Service Academy Business Mastermind

Link to article: https://www.sabmgroup.com/john-ware/ John Ware (USCGA ’73) is the owner of Antifragile Business Resolutions.  Throughout his career, he has accumulated over 40 years of global experience and expertise within all types of business management disciplines. He has lived and worked in over 30 countries, either as a top executive with multinational manufacturing companies, or as the owner of his own multi-million dollar companies.  He specializes in difficult start-up and turnaround operations – those most in need of profit enhancement, cost controls, process overhaul and continuous improvement. In this episode, John and I discuss: His favorite stories from his involvement in over 150 turnaround situations; How he helped build the supply chains for major manufacturing and distribution companies giving them a global presence; and Why he keeps going and never plans to retire. Connect with John: Antifragile Business Resolutions John on LinkedIn If you found this episode valuable, please share it w

Investors Group Link: https://www.sabmgroup.com/invest/ In today’s podcast, we are excited to launch the Service Academy Investors Group!  This is a group of Academy graduates who are building wealth through investing in private equity, real estate, and operating businesses.  I am joined by special guest Bill Militello (USNA '92), Founder of Militello Capital. Bill’s team created an online platform called Local Vest where our Investors Group will be hosted. In this episode, Bill and I discuss how the platform will allow you to: Access exclusive investment opportunities Build your professional network Share your investment opportunities and experience with the group Learn from experts who specialize in various types of investments 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 iTunes

Episode link: https://www.sabmgroup.com/at-branch A.T. Branch (USMA ’10) is a former Army Captain and an up and coming performing artist in Nashville, TN.  Fresh off his completion of 8 years of active duty service, he is working diligently to release his introductory EP to the world this Summer.  He recently completed a successful Kickstarter campaign raising over $10,000 for his new album. In this episode, A. T. and I discuss: His decision to pursue a singing career after completing his military service; His strategy behind raising over $10,000 on Kickstarter for his new album; and A behind the scenes look on what it takes to create a music album. Connect with A. T. Branch: ATBranch.com A. T. 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 iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher

Website link: https://www.sabmgroup.com/mike-steadman Mike Steadman (USNA ’10) is the Founder and CEO of IRONBOUND Unlimited, a veteran owned social enterprise that runs on-site corporate boxing classes for forward-thinking companies. IRONBOUND Boxing strives to strengthen community, relieve stress, and promote physical fitness as a way of life. Proceeds from the corporate classes power the IRONBOUND Boxing Academy, IRONBOUND’s nonprofit boxing gym.  The Academy provides free recreation to youth and young adults in Newark, NJ. In this episode, Mike and I discuss: How he found his passion in boxing and became a three-time national champion. How the Bunker Labs program helped him go from “idea to invoice.” His experience at Stanford Ignite and how it opened his eyes to entrepreneurship. Connect with Mike: IRONBOUND Mike 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 jo

Episode link: https://www.sabmgroup.com/jeanne-woodfin/ Jeanné Woodfin (USNA ’94) is the Founder of XenaTech, a business that is changing the way companies track and manage their fleets of vehicles.  XenaTech leverages the Internet of Things (IoT) to provide intelligent transportation solutions through web-based and mobile applications development and hardware integration to improve efficiencies of fleet management. In this episode, Jeanné and I discuss: How she improves fleet efficiency with her innovative software Her journey as an entrepreneur and how she overcame the fear and uncertainty of starting her own business What she learned at the Naval Academy that has helped her as an entrepreneur Connect with Jeanné: XenaTech Jeanné 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: Sub

Website link: https://www.sabmgroup.com/brian-retherford/ Brian Retherford (USMA '04) is an Army Officer and the Founder of Claudine Wines, an online wine company that sells high-end wines at affordable prices.  Claudine Wines buys excess barrels from fine wine producers and bottles it under their own label. By cutting out unnecessary expenses and streamlining the production and ordering process, they can bring top-flight wine to their customers for a fraction of the price. In this episode, Brian and I discuss: How he connected with a winery and got his first customers Why he sells his wine exclusively online The biggest lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey Connect with Brian Claudine Wines Brian 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 iTunes Subscri

Episode link: https://www.sabmgroup.com/big-news In this episode, I talk with Bill Watkins (USMA '77) our Founder & CEO Accelerator Coach.  We discuss the explosive growth of SABM in 2018 and some of the exciting goals we have in 2019. Bill is known as the “CEO Whisperer.” He speaks the language of high performance and accelerated results to CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs. Using tools gleaned and created from his own experience and the experience of others, Bill shows business owners how to get more—more money, more results, more happiness, more time, and more done—so they can add jet fuel to their business success and lead extraordinary lives at home at the same time.  He founded his coaching company, The Lion’s Pride, after selling his 8-figure business and deciding he wanted to help business owners avoid some of the mistakes that he made so they can achieve their goals much faster.  He is the Founder & CEO Accelerator coach at SABM. We also discuss: Bill’s live events and the possibility of a S

