VET S.O.S. Presents Operation Startup

🎙️ From Army Sergeant Major to Entrepreneurial Mentor – Veteran Business Success Don’t drown in the sea of transition—grab the VET S.O.S. lifeline! In this episode, we welcome Reginald "Reggie" Thompson , Director of the Georgia Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) and a retired Sergeant Major with 32 years of active duty service. Reggie shares his military-to-business journey , highlighting F...

From Marine to Mission: Matt Darrah’s Fight for Foster Kids When Matt Darrah transitioned from the Marine Corps to civilian life, he never expected to find his next mission in foster care advocacy . But after fostering children himself, he saw firsthand how many kids enter the system with nothing. That realization led him to create Panhandle Orphan Care Network (POCN) —a nonprofit serving 26 Texas...

🚀 From Air Force K9 Handler to Entrepreneurial Success! In this episode of VET S.O.S. , we welcome Michael Parks , a veteran entrepreneur and the Owner & CEO of Daystar Photography LLC . Michael’s journey is one of transformation—from serving as an Air Force K9 handler and Air Marshal to becoming a leading professional photographer, videographer, and drone expert , working with top organizati...

In this episode of the Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight , we welcome Adam Gaskill , founder of Innovate for Humanity and The Nonprofit Creators . Adam is a visionary leader, expert in contribution marketing, and a master in nonprofit development. With a passion for helping veterans and a proven track record of launching over 80 nonprofits , Adam shares his journey, insights, and strategies for makin...

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Elder , a U.S. Air Force veteran, expert networker, and the founder & president of Clear Path Wealth Strategies . With over two decades of experience in financial services and professional networking, Mark is passionate about helping veterans and professionals transition successfully into the business world. 🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ Mark’s...

Join us as we welcome Sam Westfall —Army veteran, serial entrepreneur , and competitive archer —to discuss his journey from military service to building multiple businesses. Sam shares how archery became a powerful tool for therapy, empowerment, and connection , particularly within the military and veteran communities. 🏹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ How Sam overcame military transition s...

In this episode of VET S.O.S. , we welcome Brunella Costagliola , a bestselling ghostwriter, award-winning author, journalist, and translator with over a decade of experience in publishing. She is the founder of The Military Editor Agency , a boutique agency that helps veterans, military spouses, and service members navigate the publishing world and share their powerful stories. Brunella opens up...

Welcome to VET S.O.S., where we shine a spotlight on veteran entrepreneurs making a difference. In this gripping episode, we’re joined by the extraordinary Bryan Stern, Chairman and Founder of Grey Bull Rescue, a decorated U.S. Army and Navy combat veteran, 9/11 first responder, and Purple Heart recipient. Bryan's story is nothing short of incredible. As a former intelligence officer with deca...

Welcome back to the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight! In this powerful episode, we’re honored to feature Jeremiah Hardy, a seasoned leadership coach, resilience advocate, veteran supporter, and founder of Victory Leadership Coaching. With 18 years of leadership experience, Jeremiah has dedicated his post-military career to empowering leaders to thrive through empathy, effective communicat...

Welcome back to the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight! In this episode, we're honored to sit down with Paula Sanchez, CEO and founder of Sankirtz Marketing & Consulting Services. Paula is a proud veteran of the Air Force and Army National Guard, holding a master's degree in nursing informatics. Her company is an independent health IT consulting agency that specializes in interoperabili...

Welcome back to the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight—the lifeline for transitioning service members and veteran entrepreneurs! In this powerful episode, host Shawn Welsh sits down with Daniel O'Dell, a disabled Army veteran, motivational speaker, social media influencer, and the founder of MotiveFate, LLC. Daniel’s story is one of resilience, determination, and purpose. Born into poverty...

In Stories of Service, Theresa Carpenter—a dedicated Navy Commander with 28 years of service—shines a light on the lives of ordinary people making extraordinary impacts in their communities. As a seasoned leader, storyteller, and public relations professional, Theresa uses her platform to explore diverse narratives of courage, resilience, and service. Each episode takes listeners on a journey thro...

