Service Academy Business Mastermind

Rachael Jackson is a West Point graduate with a degree in Physics and Nuclear Engineering, former Army Captain and Apache Attack Helicopter pilot. As an Army officer, she saw first-hand the importance of taking care of soldiers and their families. As CEO of TRIBAL, she has seen first-hand the power of story and the necessity for relationships to change hearts and drive action. Her life’s work is to connect people to a greater sense of meaning through stories, resources, and relationships.  TRIBAL is a relationship and community-building platform that helps leaders connect with, grow and inspire their people. In this episode, Rachael and I discuss: How her mobile app helps employees create conversations and build stronger relationships How she brought her idea to market and got her first customers Her best tips for overcoming fear when launching a new business Connect with Rachael Jackson: Rachael on Linkedin TRIBAL If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe a

Today is the 100th episode of the SABM podcast. In today’s episode I share the story of SABM, where the idea came from and how it has evolved over the past three years.  Since launching the community in 2017, we have grown immensely thanks to all the amazing grads who have contributed their time, talent and ideas. In today’s episode, I share: How the idea for SABM started with a coffee mug business and the need to be surrounded by like-minded people The story and mindset shift of transitioning from a side-hustle to a full-time business Overcoming fear and procrastination when launching a new business (or any creative project) Special thanks for Ginni Guiton (USMA) for joining me on today’s podcast.  And thank you to all our podcast listeners, meetup attendees, real estate accelerator members, investor group members, and mastermind members.  Without you, there wouldn’t be an SABM.  The face of SABM will always be the community of academy grads who make our tribe so special. If you found this episode valuable

France Hoang (USMA '95) has developed a patent-pending artificial intelligence engine to help organizations predict who in a new list of people are most like the original list using hundreds of data points.  Their predictive models help nonprofit fundraisers find new donors (boodle.ai), help political candidates raise contributions (adjutant.ai), and help companies find new clients that match the profile of their existing clients (guidon.ai). In this episode, we discuss: How their AI tool can find potential clients from an existing list of prospects How they help companies reduce marketing cost through their predictive models The most important skills he learned in the Army that have helped him as an entrepreneur Connect with France Hoang: France on LinkedIn Boodle.ai for non-profits Adjutant.ai for politicians Guidon.ai for companies 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,

Bo Bergstrom (USNA '03) is the CEO of Humanly, a company that offers co-working spaces to help therapists and other private practitioners transition into their own private practice. In addition to flexible office space, they also provide their members with an active and supportive community along with business classes to help them thrive. In this episode, we discuss: His company’s goal to grow to 500 locations in the next five years How they are planning to grow using the franchising model His personal story from serving as a Marine that attracted him to this business Connect with Bo Bergstrom: Humanly Bo 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 Bo fo

Claude Burns is the Founder of Office Libations, a corporate beverage and snack service delivering to offices in the San Francisco Bay area. They offer craft and local brands of coffee, tea, snacks, beer, wine, and spirits.  In 2019, Office Libations was ranked as the #2 fastest growing business in Oakland by the Inc 5000. In this episode, Claude and I discuss: His journey from the Navy into the snack & beverage delivery business How business school helped him formulate his idea His growing team and an open position he has at his company Connect with Claude: Office Libations Claude 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 Claude for joining me thi

Brad Artery (USNA '95) is the CEO of MOCingbird, an innovative online platform for healthcare professionals to monitor certification and educational requirements.  The platform allows users to track and store MOCs, CMEs and state licenses in a secure vault in order to stay up-to-date and compliant.  In the Navy, Brad was a submarine officer, doing tours on two Los Angeles class fast attack submarines. In this episode, Brad and I discuss: His journey from the Navy into the healthcare business The value proposition of his platform to healthcare professionals His lessons learned getting the product to market Connect with Brad: MOCingbird Brad 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-st

Chris Prentice (USMA '92) has over 20 years of medical device experience in both large strategic healthcare companies and in successful startup companies. Most recently he was Vice President of Commercial Integration at Medtronic. Prior to his position at Medtronic, he was CEO of Mazor Robotics, which was acquired by Medtronic in December 2018 for $1.6B. In this episode, Chris and I discuss: His journey from the Army into the medical device industry How he grew a company that sold for $1.6B His new robotics company that is revolutionizing upper extremity rehabilitation Connect with Christopher: Harmonic Bionics Chris 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 tha

