Service Academy Business Mastermind

Alex Pederson  (USAFA ‘08) is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Polco, an online platform that supports community engagement in local government.  Alex and his partner built Polco because they found that government officials, specifically those at the local level, have difficulty getting real-time and reliable input from their communities.    In this episode, Alex and I discuss: How direct feedback from a city manager led to a pivot in his business A success story with a small town 90-year old constituent that illustrates how Polco gives community members a chance to share their voices Why he thinks working with another Academy graduate or military veteran makes for a strong business partnership The key skills and lessons learned from his time at the Air Force Academy and in the Air Force that are helping him today as an entrepreneur   Connect with Alex: Alex Pederson Polco If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate an

Tracey Moys (USNA ‘96) is a Color Consultant with House of Colour in West Cornwall, England.  Tracey has a master’s degree in meteorology and oceanography but, after becoming a mother and experiencing loss, she shifted careers to focus on helping others discover their best selves.   In this episode, Tracey and I discuss: How your image and style can impact your self-confidence and how she pushes her clients to be more authentic How she found her passion as a color consultant The lessons she learned at the Naval Academy and as a Naval Officer that are helping her run her business, especially during the pandemic Connect with Tracey: Tracey Moys House of Colour West Cornwall 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 Podcasts, Spotify &

Dr. Theresa Larson, a USMC veteran, and Jon Macaskill (USNA ‘01), a retired Navy SEAL, are partners working to bring mindfulness and movement into workplaces with their M2Rx Seminar for Employees.  Theresa is the president of Movement Rx whose mission is to empower people with the knowledge and tools to achieve a lifetime of physical freedom, and Jon is a mindfulness teacher.  Through their seminar, Theresa and Jon introduce self-care techniques to employees so that they can be healthy and present to do their best work while simultaneously improving their physical and emotional health.   In this episode, Jon, Theresa, and I discuss: How their seminars give participants mindfulness and movement tools to increase their productivity and improve workplace culture The timeliness of their offering as everyone’s stress is at an all-time high and movement is at an all-time low because of the global pandemic Their personal stories of how what they are teaching has helped them overcome personal and professional challe

Justin Nassiri (USNA ‘02) is the host of Beyond the Uniform, the iTunes #1 rated podcast for military veteran career advice, and is the CEO of Captivate, a platform that helps brands connect with their customers through micro content.  The Captivate team turns webinars and podcasts into 50-100 pieces of micro content that can be published on any social media channel to drive sales and customer engagement.   In this episode, Justin and I discuss: What makes a successful podcast and his best advice for anyone wanting to start a podcast How Captivate uses technology to identify the most timely pieces of content to publish The most important lessons he learned at the Naval Academy that have helped him as an entrepreneur  Connect with Justin: Justin Nassiri Captivate.ai Beyond the Uniform 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 tod

Christian Espinosa (USAFA ‘93) is the founder of Alpine Security, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Cyber Security business that he recently sold to a publicly-traded company.  Christian’s latest venture, The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity, is a new book that helps technical-minded individuals become thriving leaders. In this episode, Christian and I discuss: The process of selling a company and what’s next for him in business The framework he shares in his book that transforms great technical-minded individuals into great leaders How the discipline and persistence he learned at the USAFA and in the Air Force have helped him as an entrepreneur Connect with Christian: Christian Espinosa Christian Espinosa.com The Smartest Person in the Room 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 t

In today’s podcast, I am excited to welcome Bill Militello (USNA ‘92) back to the show to talk about 10X Vets.  The 10X Vets program at SABM is for military veteran entrepreneurs who want to grow their business to a 10X level through new learning, collaboration, and connections. Bill has been part of 10X Vets since its inception in June of 2020 and has helped grow it to over 50 members in the past six months.   In this episode, Bill and I discuss: The inside story of what’s been happening in the 10X Vets program since we launched last June Success stories and how the program has helped expand the knowledge, network and net-worth of the members  The 10X Challenge, a new framework we are developing to help our members 10X an aspect of their business or personal life Learn more about 10X Vets: https://sabmgroup.com/10x/ 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 supporti

