Podcast
Boots About Business
Hosted by Frank Strong · EN
Support for our military veterans has never been higher than it is today. Many businesses have an interest in employing veterans, but they don’t know how to connect, and they don’t really understand the skills veterans can bring to their business. Something similar can be said about veterans in transition and their understanding of the business world.
Hi, I’m Frank Strong, I’m a veteran, I’ve worked in businesses of all sizes, small-, medium and large, today I’m a business owner and now, I’m hosting a podcast called “Boots about Business.”
We interview business leaders, executives and entrepreneurs that all started their careers wearing boots in service of the US armed forces. This podcast will be equal parts about sharing great stories, helping veterans, helping businesses and ultimately helping them both understand each other.
The show is available wherever you get your podcasts. Keep an eye on the show’s website for show notes and links resources discussed on the show.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 30: Veterans Have an Employment Edge With or Without a College; Jason Marchant of FineTune
Jun 16, 202100:30:43Tap to summarizeJason Marchant won’t tell you to not get a degree, but he will tell you don’t let not having one prevent you from applying for a job. That’s how he did it. And in a couple years, he went from a veteran in transition, and wondering what he’d do with his life, to having a career in sales and business card with the title of “president” of a franchise. Today he leads a sales team for a company called Fine Tune. When he hires, he doesn’t require a college degree. Instead, he looks for people willing to put in the effort, and he’ll train them on the skills needed. Jason is a former Marine that later served in the Army Reserve and deployed to Afganistan (there’s a lot of former Marines in the Army Guard and Reserve). On this episode, he shares how he wound up with a career in sales. Show links: Connect with Jason on LinkedIn Jason’s employer Fine Tune Sales books Jason recommends for professional development: 1) Fanatical Prospecting by Jeb Blount 2) The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes 3) The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson _
Transcribe →Episode 29: One Step Back to Go Many Steps Forward; Army Veteran Starr Corbin of Diligent Robotics on Building a Career in Tech
Jun 2, 202100:33:49Tap to summarizeAfter leaving the Army Starr Corbin took a job for which she felt she was overqualified. But she took it anyway and excelled. In few years, she was running the shop that eventually led opportunities with companies like CapGemini, iHeartRadio, and eventually her own consulting company. Today she leads the software team for a robotics startup in Austin, TX. On this episode she describes how she made a career out of tech – and how she still relies the principles of project management and “servant leadership” she learned in the Army. Links from the show: Starr Corbin on LinkedIn Starr’s employer Starr’s consulting business
Transcribe →Episode 28: This Army Vet Applied to 400 Jobs with Zero Callbacks, but Here’s How He Finally Landed His Dream Job; Chuck Kluball, Military Relations for Home Depot
May 19, 202100:39:32Tap to summarizeAfter Chuck Kluball transitioned out of the Army, he spent months applying for jobs and sending out resumes. In fact, he says he submitted about 400 applications and received no responses. Zero. Home Depot was at the top of his most wanted list and he sent some 40 applications to positions there and had the same result: No call backs. No interviews. And no job offers. Still, he preserved, and he obviously is working for Home Depot today. On this podcast he explains what the experience taught him, how he finally landed a job, and shares advice he has for veterans seeking jobs in business. Links discussed on the show: Chuck Kluball on LinkedIn Home Depot Military careers Vetlanta and Vetlanta on LinkedIn DoD Skillbridge LinkedIn Group: DoD Skillbridge Community of Practice
Transcribe →Episode 27: This Veteran Started a Landscaping Business with Work Ethic and Organizational Skills Acquired in the Army; Michael Winters of ThirtySeasons LLC
May 5, 202100:23:45Tap to summarizeMany of the lessons Michael Winters applies to his small business, he learned in the Army. He and a buddy started researching what it take to open a landscaping business while he was still wearing the uniform. In fact, they started mowing lawns part-time, in off duty hours, to get things going. It wasn’t easy, but then Mike says a lot of the things that helped him to be successful with a small business, are things he learned in the service – like an “insane” work ethic and organizational skills. Links: On Facebook: ThirtySeasons LLC Email: thirtyseasonsmike (at) gmail (dot) com 1-175th Infantry website and on Facebook
Transcribe →Episode 26: Former Navy SEAL Shares How Broke into Business; DJ Faldowski on How he Moved from One Elite Team to Another
Apr 21, 202100:24:16Tap to summarizeIt was 9/11. That’s what gave him the motivation to join the service. DJ Faldowski went on to graduate from Annapolis and serve in the Navy SEALs. He spent nine years in the Navy and multiple deployments before he decided to transition out. He wound up working in private equity, which is an elite aspect of finance. He later moved into business development and operations. Today he’s a program manager at SERVEPRO, which is currently owned by the private equity firm Blackstone. He also gives back to the veteran community by supporting a charity called Legacies Alive. Links: • Connect with DJ on LinkedIn • The charity DJ supports: Legacies Alive • DJ’s current employer, SERVEPRO • SERVPRO Receives 2020 Hire Vets Award from U.S. Dept. of Labor • Private equity firm Blackstone’s commitment to veterans
