Milprenuer Podcast

Meet Martin Engster, Marine Corps veteran, son of a Navy legacy, and the driving force behind Centerline. Ever wondered how a military mindset turns into a thriving family-run business? Or how a small company navigates challenges, pivots during tough times, and still keeps a strong culture? Martin’s story gives you a front-row seat to all of it. 💥 Dropping soon! Catch up on past episodes and get...

In this powerful episode of the Milpreneur Podcast, host Ryan Van Ornum sits down with USMC veteran Matthew Askren and tech savant Raiz Abdul, co-founders of Mindful Me Care. Together, they discuss their groundbreaking mission to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to combat the mental health crisis facing the military and first responder communities. By combining combat-tested resilience with c...

Meet Trinidad Aguirre, a Gulf War Navy veteran turned advocate for fellow veterans. After facing the challenges of navigating the VA system, he founded VetsForever, a mission-driven organization that has recovered over $5 million in benefits for veterans. With a team that's 90% veterans, VetsForever is redefining what it means to serve those who served. Dropping soon! Catch up on past episodes...

In this episode of the Milpreneur Podcast, host Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Trinidad Aguirre, the founder of VetsForever, a VA-accredited law group dedicated to helping veterans navigate the complex disability claim process. As a Navy veteran himself, Trinidad understands the jarring shift from active duty "warfighter" to civilian life, where the support systems often disappear overnig...

In this powerful episode of the Milpreneur Podcast, host Ryan VanOrnum sits down with Quatrell Walker, a U.S. Army Veteran whose journey took him from the ceremonial prestige of The Old Guard to the combat zones of Iraq. After surviving an IED attack that shifted his perspective on life and service, Quatrell transitioned from being a soldier to a thriving entrepreneur in the automotive detailing i...

Meet Quatrell Walker, an entrepreneur who’s passionate about helping others unlock their potential and rise with purpose. In this episode of the Milprenuer podcast, Quatrell shares powerful insights on leadership, faith, and the mindset shifts that drive lasting successboth in business and in life. 🎧 Tune in to this episode. #QuatrellWalker #MilpreneurPodcast #Leadership #MindsetMatters #Motivati...

In this episode of the Milpreneur Podcast, host Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Aaron Barnes, a U.S. Army veteran turned manufacturing entrepreneur. Aaron shares his transition from handling tactical satellite communications and geospatial imagery in combat zones like Afghanistan and Syria to founding Compact Care. This episode explores how a lack of basic resources in austere environments inspired...

A U.S. Army veteran and founder of Compact Care, Aaron Barnes transforms the lessons of war into innovative products that restore dignity and convenience in the toughest environments. In this episode of the Milprenuer, Aaron reveals the untold moments that shaped his journey. 🚨 Dropping soon. You won’t want to miss a second. 🚨 Catch up on past episodes and get ready for a conversation that will...

In this episode of the Milpreneur Podcast, host Ryan Van Horn sits down with DJ Jarvis, a former Air Force officer whose career spanned from refueling jets at 30,000 feet to piloting MQ-9 Reapers. Now the founder of OO Venture Group, DJ shares how he leveraged his time in service to become a successful real estate investor and business acquirer. This conversation explores the intersection of milit...

This week on the Milpreneur Podcast, we’re joined by DJ Jarvis, a veteran and visionary leader who’s turned service-driven values into powerful business results. From mission mindset to modern leadership, DJ Jarvis shares how the principles that guide soldiers can also guide CEOs, and why resilience, structure, and heart are the ultimate force multipliers in business. 🎧 Full episode drops soon, b...

In this powerful episode of the Milpreneur Podcast, host Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Dr. JayR McIntyre, a combat veteran of the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division and a Bronze Star recipient. Known today as "The Hood Motivator," Dr. McIntyre shares his harrowing and inspiring journey from the streets of Long Beach and the battlefields of Iraq to becoming a top-ranked motivational sp...

Who’s our next guest? He went from gang life and jail in Long Beach to serving 55 months in combat with the legendary Big Red One. A Bronze Star recipient who faced the battlefield abroad and the battles within, he turned his pain into purpose, becoming The Hood Motivator, a voice for veterans, leaders, and entrepreneurs around the world. In this episode, JR McIntyre shares his powerful journey of...