Michael Sipe (USNA ‘92) is an independent business consultant and coach with Sipe Consulting.  Mike’s coaching program is based on energy leadership and he considers himself a Business Vitality Catalyst working with leaders to create a strategy and framework for a responsive and productive workforce.  In this episode, Mike and I discuss: What the Energy Leadership Index Assessment is, how it works, and how he uses it as a tool with his clients Why he moved away from working in corporate America and the advice he has for others hoping to start their own business An opportunity for listeners to take an energy level assessment and talk through the results with him Connect with Michael: Michael Sipe Michael Sipe 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

Ray Garfield (USNA ‘66) is the Chairman of Garfield Public Private (GPP), a national real estate development firm that focuses on developing essential buildings for public entities.  Ray founded GPP in 1997 in Dallas, Texas after an extensive career in commercial real estate, real estate development, and investment banking.  Ray’s projects include the Durham Performing Arts Center, University of Akron Football Stadium, Westin at the Oregon Convention Center, and many more. In this episode, Ray and I discuss: How GPP thinks creatively about structuring the financing on their projects Why GPP decided to focus on building in the public sector The key experiences Ray had as a midshipman and a Naval officer that helped him as an entrepreneur Two job opportunities for the SABM Community Connect with Ray:  Raymond Garfield Garfield Public Private 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,

Jerry Pilewski (USNA ‘97) is a business coach and trainer with FocalPoint Coaching.   FocalPoint Coaches work with entrepreneurs, business owners, and executives to help them grow and realize their potential.  Jerry believes that small to mid-sized businesses are the engine room of a sustainable society and he joined FocalPoint to be of service to business owners and their surrounding communities.   In this episode, Jerry and I discuss: The strength of the FocalPoint coaches' network and it’s content library  How he has helped other Academy grads start their own Focal Point franchises  How the Naval Academy and his time in the Navy equipped Jerry to succeed in business and prepared him to serve others Connect with Jerry: Jerry Pilewski FocalPoint 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:

David Garza (USMA ‘87) is the managing director and CEO of Compass Human Capital Advisors, a consulting practice that assists growing businesses scale and optimize their workforce.  David started Compass Human Capital Advisors after 25 years as an HR executive and honed his practice after he noticed that small business owners often struggle with hiring and developing their employees’ talents.   In this episode, David and I discuss: The four things businesses must address to successfully scale their workforce How he helps business owners define and nurture their companies’ cultures His best tips for hiring How a “just step forward” mentality garnered from West Point helped him grow his business Connect with David: David Garza Compass Human Capital Advisors 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 th

Charlie Felker (USMA ‘06) is the co-founder of Free-2-Grow which provides back-office support to service-based companies, allowing the owners and operators to focus on their customers and growing their businesses.  Free-2-Grow offers its customers the services of a full-time office manager at half of what it would cost to hire someone full-time and provides team support with its cross-trained staff. In this episode, Charlie and I discuss: How he built a product and a company around a pain point from his last business The creative ways he finds new clients The skills that he learned in the Army and at West Point that have helped him succeed as an entrepreneur  His best tips for creating a successful business partnership Connect with Charlie: Charlie Felker Free-2-Grow 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

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 three years His marketing pivot during COVID that helped him target the clients he loves serving His latest pranks which include the Navy Tears of Sadness Candle and one surprise 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 Podcasts, Spoti

Christian White (USMA ‘09) is the managing director and co-founder of risk3sixty, an information security advisory firm that helps companies build, manage, and certify their information security, privacy, and compliance programs. Christian always knew that he wanted to start a business and, although he had no background in information security, he was able to grow risk3sixty through successful team building and his willingness to learn the business from the ground up. In this episode, we discuss: The five core values that frame every aspect of risk3sixty’s business How risk3sixty’s success came from Christian and his partner’s willingness to fail and get back up The importance of having big, audacious goals The three lessons Christian learned from the Army and West Point that helped him grow his business Connect with Christian and the team at risk3sixty: Christian White risk3sixty risk3sixty on YouTube The Virtual CISO - risk3sixty’s podcast If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a frien

Tom Connally (USNA ’83) is the founder of Connally Consulting where he helps leaders and organizations improve their performance and success professionally, personally, spiritually, and physically.  He is also a graduate of Real Estate Accelerator class 2019-2.  In this episode, we discuss: Why Tom decided to join the Real Estate Accelerator after 5+ years into retirement Tom’s path to purchasing five properties in less than a year The tax savings strategy that Tom used to save over $20,000 in taxes Connect with Tom Connally: Tom on LinkedIn Connally 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 Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Tom Connally and Buddy Rushing for the amazing interview.