SABM Link:  https://www.sabmgroup.com/robert-shaye/ Robert Shaye (USCGA ’04) is the Founder of Fireside Finances, a financial education company that delivers financial education through online courses and in-person workshops.  After opening his first IRA at age 15 with earnings from mowing lawns and babysitting, Rob has never stopped learning about personal finance and investing.  Rob holds an MBA from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. In this episode, Robert and I discuss: His path from the Coast Guard to financial planning Why he chose to educate clients vs. manage their assets His innovative marketing strategy for getting new clients Connect with Robert: Fireside Finances Robert on LinkendIn 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: Subscrib

Episode link:  https://www.sabmgroup.com/success-stories/ Buddy Rushing (USNA '04) is the CEO of White Feather Investment and the fearless leader of SABM's Real Estate Investing Accelerator. Over the past 10 years Buddy and his team have flipped houses, wholesaled, invested in trust deeds, structured seller financed transactions using Roth IRA funds, purchased an apartment complex, executed multiple 1031 exchanges, and much more. In the past eighteen months, White Feather Investments has purchased 80+ rental properties, added $10MM+ worth of real estate to their collective portfolios, and established $70k+ in monthly rental income. Buddy’s course is one of the most popular at SABM!  Here are some of the wins our members have achieved over the last six months: $19,100+ In Monthly Rental Income Created $1.68M+ Worth of Real Estate Value Purchased Tens of Thousands in Taxes SAVED 11 Successful Real Estate Investment Deals We also discuss how you can register for the next course kicking off in January! REGISTER

Episode link: https://www.sabmgroup.com/jim-stallings Jim Stallings (USNA ’78) is a globally recognized business leader with extensive experience transforming companies and teams for sales and profit growth. He is the managing partner of PS 27 Ventures, a private investment company focused on innovations in the expanding wellness and sustainable living market. He has held top leadership roles in several Fortune 25 companies and been involved in numerous startups. He serves on the boards of Fidelity National Information Services Corporation, Seaside National Bank and Trust Company, and the World Affairs Council of Florida. In this episode, Jim and I discuss: His framework and selection process for investing in startups Success stories of companies who have gone through his program The #1 thing he looks for when investing in an entrepreneur Connect with Jim: Jim on LinkedIn PS27 Ventures If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and

Robert Mixon (USMA ’74) is a retired U.S. Army Major General, former President of a manufacturing company, EVP of a diverse, innovative not for profit company, and Leadership Consultant. As the Founder of Level Five Associates, he’s worked with hundreds of senior executives and high-level managers since beginning Level Five Associates.  Robert inspires audiences, motivates teams, builds better leaders, and creates cultures of excellence. In this episode, Robert and I discuss: How he leverages his military experience to serve his clients and the most common problems he helps them solve What the military to civilian transition is like for a flag officer and how he connected with his first opportunity What it was like starting a business from scratch and the key lessons he learned along the way Connect with Robert: Robert on LinkedIn Level Five Associates 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

Ginni Guiton graduated from the United States Military Academy – in one of the first classes that accepted women – where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and went on to earn a Master of Science in Developmental Psychology from the University of Georgia. In 2017, Ginni graduated from Grace Space Hypnotherapy School and it was an interaction with Grace’s hypnotherapy skills that led Ginni to know the magnitude of what is possible through hypnosis. Being a hypnotherapist and high ranking Army Officer may not seem related, but they are more alike than most realize. Ginni seeks to change others’ lives by creating lasting change. Grace Smith is a world-renowned hypnotherapist and founder of both Grace Space, “Your Virtual Hypnotherapist,” and Grace Method Hypnotherapy School.  Grace’s private clients include celebrities, CEOs, professional athletes, and government officials; her keynote speeches and workshops have taken her to OZY Fest with Hillary Clinton, Proctor & Gamble, Summit.Live, Women Em

Nick Karnaze (USNA '04) is the Founder of Stubble & Stache, an online retailer of men’s grooming products.  From hydrating your handsome face to reducing beard itch, their award-winning skincare products answer your grooming needs regardless of facial hair length, complexion or skin type. Prior to starting Stubble & Stache, Nick served over seven years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. First as an intelligence officer, then in 2007 joining the Corps' newly formed elite special operations unit: MARSOC aka the Marine Raiders. He was a member of the 2nd Raider Battalion until leaving the Marine Corps in late 2011. In this episode, Nick and I discuss: His story about creating the company in honor of a friend he lost in combat His flagship product that helps people who have an itchy beard How he got his first customers and the story behind his breakthrough moment Connect with Nick: Stubble & Stache Nick on LinkedIn If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or