Host Ryan Van Horn sits down with Wes Schaeffer, known globally as "The Sales Whisperer," for a candid conversation about the intersection of military discipline and high-stakes entrepreneurship. An Air Force Academy graduate and veteran who served in combat communications during Operation Enduring Freedom, Wes shares how he transitioned from the gridiron and the battlefield into becomin...

What does it take to turn military discipline into 28 years of sales mastery and 19 years of coaching entrepreneurs? On the next episode of the Millpreneur Podcast, Wes Schaeffer, aka The Sales Whisperer, shares how he went from Air Force veteran to top sales strategist and keynote speaker, helping businesses grow smarter, faster, and more human. His journey is bold, inspiring, and packed with les...

In this episode of the Milpreneur Podcast, host Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Spencer Verhines, an Air Force veteran who transitioned from a career in Security Police guarding nuclear missile fields to becoming the founder of American Classic Coffee. Spencer opens up about his journey from a "dreamer" with a "ready, shoot, aim" mentality to a disciplined business owner who lear...

What does it take to go from guarding nukes in the Air Force, to roasting specialty coffee in your garage? On the next episode of the Milprenuer Podcast, Spencer Verhines shares how he went from veteran to founder of American Classic Coffee, building a family-run business one roast, one lesson, and one big leap at a time. His journey is gritty, inspiring, and full of hard-earned wisdom about resil...

In this episode of the Milpreneur Podcast, host Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Donta Henson, a U.S. Navy veteran and the visionary CEO behind Los Hermanos Tequila. Donta shares his incredible journey from serving in Japan to launching an award-winning spirits brand during the height of the 2020 pandemic. This conversation explores how a veteran entrepreneur utilized military precision to disrupt a...

What does it take to turn a tequila tasting at home into a nationwide brand? 🍹 On the next episode of the Milprenuer Podcast, Donta Henson shares how he went from Navy veteran to co-founder of Los Hermanos Tequila, now in over 230 locations with 44 awards. His journey is bold, inspiring, and packed with lessons on action, resilience, and building something bigger than yourself. "If other peo...

In this episode of the Milpreneur Podcast, host Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Russell Burgess, a 21-year Air Force veteran who successfully transitioned from aircraft maintenance to high-level management consulting. Now the founder of REJ Solutions, Russell shares how he leveraged his military background and Lean Six Sigma certification to build a thriving career in the infrastructure and engineer...

Transitioning out of the military isn’t as straightforward as it seems, just ask our next guest. In this sneak peek of the Milprenuer Podcast, Russell Burgess opens up about the challenges of moving from military life to the civilian world. From navigating TAP classes to realizing the priceless value of dependability, responsibility, and dedication, he shares how the skills learned in service beca...

In this episode of the Milpreneur Podcast, host Ryan Van Omum sits down with Nathan Wheeler, a U.S. Army veteran who served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and 10th Special Forces Group before pivoting into the world of financial services. They discuss the often-difficult journey from military service to becoming a successful entrepreneur, highlighting the critical role of systems and discipline i...

What happens when a soldier trades the battlefield for civilian life? The answer might surprise you. 👀 On the next episode of the Milprenuer Podcast, Nathan Wheeler opens up about life after the military in “What Happened When Nathan Wheeler Left the Military Could Shock You.” His story is raw, real, and filled with lessons on resilience, purpose, and transformation. Dropping this week, don’t mis...

In this episode of the Milpreneur Podcast, host Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Trisha Stetzel, a U.S. Navy Veteran and dynamic business leadership coach. Trisha shares her fascinating journey from fixing fiber optics as a Cryptologic Technician Maintenance (CTM) in the 1990s to guiding female veteran entrepreneurs toward sustainable growth. They discuss the vital transition from military service to...

What if the same skills that helped you thrive in the military could also be the key to building a powerful business and legacy? 👀 That’s the journey of Trisha Stetzel, Navy veteran, leadership mentor, and entrepreneur who turned service into strategy. But how did she do it? And what unexpected lessons shaped her path from the Navy to the boardroom? This is one story you won’t want to miss. While...

In this episode of the Milpreneur Podcast, host Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Troy MacDonald, a retired Marine Corps Major and founder of the Opulent Group. Troy shares his incredible journey of joining the Marines right before 9/11, serving 20 years, and simultaneously launching a high-growth real estate business during his final years of active duty. They discuss how the core military values of...