking new franchisees as they expand across the U.S. In this episode, Paul and I discuss: His goal to become the #1 private employer of military veterans The steps to take if you want to become a franchisee The markets they are expanding into across the U.S. Connect with Paul Huszar: Paul on LinkedIn VetCor Franchising If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Paul for joining me this week.  Until next t

Peter Joukov (USNA '05) is the co-founder of Inq Tattoos, a company that is disrupting the tattoo industry with high-end boutiques that focus on clean design, transparency, and a customer-first philosophy.  Their sole focus is to ensure that customers feel welcome, safe, and walk away with an amazing tattoo that they absolutely love. In this episode, Peter and I discuss: Why he decided to open tattoo boutiques and revolutionize the customer experience Franchising opportunities they have available across the country The most important skills he learned at the Naval Academy that have helped him as an entrepreneur Connect with Peter Joukov: Peter on LinkedIn Inq Tattoos If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Play, Spotify & Stitcher