DogTags to Ownership

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of DogTags to Ownership , we sit down with Alex Milner and J.R. Arce , founders of Waza Media , to explore their journey from serving as Public Affairs Officers in the military to becoming the driving force behind one of the most data-driven marketing agencies in the game. Alex and J.R. share how their time in uniform shaped their leadership and communication skill...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dog Tags to Ownership , hosts Matt Cain and Julie Austin recap episodes 39 to 41, highlighting the journeys of veterans who transitioned from military service to entrepreneurship. They discuss the insights shared by guests Greg Povenski, Eva Fulton, and Jeff McCabe, focusing on themes of leadership, resilience, and the importance of community support in navigati...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Matt and Julie sit down with Jeff McCabe - U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Navy Pilot, and owner of BWQOHT, INC. Jeff shares how the precision, pressure, and purpose of military aviation shaped his path into entrepreneurship.  From leadingin the skies to building a business on the ground, Jeff breaks down the mindset, mistakes, and mission focus that fuel his success....

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of DogTags to Ownership, Julie and Matt sit down with Eva Fulton - U.S. Army Desert Storm Veteran, entrepreneur, author, filmmaker, songwriter, and podcast host. Eva shares how her military experience shaped her resilience and creativity, and how she now uses her voice to uplift and connect others through storytelling. From building businesses to creating...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Gregory Povenski, a US Army Special Forces veteran, shares his journey from military service to entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA). He discusses his military background, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and the importance of education in his career. Gregory emphasizes the value of military experience in business, particularly in leade...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 38 of DogTags to Ownership, Julie and Matt sit down to recap the powerful lessons shared in Episodes 35–37. From Gerry of RedBeard Solutions and his blueprint for building a “Destination Employer,” to Dan Clare of Disabled American Veterans highlighting resources and opportunities for veterans, to Leroy Brown’s inspiring journey from Marine to therapeutic artist—this re...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of DogTags to Ownership, we sit down with retired U.S. Marine Leroy Brown, the creative force behind Leroy Brown Art. Leroy shares how he leveraged his military benefits to earn a degree in entrepreneurship and how he transformed his love of painting into both a passion and a business. From the discipline of the Corps to the freedom of the canvas, Leroy opens up ab...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Dan Clare, Chief Communications and Outreach Officer for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), discusses the organization's history, mission, and the various services it provides to veterans. He shares insights into the Patriot Boot Camp, a program designed to support veteran entrepreneurs, and highlights the importance of community and mentorship in hel...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in Episode 35 for an inspiring and strategic conversation with Gerry Gadoury, a former U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant and Signals Intelligence Operator turned recruitment expert and founder of RedBeard Solutions. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience in recruitment, management consulting, leadership, and entrepreneurship—and informed by success scaling startups like Ap...

Send us Fan Mail In this special recap episode, Julie and Matt sit down to revisit the last three powerful conversations:     •    Ep 31 – Brent Bowers, The Landshark 🦈: breaking down how land investing can create freedom and opportunity.     •    Ep 32 – Larry Wilson, Deep Blue Dive Therapy 🌊: exploring innovative therapies and the lessons of resilience from the ocean.     •    Ep 33 – Chris Wa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Chris Wallingford, a U.S. Army veteran and owner of Metafora Group, shares his journey from military service to entrepreneurship. He discusses the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, the establishment of his staffing company, and the importance of mentorship and core values in business. Chris also highlights the role of the American Legion in supporting...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode, Marine Corps veteran Larry Wilson — founder and CEO of Deep Blue Dive Therapy , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD through therapeutic scuba diving — joins us to share the depths of his mission. As a decorated veteran turned mental health advocate, Larry reveals how underwater immersion can tran...

Send us Fan Mail This week on  DogTags to Ownership , Matt and Julie sit down with Brent Bowers - a former Army officer turned real estate investor and land flipping expert. Brent shares how he transitioned from active duty to full-time entrepreneur, building  The Land Sharks coaching business and amassing passive income through strategic land deals.  Tune in as Brent reveals how military discipli...