Andy Mazeika (USMA ’08) is an entrepreneur who is passionate about creating games that people love. His latest release “Cartel: A Card Game" is Euro Styled game where players run their own cartels by raising as much cryptocurrency as possible. In this episode, Andy and I discuss: His story about creating a card game and his goal to become a filmmaker How he connected with the right people that brought his game to life His Kickstarter campaign and how you can support it Connect with Andy: Andy's Kickstarter campaign Andy's 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 iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Andy for joining me this week.  Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA ’01

Scottie Schneider (USMA ’09) is the Co-Founder of FollowupEdge, a tool that automates lead follow up with remote voicemails, emails, and texts. All the messages are personalized and intelligently respond to how the client reacts. In this episode, Scottie and I discuss: How his company has generated over 20,000 leads for businesses His automated follow-up system that generates a 42% response rate His low point as an entrepreneur and how he overcame it to build a prospering business Connect with Scottie Schneider: Scottie 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 iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Scottie for joining me this week.  Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA ’01

Brian Olivier (USNA '02) is the Founder of Gluconfidence, a company that enables people with diabetes to pursue an active, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. In 2005, while serving in the United States Navy as a Helicopter Pilot, Brian was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and told he could no longer serve as a Pilot in the U.S. Navy. After living with Type 1 Diabetes for over 13 years, and seeing the need for a concentrated, convenient source of Glucose… he created Gluconfidence! Also, Brian just launched a CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN for Gluconfidence! Support his campaign here:  https://www.sabmgroup.com/brian (And share the link with anyone you know with Diabetes!)  In this episode, Brian and I discuss: His game-changing product that helps diabetics maintain the right glucose levels His struggle with Type 1 diabetes and why he created GluConfidence His Indiegogo campaign goal to raise $25,000 for his first production run Connect with Brian Olivier Support his Indiegogo campaign Brian on LinkedIn Gluconfidence We

Luke Hutchison (USMA ’13) is the Founder of Perfect Venue, a website where you can find the perfect venue for your next event. Perfect Venue has won two Techstars sponsored pitch competitions and has generated thousands of dollars in revenue for venues in Colorado Springs, a small step into the $300B+ mid-size event industry. Luke is a former Army Infantry Officer and often found himself planning events for 20-800 people in between deployments to Afghanistan. In this episode, Luke and I discuss: How his company makes booking venues for events more efficient His vision to become the Airbnb for booking venues How he utilized the veteran community to get his first customers Military to civilian transition tips and why he chose entrepreneurship Connect with Luke Hutchison: Perfect Venue.com Luke 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

Gary Slyman (USNA '81) is a leadership coach and Mentor at the Global Good Fund.  The Global Good Fund is a leadership development enterprise built by and for social entrepreneurs. Their Veterans Leadership Program is a year-long program supporting the leadership development of entrepreneurs who are military veterans. They invest in these innovators by pairing them with executives who serve as Mentors, and by providing leadership assessment resources, a network of peers, sector expertise, and targeted financial capital. In this episode, Gary and I (along with Devon Sanford and Brenda Dilts from the Global Good Fund) discuss: Their fellowship program that offers personalized leadership development, executive mentoring and $10,000 in targeted capital to invigorate the leadership growth of veteran entrepreneurs Their 360 leadership assessment tool, specifically designed for entrepreneurs How to apply to their program that has only 10 spots available for military veterans Apply to the Program & Connect with

On this episode of the SABM podcast we discuss how a side hustle can help you: Improve your skillset Build new relationships And make more money! Side Hustlers are near and dear to my heart, mostly because I am one. I built both StrengthsMugs.com and the Service Academy Business Mastermind in my spare time. Both projects have been very rewarding, and not just financially; they have provided me with the extra confidence, capabilities, connections and capital to fund future projects. Learn more about the Side Hustle Sales Accelerator:   https://www.sabmgroup.com/hustle/ Enjoy!

Justus Getty (USNA '04) is an attorney with Duane Morris LLP, an AmLaw100 firm with more than 800 attorneys in offices across the globe. His work is primarily focused on the acquisition, enforcement, and licensing of patents and trademarks. His practice is also focused on startups, entrepreneurs, and early stage companies. He is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center, where he teaches "Intellectual Property for Startups." He has worked with more than 40 startup companies to protect their Intellectual Property to position them more competitively in the marketplace. In this episode, Justus and I discuss: How to apply for a patent and how the process works How to protect your brand with a trademark All the ways his firm helps business owners with legal issues Connect with Justus Getty Justus @ Duane Morris Justus 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,