VET S.O.S. Presents Operation Startup

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...

On this episode of the VET S.O.S. Network’s Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight , host Maurice Murphy welcomes Michael Dermer , founder of The Lonely Entrepreneur and creator of the Veteran Entrepreneur Initiative (VEI) . Michael shares how he went from a successful corporate lawyer in New York City to launching the first company that rewarded people for healthy behavior—then nearly lost everything dur...

On this episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight , host Maurice Murphy welcomes Brian Pultro , U.S. Navy Reserve Commander and co-owner of Pultro Financial Management , to share his powerful story of service, transition, and entrepreneurship. Brian opens up about the challenges of translating military experience into civilian success, the discipline it takes to build a business fro...

The VET S.O.S. Network’s Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight welcomes Kate Hufnagel , founder of Digital Wrangler . With a 25-year career in the intelligence community and big tech, Kate now channels her skills into helping families and small business owners organize critical digital information—from passwords and documents to legacy planning—ensuring continuity and peace of mind when it matters most....

On this episode of the Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight , part of the VET S.O.S. Network , host Maurice Murphy welcomes Jake Dyal , CEO and co-founder of Certis Core . Jake combines a distinguished military career with expertise in defense technology, building AI-driven solutions that are transforming how the Department of Defense uses robotics, data, and automation. Jake shares candid insights on:...

Guest: Jenna Griffith — military & first-responder spouse, author of Service & Soul , speaker, and workshop leader. Episode in a Sentence: Transition isn’t “back to normal”—it’s a whole new mission. Jenna shares how spouses can navigate identity shifts, heal past wounds, and rediscover purpose through community, faith, and practical tools. What We Cover Honest look at spouse-side transitio...

Army veteran Angeletha Long turned decades of logistics and operations into a thriving group-travel and retreat business. In this VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight, Angeletha explains how she plans “door-to-destination” experiences with military-grade precision—coordinating accessibility, dietary needs, and excursions that reinforce a team’s goals. She also opens up about the hardest parts...

In this powerful episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight , we welcome Rich Holley , a retired Navy air traffic controller turned financial literacy advocate. Rich is the creator of The Adventures of Buck Dollar —a children's book series and animated educational tool designed to teach kids how to save, invest, and build wealth from an early age. Rich shares his personal journey...

In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight , we speak with Nicole (Pompei) Zettlemoyer—Marine and Air Force veteran, mom, and founder of Wreaths by Nicole P . What began as a creative way to repurpose an old uniform became a viral business now featured on major platforms like Fox News and CBS. Nicole discusses her dual-military transition, the inspiration behind her first wre...

In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight , host Maurice Murphy sits down with retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Jason West, founder of Officers Eat Last . Jason opens up about his transition journey, the unpredictability of entrepreneurship, and the life-changing impact of servant leadership. Discover how he turned setbacks into strategy and how his consulting firm no...

Renea Jones-Hudson, U.S. Army veteran and founder of Beyond the Uniform , joins the Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight to share her story of purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Discover how Renea transformed her military transition into a mission to help women veterans rediscover their voice, reframe their identity, and reintegrate with power and purpose. From personal training to leadership coaching, Re...

U.S. Army veteran Sepi Browning joins Maurice Murphy on the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight to share her journey from military medic to founder of Brighthour HIT Consulting Corporation , a veteran-owned healthcare IT consulting firm. Sepi explains how her military service shaped her entrepreneurial mindset, the challenges she faced entering the civilian workforce, and how she’s now leadi...

Career counselor and veteran advocate Leora Opstelten joins host Maurice Murphy for a powerful conversation on navigating military transition through career clarity and purpose. Leora discusses building her remote business, the emotional impact of her late husband’s transition, and how she helps veterans translate military experience into fulfilling civilian careers. Hear how Career Counseling by...

Join Maurice Murphy on the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight as he interviews Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz, a Marine Corps veteran and founder of Strategic Safety and Security Group. From CPR and AED training to large-scale school safety solutions, Dr. Schwartz brings his military and law enforcement experience to the civilian world—empowering others to do the same. This episode covers: The lesson...