Charles Mullenger (USMA ’10) is the owner of Ethos Evacuation Strategies, a leading partner in emergency preparedness and an American-made manufacturer of cost-effective evacuation solutions, including its flagship product, the Med Sled®. Since 2004, Med Sled has been developing products to support disaster preparedness and emergency evacuation to ensure that non-ambulatory individuals are transported safely in an emergency. In this episode, Charles and I discuss: His path into business ownership through a search fund The 3 different types of search funds and the benefits of each His short- and long-term goals for Ethos Evacuation Strategies Connect with Charles: Ethos Evacuation Strategies Charles 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 avai

Ben Allen (USNA '07) is the Chief Operations Officer at Beachly, a subscription-based premium apparel company inspired by the coastal lifestyle.  I’m also joined by Kevin Tighe, Co-Founder & CEO at Beachly. In this episode, we discuss: Why they chose a subscription model to sell their coastal themed clothing How they attracted their first customers and how they are getting new customers today Valuable lessons learned on hiring and building a business from the ground up Connect with Ben & Kevin: Ben on LinkedIn Kevin on LinkedIn Beachly website 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 Ben and Kevin for joining me this week.  Until next time! -Scott Mackes,

David Chepauskas (USMA '77) is a Senior Wealth Planner at Summit Financial, an independent wealth management firm located in Parsippany, New Jersey.  David has over 28 years of experience specializing in solving problems and maximizing opportunities for senior Wall Street professionals, business owners, executives, and retirees. In this episode, David and I discuss: How to minimize capital gains tax through charitable giving How a charitable giving strategy creates a sense of purpose during retirement How his firm has helped some of the most financially successful Academy graduates in the U.S. Connect with David: David on LinkedIn Summit Financial, LLC 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-s

Mike Nemeth (USMA '04) is best known across the Service Academy community for his hilarious pranks that capture the spirit of the Army/Navy rivalry.  In addition to his role as the community prankster, he’s also a very successful entrepreneur who has built a 7-figure apparel business from the ground up. In this episode, Mike and I discuss: His apparel company that has grown to over 7-figures in sales in the last two years His marketing pivot that helped him target the clients he loves serving His recent prank that included a press release saying the Navy named a new destroyer after Army’s football coach Connect with Mike: Mike on LinkedIn Emblem Athletic Mike’s book: Discipline the Annapolis Way 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

Alex Chehansky (USNA '95) is the CFO and Partner at Notorious Wines, a wine company that has achieved national distribution through its great tasting wine and winning team.  Their flagship wine, Notorious Pink, is an award-winning rosé made from 100% Grenache. In this episode, Alex and I discuss: How they got their first customers and have grown sales to 50,000+ cases per year Best practices and lessons learned from growing their team Advice for Academy grads working in a start-up environment Connect with Alex: Alex on LinkedIn Notorious Wines 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 Alex for joining me this week.  Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Bryan Rodriguez is a real estate investor who has built a portfolio of real estate investments while serving on active duty in the U.S. Army. Part of his investment strategy involves renting his properties on Airbnb.  In addition to real estate investing, Brian and his wife, Lana, run a real estate agency where they ranked in the top 10% of agents in the Colorado market.  In this episode, Bryan and I discuss: His best tips for renting investment properties on Airbnb Important metrics to consider when listing a property on Airbnb Utilizing a VA loan to purchase an investment property Connect with Bryan Rodriguez: Bryan on LinkedIn The Lana Rodriguez Group

Jim “Bart” Bartelloni (USNA '90) is a Naval Academy graduate and former Rugby player. He cut his teeth in the military as a Naval Aviator, flying F-14s and graduating from the US Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun). The opportunity to relocate to San Diego brought the chance to learn stand up paddle (SUP) surfing. After attending a SUP ‘n’ Surf retreat he made the decision to bring this opportunity to veterans with the hope they enjoy the same unique experience as he did. In this episode, Jim and I discuss: How SUP boarding can help military veterans with PTSD Lessons learned from starting a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization Pro tips for catching a wave on a SUP board