In this compelling episode of the VET S.O.S. Entrepreneurial Spotlight, Shawn Welsh welcomes David Daly, a Marine Corps veteran and trailblazer in the drone industry. David shares his remarkable story of transitioning from military service to entrepreneurship, illustrating the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way. David reflects on his four tours in Iraq and his struggle to adju...

In this episode of the Vet SOS Podcast , Shawn Welsh sits down with Don Gleason, a leader with over four decades of experience spanning military service, corporate leadership, and entrepreneurship. Don shares his inspiring journey from a 27-year military career to his role in environmental leadership at Booz Allen Hamilton, and eventually, the launch of his own company, Achieve New Heights LLC . D...

In this compelling episode of VET S.O.S. , host Shawn Welsh welcomes Nina Pinidi , a remarkable Navy veteran, breast cancer warrior, and founder of Solime Royal Hair . After serving 17 years in the U.S. Navy and facing an abrupt medical retirement in 2022, Nina transformed her personal and professional challenges into an entrepreneurial mission: creating safe, chemical-free hair care products tail...

In this powerful episode of the Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight (VES) , we sit down with Dan Singer , owner of Phase Line Business Coaching and a proud Marine Corps Reservist turned entrepreneur. Dan takes us through his incredible transition from military service to business leadership, where he scaled a company’s revenue from $14 million to $20 million using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (...

In this powerful episode of the Veterans Entrepreneur Series (VES), Shawn Welsh sits down with John Kerkhoff, a decorated military veteran with over 20 years of service and the visionary founder of Frago 22. John shares the pivotal moments of his transition from military service to civilian life, emphasizing both the opportunities and challenges he faced. His story is one of perseverance, adaptabi...

In this episode, Army veteran and entrepreneur Paden Sickles shares her incredible journey from military service to launching Sick Fit, a woman-veteran, minority-owned sock company that combines cutting-edge technology and thoughtful design. Paden opens up about her personal and professional experiences, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and her passion for empowering others. Key H...

In this inspiring episode, Shawn Welsh welcomes Natalie Hall, Economic Development Specialist and Veteran Business Development Officer for the US Small Business Administration's (SBA) North Florida district office. Natalie dives deep into the wealth of resources available to veterans and military spouses transitioning into entrepreneurship. She highlights transformative programs like "Boots to Bus...

In this episode of VES, we sit down with Peter Cline, the founder of Boots to Books, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting military members and their families through education, upskilling, career resources, and employment opportunities. Peter shares his compelling journey from serving in the Army to navigating the challenges of transitioning into the civilian workforce, ultimately leading...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Shawn Welsh sits down with Kala Rachal, a former US Army combat veteran, public health practitioner, and now the founder of Ore Ra Wellness Studio. Kala shares her transformative journey from serving on the front lines in Afghanistan to becoming a leader in holistic health, driven by her passion for empowering individuals and strengthening her Louisiana com...

In this inspiring episode of the Vet SOS Podcast, we sit down with Julia Ruddock, founder of Hayati Coaching and Consulting, to explore her remarkable journey from military service to entrepreneurship. Julia opens up about her transition, starting with her leadership development program at Citigroup, which helped her navigate the corporate world and prepared her for impactful roles at Salesforce,...

In this compelling episode of the VET S.O.S. Podcast, host Shawn Welsh sits down with Enrique Acosta Gonzalez, a 26-year Navy veteran and the visionary founder of Triad Leadership Solutions, LLC. Enrique reflects on his remarkable journey from military service to becoming a leader in entrepreneurship, offering deep insights into his transition, challenges, and the lessons learned along the way. En...

In this episode, we sit down with Cat Corchado, an Air Force veteran and the dynamic founder of Small Space Pilates, to explore her transformative journey from military service to entrepreneurship. Cat shares candid insights about the emotional challenges of leaving a structured military career and how she turned those experiences into the foundation for a meaningful new chapter. Cat’s story highl...

In this compelling episode of the VES Podcast, host Shawn Welsh welcomes Bianca Bevins, a 13-year Navy veteran who has successfully transitioned from military life to entrepreneurship. Bianca shares her inspiring journey of founding Mothers Rise Collective, LLC, a unique business that provides postpartum concierge services and perinatal life transition coaching, specifically tailored to support mi...