Send us Fan Mail In this special milestone episode of DogTags to Ownership , Matt and Julie hit pause to reflect on the journey so far. They recap the inspiring stories and lessons from Episodes 27-29, featuring Wesley Hutchinson of Whiskey Run Customs, Sean Loosen of PDS Optical, and Christopher McKinney of OpSynergy.  From handcrafted woodwork to vision care for veterans to mastering the PMP, th...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 29 of DogTags to Ownership , Matt and Julie sit down with Christopher Mckinney - Retired U.S. Army Veteran and Founder of OpSynergy - to dive into his powerful journey from the frontlines to founding his own business. Christopher shares how the core principles of project management, strategic certification, and strong mentorship helped shaped his path to entrepreneurshi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of DogTags to Ownership, we sit down with Sean Loosen, a U.S. Army veteran and West Point graduate who took the lessons of leadership, discipline, and grit from the infantry field to the forefront of the optical industry. As the Owner and CEO of PDS Optical, Sean shares how his military background shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, the challenges of scaling a spec...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Wesley Hutchinson shares his inspiring journey from being a United States Marine Corps veteran to becoming a successful entrepreneur with his business, Whiskey Run Customs. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from military life to civilian life, the importance of community support, and the growth of his woodworking business. Wesley emphasizes the signific...

Send us Fan Mail In this special recap episode, Julie and Matt connect the dots across Episodes 23 to 25, highlighting how each guest embodies the power of transforming service into impact. From Leroy Roberts, Founder & CEO of Team Worth Solutions, to Kimberly Jung, CEO of Blanchard House, and Patrick Flood, Founder & CEO of Owners in Honor of — these veterans are leading with purpose, bui...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of DogTags to Ownership, hosts Julie and Matt sit down with U.S. Army veteran and the visionary Founder and CEO of Owners in Honor. Patrick shares his remarkable journey from serving in the Army Reserves to answering the call to active duty after 9/11—and how those formative experiences ignited his passion for service beyond the uniform. Now, through Owners in Hono...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 24 of DogTags to Ownership, Julie and Matt sit down with the incredible Kimberly Jung — West Point graduate, Army veteran, Harvard Business School alum, and serial entrepreneur. Kimberly shares her remarkable journey from leading convoys in Afghanistan to co-founding Rumi Spice, a company that empowers Afghan farmers and women by bringing premium saffron to the global m...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 23 of DogTags to Ownership, hosts Matt and Julie welcome Leroy Roberts—a dynamic veteran, leadership strategist, coach, author, and non-executive director. With nearly two decades of service spanning the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the British Army, Leroy brings a unique global perspective  Leroy dives into: His transition from disciplined military service to becomin...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful recap episode, Julie and Matt reflect on three incredible conversations that brought heart, grit, and strategy to the forefront of veteran transition. They revisit: Episode 19 with Barrett Bogue of Evocati PR Episode 20 with Jerry Arteaga of Valor Exterior Partners Episode 21 with Joshua Cantrell of MVMT Financial Julie and Matt go deeper on two themes that connec...

Send us Fan Mail In this compelling episode, we sit down with Joshua Cantrell, a retired U.S. Army veteran and the founder of MVMT Financial. With over two decades of military service, Joshua brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the unique financial challenges faced by veterans and their families. Joshua shares his journey from military life to entrepreneurship, highlighting h...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of DogTags to Ownership, we sit down with retired Special Forces Sergeant Major Jerry Arteaga, now CEO of Valor Exterior Partners and board member of Owners in Honor. Jerry shares his journey from leading elite teams in combat to leading crews in construction, showing how the values forged in service—discipline, grit, and honor—translate directly into entr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of  DogTags to Ownership , we sit down with Barrett Bogue, former Marine and founder of  Evocati PR -- a public relations firm on a mission. Barrett shares how his military background inspired him to build a communications agency that goes beyond the bottom line, offering cost-efficient strategies to activate and inspire underserved communities. From veteran advoca...