Jim Mulford (USAFA ’70) is the President and CEO at acQyr eXchange, the first public exchange to track and manage the digital assets you acquire online so you can redeem them for money.  Their initial market will be mobile and online gaming where gamers will be able to monitor, manage, and redeem their gaming rewards on the exchange with a mobile app. In this episode, we discuss: How their product supports the $2.7B gaming industry Their value proposition for gamers and game publishers How they can acquire users from the game publishers to grow their network Connect with Jim Mulford: Jim on LinkedIn acQyr eXchange 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 Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Jim

On today’s podcast, I am excited to launch the Traffic Circle at 10X Vets.  The 10X Vets program at SABM is for military veterans who want to grow their business to a 10X level through new learning, collaboration, and connections. The Traffic Circle is led by Jimmy Weeks, Air Force Veteran and founder of Internet Strategy Labs and Veteran Stats.  The Traffic Circle is for 10X Vets members who want to increase website traffic, improve website performance, and generate more leads.  In this episode, we discuss: The vision for the Traffic Circle and how it helps members grow their businesses Jimmy’s internet marketing experience and how he uses website analytics as a starting point for helping his clients optimize their marketing The Veteran Stats analytics platform which helps military veteran business owners understand their website analytics so they can make strategic marketing decisions Connect with Jimmy Weeks: Jimmy on LinkedIn Veteran Stats Join about 10X Vets: https://sabmgroup.com/10x/ If you found t

Shawn Ikpa (USNA ’05) is the Founder of Castletop Logistics, an Amazon Delivery Service Provider who has built his delivery team to 95 drivers in the Buffalo, NY market.  Shawn was also a member of the very first Real Estate Accelerator class when we launched the program in 2018. In this episode, Shawn shares his experience from the Real Estate Accelerator and how he has recently changed careers and is now a full-time business owner in partnership with Amazon. In this episode, we discuss: How his Amazon delivery business has grown to delivering 200,000 packages per month in less than a year What he enjoys about being an Amazon Deliver Service Partner How the Real Estate Accelerator shaped his mindset which allowed him to pursue a career in entrepreneurship How he is growing his real estate portfolio to build long term wealth for his family Connect with Shawn Ikpa: Shawn on LinkedIn If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and wan

Zach Peyton (USMA ‘04) is the Co-Founder of Superior Fence & Rail, the nation’s only fencing franchise.  Superior Fence & Rail currently has 19 locations across the country that fabricate and install fence products.  After graduating from West Point and serving as an Army intelligence officer, Zach was searching for his purpose in corporate America and a phone call from a West Point classmate led him to North Florida and his future in the home services industry.   In this episode, we discuss: The three pillars of Zach’s approach to business success How Zach applied the lessons he learned at West Point and as an Army officer to the operational side of his small business The advantages of joining a franchise model in small business ownership A job opportunity for the SABM community Connect with Zach: Zach Peyton Superior Fence & Rail Superior Fence & Rail Franchising If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want

Jimmy Vreeland (USMA '03) is the principal of Vreeland Capital and the Co-Founder of Cash Flow Tactics. After graduating from West Point where he played football for the Black Knights, Jimmy spent five years serving in the Army through three deployments with his last as a Captain with the Ranger Regiment.  He worked in medical sales for eight years following the Army before starting a turnkey real estate company that provides investment opportunities for members of Cash Flow Tactics, a business community that helps individuals achieve financial freedom in 10 years or less regardless of age, income, or experience. In this episode, Jimmy and I discuss: Their 4-step process that helps people achieve financial freedom in 10 years or less His personal goal to invest in 1000+ properties His favorite success stories from students in the Cash Flow Tactics community Connect with Jimmy Vreeland: Jimmy on Linkedin Cash Flow Tactics If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If yo

Jeff Zeunik (USMA ’95) is a B2B CFO® Partner who helps the owners of privately-held businesses reach their goals, both personal and business.  He provides consulting services on an as-needed long-term basis. This helps privately-held businesses benefit from a CFO, without the fully loaded cost of hiring a full-time employee. In this episode, we discuss: How he helps busy business owners improve their cash-flow The types of clients who benefit most from his services The most important lessons he learned in the Army that have helped him as a business owner Connect with Jeff: Jeff on LinkedIn B2B CFO 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 Jeff for joining me this