Transcribe →Episode 25: This Former Marine Landed in Cybersecurity Almost by Accident; Christopher Kennedy with Career Tips for Veterans
Apr 7, 202100:37:29Tap to summarizeChristopher Kennedy joined the Marines as a communications officer, and almost by accident wound up in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity was still a nascent industry then, but the experience served him well over his career. He’s worked in high profile cybersecurity gigs across multiple vertical markets, including government and finance, and also in organizations big and small, with companies like AttackIQ and Northrup Grumman. Today he’s a senior cybersecurity executive at a large financial institution While we’ve covered cybersecurity a couple times on the show, there is opportunity here because it’s a growing sector. And Chris has a truly unique background and a lot of stories, so I think listeners will enjoy it. Links: • Connect with Chris on LinkedIn • DoD SkillBridge Program • Defense contractor Northrup Grumman on transitioning veterans
Transcribe →Episode 24: Veterans Make “Savagely Loyal” Employees; Air Force Veteran Adam Braatz of the Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce
Mar 17, 202100:30:15Tap to summarizeAdam Braatz joined the Air Force to play the piano. A professional trained musician, he was among the few that audition and selected for the Air Force band. That experience took him around the world – before transitioning to a Military Training Instructor (MTI). Today he serves as Vice President, Communications & Programming at the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce. There he works with an “ecosystem” of partners that build networks, programs and connections to foster business opportunity for veterans. Having worked with many veterans and the organization that hires them, he shares some tips for veterans in transition on this episode. Show links: Connect with Adam on LinkedIn Adam's organization: Wisconsin Veteran’s Chamber of Commerce Adam’s blog: Veterans, Loyalty, and “Promotion from Within”
Transcribe →Episode 23: Finding a Purpose in Business After Military Service; Army Veteran Kent Wilson of Network Security Provider Bricata
Mar 3, 202100:26:19Tap to summarizeSome veterans struggle with finding purpose after military service. It’s hard to match the idealism of uniformed service – that is being part of something bigger than oneself. Kent Wilson, however, found purpose in his work in cybersecurity. The mission is very real every day, but it took a dinner with some old buddies that were still serving in the Army – after he got out – to make that point. Today he’s the vice president of Customer Experience at Bricata, which is a network security provider. In this episode, he shares how his uniformed experiences as an infantryman and paratrooper have influenced his career. He also describes how he got into cybersecurity and shares his advice for other veterans considering the field. Show links: Connect with Kent on LinkedIn Kent’s employer: Bricata Free tech training for veterans: With You With Me Cybersecurity training resource: Cybrary Cybersecurity training resource: SANS Institute
Transcribe →Episode 22: This Air Force Veteran is Building out a New Food Delivery Service; Timothy Dance of Dancin' Delivery
Feb 17, 202100:23:18Tap to summarizeSome of the conventional popular food delivery services are missing important elements: tamper proof measures, temperature control technology and other food safety issues. That’s a big part of where Timothy Dance sees a niche for his business idea. An Air Force veteran turned chef and entrepreneur, he walks us through his plans as he builds out a company– and also explains how his training in the Air Force lends itself to business. Show links: Connect with Tim on LinkedIn Tim’s business: Dancin' Delivery Dancin' Delivery Launches "Operation: Santa CAUSE" To Support The Georgia Military Community
Transcribe →Episode 21: Operating in Chaos translates to a [Business] Bias for Action; Beau Higgins a Retired Marine Colonel Turned Senior Manager of Military Talent Acquisition for Amazon
Feb 3, 202100:26:01Tap to summarizeOne of the skills Beau Higgins says veterans bring to business is an ability to operate in chaos. That is when things are chaotic – veterans learn to focus on getting things done. For 25 years, Beau got things done in the Marine Corps. He’s a retired colonel that held roles from intelligence to Marine Recon and went all over the world. Today, he is a Senior Manager of Military Talent Acquisition for Amazon. Amazon is a company that also strives to attract people that get things done. In fact, one of its leadership principles is all about getting things done: bias for action. He talks to us a little bit about that and describes some of the programs Amazon has in place to attract military veterans. Links discussed on the show: Beau Higgins on LinkedIn Resource: Amazon Military Webinar Series Resource: Amazon Careers: Military Recruiting Video: Amazon pledges to hire 25,000 veterans Factoid: Amazon Leadership Principles Transition: DoD SkillBridge internship program Charity: The Travis Manion Foundation 501(c)(3) Ted Talk: The 50 cups of coffee challenge
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