Caroline Johnson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2009 and is a former F/A-18 Super Hornet Weapons System Operator. She was one of the first women to fly a combat mission over Iraq since 2011, and she was the first woman to drop bombs on ISIS. Transitioning to the private sector, Caroline co-authored Jet Girl and has become a professional speaker. She has spoken at international banks, Fortune 100 tech companies, hedge funds, industry events, leading higher education institutions, high schools, retirement communities, and her following is growing. In this episode, Caroline and I discuss: Her favorite stories from flying missions on a F/A-18 Super Hornet The challenges she faced to write a book and become a professional speaker Her mission to inspire young women to take risks and achieve their goals Connect with Caroline Johnson: Caroline on LinkedIn Jet Girl Website Buy Jet Girl on Amazon If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe and help out the sh

Dan Lesniak (USNA ‘02) is a billion-dollar real estate agent, best-selling author, investor, developer and coach. He began his career in real estate in 2012 after having successful careers both as a Naval submarine officer and defense contractor.  His HyperLocal strategy led to one of the fastest starts in real estate with over $22 million in sales in his first year. In this episode, we discuss: How he and his wife Keri grew their team to 65 agents and $400M in annual sales A strategic marketing shift that has attracted hundreds of new leads His new coaching and real estate development businesses Connect with Dan Lesniak: Dan on LinkedIn HyperFast Agent Coaching Orange Line Living Real Estate Team Buy Dan’s 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 a

Episode link: https://www.sabmgroup.com/intellispex Blake Ratcliff (USNA '84) is the founder of IntelliSpeX, a company that is revolutionizing how the construction industry handles time and workforce management. IntelliSpeX’s patent-pending site-performance technology captures Evidence of Performance and other high-value data to increase productivity on the job site.  We are also joined on the podcast by Scott Kushino (USNA '84), Head of Corporate Development, and Dion Rudnicki, CEO. In this episode, we discuss: How their mobile app is saving construction managers tons of time and money Initial feedback they have received from their customers Their short- and long-term goals for IntelliSpeX Connect with the team: IntelliSpeX website Blake on LinkedIn Scott 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 an

Barry Gittleman is a 1989 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, retired submarine service Commander, and a 2003 graduate of Harvard Business School. After a few years doing strategic consulting with Boston Consulting Group, Barry got into the home building industry just as the Great Recession was beginning. Ten years later, Barry moved from Atlanta to Salt Lake City for the opportunity to become an owner of Hamlet Homes, a private company with a founder seeking a succession plan. At Hamlet Homes, Barry and his team are committed to providing home buyers with quality homes in attractively designed neighborhoods in Northern Utah. Hamlet Homes will celebrate its 25th year in 2020, and has built over 3,600 homes in 62 neighborhoods. Hamlet Homes recently was named the Salt Lake Chamber’s Veteran Owned Business of the Year for 2019, won Best of State 2019 for Real Estate Development, Best of the West for both Real Estate Services and Architecture and recently was acknowledged on Professional Builder’s Housing Giants

Tom Coyle (USMA ‘97) is the co-founder of Adventures in Leadership and the author of the book, Leadership Lessons from the Battle of Gettysburg. He has written many articles and appeared on many video blogs about leadership. He gets students and clients out of their comfort zone and working together through hands-on experiential leadership exercises. His goal is to pass on lessons from his military service to future generations of leaders. In this episode, Tom and I discuss: How he sold 4,000+ books on Amazon without any promotion His book writing process that enables him to write books quickly How he landed an $18,000 client from a video he posted on LinkedIn Connect with Tom Coyle: Tom on LinkedIn Adventures in Leadership 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 Podc

Episode link: https://www.sabmgroup.com/chandra-adusei/ Chandra Adusei is the Founder of Veteran Wealth Partners, a financial services company whose mission is to serve Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners by providing innovative and alternative solutions to the traditional model of planning, scaling, and protecting a business. Chandra was a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy and served onboard the USS Bunker Hill and USS John L Hall. In this episode, we discuss: How she utilized captive insurance to help a $5M client save on taxes How she found her niche and how that has helped her attract more clients Her key takeaway from the Naval Academy that has helped her succeed as an entrepreneur Connect with Chandra Adusei: Chandra on LinkedIn Veteran Wealth Partners 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 a