VET S.O.S. Presents Operation Startup

Your military mission may end—but your purpose doesn't. Here's how one veteran built a business that changes lives. EPISODE PREMISE Leaving the military teaches you discipline, leadership, and resilience—but it doesn't teach you how to build a company from scratch. In this conversation, Army and Navy veteran Rob and entrepreneur Mel share how personal adversity led them to create MELT...

Most veterans miss the biggest advantage they already earned. Mark explains how to use it to build a business. EPISODE PREMISE Many veterans assume the hardest part of entrepreneurship is coming up with a business idea. Mark Barlet argues the real challenge is learning how the civilian business world actually works—and using the unique advantages veterans already have. His journey from Air Force v...

Most veterans fear failure. Mike Caimona says the biggest mistake is never taking the risk. Leaving the military doesn't mean leaving your leadership behind—but it does mean learning how to adapt it. Former U.S. Navy officer and entrepreneur Mike Caimona shares why transitioning into the startup world required a completely different mindset, how he built organizations with purpose, and why the...

Your military career ends. Your identity doesn't—and that's where your next mission begins. EPISODE PREMISE Too many veterans believe their job title is their identity. Army and Navy veteran Francine Juhlin shares how retirement, arthritis, and uncertainty forced her to reinvent herself—and why those same lessons can help anyone facing a major life transition. Instead of chasing another go...

Most veterans can build a business. The hardest part isn't skill—it's taking the first step. EPISODE PREMISE Many veterans leave military service believing the safest path is government work or contracting. Kevin Capozzoli chose something different. After serving 25 years in the Army, he intentionally spent three years preparing to become an entrepreneur, building a roadmap that allowed hi...

The biggest mistake veterans make after leaving the military is waiting for the perfect plan. Episode Premise Retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Jason Garcia discovered that military transition doesn't come with a roadmap. Instead of chasing the biggest paycheck, he built Bull Squid Studios around service, creativity, and giving back. His story shows why purpose—not profit—can become the strongest...

Most VA loan denials aren't final. Jason Sharon explains why veterans hear "no"—and how to turn it into a "yes." Many veterans believe a denied VA loan means the end of the road. In this episode of Operation Startup , 20-year U.S. Navy veteran and mortgage broker Jason Sharon explains why that's often not true. Drawing on his experience as a former nuclear engineer and...

Military retirement isn't the hardest transition—losing your purpose is. Here's how to build your next mission. Many veterans spend decades following a clear mission, only to discover that the hardest part begins after the uniform comes off. Air Force veteran and executive coach Manny Piñeiro shares why purpose—not employment—is the key to a successful transition, and how one conversation...

Episode Description Thinking about leaving your job to start a business? The biggest obstacle isn't money—it's deciding to bet on yourself. Building a successful business isn't about having every answer before you start—it's about developing the confidence to take the first step. In this episode of VET S.O.S. Presents: Operation Startup , Air Force veteran and AI strategist Heather...

Leaving the military doesn't mean your leadership ends—it means you have to decide where to apply it next. In this episode of Operation Startup , retired Marine Corps veteran Jim Fuhs shares how he walked away from the security of government contracting, embraced entrepreneurship, and built a business around purpose, freedom, and continuous learning. Rather than chasing the next paycheck, Jim...

The biggest obstacle to entrepreneurship isn't money—it's believing you're capable of taking the leap. EPISODE PREMISE What happens when a lifetime of military leadership meets the uncertainty of entrepreneurship? Retired Navy Master Chief John Verrico shares how he navigated the fear of leaving a secure government career, why servant leadership translates directly into business succes...

Most entrepreneurs don't fail because of bad ideas—they fail because they build busy work instead of business systems. EPISODE PREMISE Success after military service isn't about working harder—it's about building smarter. Retired U.S. Army officer Antwon Person shares how extending his retirement, maximizing SkillBridge, and embracing entrepreneurship taught him that scalable businesse...

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...