VET S.O.S. Presents Operation Startup

Most entrepreneurs wait for the right moment. Dr. Andrena Phillips started her business when she was unemployed, facing eviction, and watching everything fall apart. Episode Premise What do you do when the lights are off, your vehicle has been repossessed, and an eviction notice is staring you in the face? For Dr. Andrena Phillips, the answer wasn't giving up—it was betting on herself. In this epi...

Most veterans don't fail because they're unqualified—they fail because they wait too long to start. EPISODE PREMISE Mr. Whiskey didn't set out to become an entrepreneur. A Navy career, a difficult civilian work environment, and a growing desire to make a greater impact eventually pushed him toward building something of his own. In this conversation, he explains why purpose matters more...

Description: Natalie Schibell joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into military transition strategy and veteran career development. A former Navy Lieutenant Commander turned founder, she shares how pivoting multiple times shaped her path into entrepreneurship and national veteran advocacy. In this episode, we explore: • Why transition planning must start early• How the Reserve Component can provi...

Description: Chris McKeithen joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into military transition, entrepreneurship, and cybersecurity innovation. In this episode, we explore how Chris went from an unexpected separation from the Army to building AEGIS Cyber Defense—a platform helping businesses identify vulnerabilities before cyber attackers strike. In this episode, we explore:• Lessons from transitionin...

Description: Brent Bowers joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into land investing and building passive income while transitioning out of the military. In this episode, we explore: • Creating a 3-year exit strategy from military service • Building income through vacant land investing • Scaling into manufactured housing for higher returns Whether you're navigating military transition, building...

Description: David Howe joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into strategic life planning and share insights on military transition, entrepreneurship, and leadership. In this episode, we explore: • Why veterans must move beyond tactical transition steps and build a long-term life strategy • How mentorship and preparation create smoother transitions into civilian careers • Lessons from entrepreneur...

Description: Isabel Garcia Schmitt joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into military spouse entrepreneurship, PCS relocation challenges, and building businesses that create real community impact. In this episode, we explore: • Transitioning from military service into entrepreneurship• Creating purpose-driven businesses that serve others• Overcoming burnout and leadership challenges• Leveraging ve...

Description: David Fivecoat joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into the realities of transitioning from military service into entrepreneurship and share insights on leadership, risk tolerance, and building a business from scratch. In this episode, we explore: • Key transition lessons every service member should know • The importance of financial preparation and planning ahead • How military lead...

Description: Douglas Katz joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into entrepreneurship through adaptive innovation and share insights on military transition, identity, and building meaningful businesses. In this episode, we explore: • The biggest mistakes veterans make during transition• How the Ability Curve redefines disability and opportunity• Why building the right team is critical to entreprene...

Description: Tina Erwin joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into the journey from military leadership to entrepreneurship , sharing lessons from her career as a U.S. Navy Commander in the submarine force and how those experiences shaped her life after service. After retiring from the Navy, Tina launched a tech company before ultimately discovering a deeper mission helping people navigate complex...

Description: Randy McElwee joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into how military leadership principles directly fuel entrepreneurial success. As a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Master Sergeant and founder of multiple businesses, Randy shares how persistence, resilience, and perspective guided his transition from combat operations to business ownership. In this episode, we explore: • Why discip...

Description: John Renken joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into military transition, veteran entrepreneurship, and how Sales Platoon is helping service members convert leadership experience into high-income sales careers In this episode, we explore: • Why most military resumes miss the mark • The importance of backward planning your transition from Day One • How entrepreneurship offers freedom...

Description: Cary Sparrow joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into military transition, startup leadership, and building a tech company from the ground up. After serving as a U.S. Navy submarine officer and spending 14 years in global consulting, Cary launched Wagescape — a real-time labor market intelligence platform used by major global organizations. In this episode, we explore: • The critical...

Description: DeAndre Nixon joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into what it truly takes to build a business after military service and why vision and mindset determine long-term success. After leaving the Navy, DeAndre started with just $2,000, nearly faced homelessness, and built two companies without loans or lines of credit. Today, he mentors and consults veteran entrepreneurs nationwide. In t...

Bill Boyle joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into veteran entrepreneurship, disciplined transition planning, and building long-term financial stability without rushing into risk. In this episode, we explore: The hidden challenges of military-to-civilian transition Why keeping a job while building a business can be the smartest move Creating passive income through real estate and drone services...

Wilson Bautista Jr., U.S. Marine Corps veteran and founder of Jun Cyber, joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into military transition, entrepreneurship, and building a scalable cybersecurity business. In this episode, we explore:• The reality of transitioning from military to civilian life• Why entrepreneurship appealed more than corporate or contracting work• Building recurring revenue and scala...

Marine Corps veteran and entrepreneur Eknauth Persaud joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into entrepreneurship after military service and the leadership principles that drive sustainable business growth. In this episode of VET S.O.S. Presents Operation Startup , Eknauth shares how becoming an accidental entrepreneur reshaped his mindset, why culture matters more than code, and how RentMySoftware...

Charlie Garcia joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into military transition and veteran entrepreneurship, sharing insights on leadership, resilience, and scaling successful businesses after service. In this episode, we explore:• Why rank doesn’t matter in civilian life—and what replaces it• How veterans can translate military intelligence and leadership into business success• The importance of me...

Gene Moran joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into the realities of military-to-civilian transition, the leap into entrepreneurship, and how veterans can thrive in high-stakes industries . He shares powerful insights on finding the right post-service fit, investing in yourself, building a profitable business, and navigating the GovCon and federal budget landscape with confidence . In this episod...

Nikki Allmann joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into how fitness, community, and resilience can transform the lives of veterans and first responders , and she shares powerful insights on mental health, purpose-driven entrepreneurship, and building a nonprofit from the ground up . In this episode, we explore: • How Nikki rebuilt her identity after a traumatic transition from the military • Why s...

Jay Sperry joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into the realities of veteran entrepreneurship and share insights on transition, leadership, franchise ownership, and building a resilient business mindset . In this episode, we explore: • The power of veteran-to-veteran support during transition • How mission planning and communication skills sharpen entrepreneurial success • Why embracing the highs...

In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Network’s Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight , Maurice Murphy welcomes Adam Bird , military veteran, founder of Heroes Media Group , and multi-industry entrepreneur. Adam shares his brutally honest transition story—one shaped by anger, uncertainty, and a complete lack of guidance—and how that turbulence became the fuel for everything he built afterward. Listeners will...

In this powerful episode of the VET S.O.S. Network’s Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight , host Maurice Murphy welcomes Miguel D. Echols —a Marine Corps veteran, international leadership consultant, and certified coach —to share his inspiring journey from service member to global leadership strategist. Miguel reveals how mentorship, faith, and adaptability shaped his entrepreneurial path and why focusi...

In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight , host Maurice Murphy sits down with Monica Fullerton , Air Force spouse, twin mom, and founder of Spouse-ly , to explore how she turned her challenges as a military spouse into a thriving business that empowers others. From her corporate beginnings to becoming a Forbes Next 1000 entrepreneur, Monica discusses how planning, family, a...

On this episode of the VET S.O.S. Network’s Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight , host Maurice Murphy talks with Dr. Brenda Pridgen , retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class and founder of Authentic Mind LLC . Dr. Pridgen shares how her post-service journey evolved from uncertainty to empowerment as she built a purpose-driven business centered on mental-health awareness and authentic healing. From her e...