Veteran On The Move

On this episode of Veteran On the Move, Marine Corps Veteran Dave Burlin shares his journey from infantry to a leader in the veteran entrepreneurial community. Dave discusses how his soft skills learned in the military proved invaluable in scaling a wedding entertainment business and his lessons learned from the experience. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and passion in entrepreneurship. Listeners will learn about his work building vital ecosystems that connect veterans and entrepreneurs nationwide through initiatives like Freedom Week, the Veteran Entrepreneur Library Project, and VET Talks. Tune in to see how Dave's dedication to lifelong learning fuels his impact on the veteran business landscape. Episode Resources:  Dave Burlin - Global Entrepreneurship Network | LinkedIn Freedom Week 2025: It’s Not a Movement — It’s a Responsibility VetsinTech   About Our Guest Dave Burlin is a Marine Corps Veteran and founder of Freedom Week, the Veteran Entrepreneur Library Project, and VET Tal

On this episode of Veteran On the Move, Joe Crane talks with Gregg Zoroya, a former USA Today journalist who chronicled the impact of combat on military families. Gregg shares insights from embedding with Marines in Somalia and how his experiences in the field has led to his upcoming book, Unremitting: The Marine “Bastard” Battalion and the Savage Battle that Marked the True Start of America’s War in Iraq. This upcoming book reveals the untold stories of the Battle of Ramadi from the Iraq War. Gregg also offers practical advice on the entire book-writing process, from interviews to publishing and promotion. Tune in for a powerful discussion on military history and authorship. Episode Resources:  Gregg Zoroya | Hachette Book Group Unremitting on Amazon   About Our Guest Gregg Zoroya worked as a journalist with USA Today from 1998-2022, moving from human interest features and general assignment reporting to war coverage and finally to a beat assignment specially created for his talents that focused on the i

In this episode of Veteran On the Move, host Joe Crane interviews Frank Manteau, a Marine Corps veteran and co-founder/CEO of MilTreats Inc. Frank shares his challenging transition from the Marine Corps  to entrepreneurship, leading to the creation of Crayons Ready-to-Eat—"the world’s first colorable chocolate crayon." He discusses rebranding to MilTreats and how they infuse military history into their products. Frank also emphasizes the vital role of organizations like Warrior Rising for veteran networking and support. Episode Resources:  MilTreats Warrior Rising   About Our Guest Frank Manteau is a United States Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, and mentor dedicated to empowering others through resilience, creativity, and service. As the co-founder and CEO of MilTreats Inc., he brings military history and humor to life with innovative products like Crayons Ready-to-Eat. Drawing from his experience as a single father and business owner, Frank actively supports fellow veterans and entrepreneurs through

In this episode of Veteran On the Move, host Joe Crane welcomes U.S. Air Force veteran Kijuan Amey. Kijuan, who served as a Boom Operator, recounts his time in active duty and the Reserves, as well as the life-altering motorcycle accident that led to his loss of sight. He also discusses his recovery and impactful work with the Air Force Wounded Warrior program. He continues to share his message as an author and motivational speaker. Episode Resources:  Amey Motivational Speaker Kijuan on LinkedIn   About Our Guest Kijuan Amey, founder of Amey Motivation LLC, is a U.S. Air Force veteran from Durham, NC, who served a decade as an In-flight Refueling Specialist. After losing his eyesight in a 2017 motorcycle accident, he transformed adversity into purpose, becoming a motivational speaker, mentor, and ambassador for the Air Force Wounded Warriors program. With over 25 years of drumming experience, a passion for acting, and his book “Don't Focus on Why Me”, Kijuan empowers audiences with his powerful message:

In this episode of Veteran On the Move, Joe welcomes John R. Miles, a Navy veteran and graduate of the Naval Academy where he was commissioned as a cryptologist. Miles recounts his transition from military service, detailing his initial plans to join the FBI and the significant 40-month delay he encountered. He highlights the strategic utilization of his Naval Academy network during this period, which ultimately facilitated his entry into the defense contractor industry. The conversation further explores Miles' entrepreneurial journey and the pivotal "wake-up call" that led him to author his bestselling book, Passion Struck. He provides insights into the critical process of identifying and pursuing personal passions. The discussion also addresses the essential mindset shift required for veterans navigating civilian life and entrepreneurship, with Miles emphasizing the importance of confronting fears and overcoming obstacles to achieve professional and personal success. Episode Resources:  Passion Struck Pa

Veteran On the Move welcomes Jim Carlough, a leadership expert with 30+ years of experience in building teams and guiding organizational change, particularly within healthcare. Jim discusses his book, "The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership," emphasizing the importance of integrity and the need for leaders to show empathy and continuously grow. He also touches on his early leadership experiences and the value of mentorship in developing effective leadership skills. Episode Resources:  Jim Carlough     About Our Guest With over 30 years of leadership experience, Jim Carlough is an accomplished business strategist, speaker, and author. Having successfully driven explosive growth for healthcare organizations from start-ups to industry leaders Jim is a trusted expert in building high-performing teams, revitalizing underperforming businesses, and guiding organizations through transformational change.  Jim's core philosophy is that leaders aren't born; they are developed, challenges the myth of innate leadersh

This episode of Veteran On the Move features Dr. Karwanna D. Irving, a business coach who helps six-figure entrepreneurs scale to seven figures by securing government contracts. Dr. Irving shares her entrepreneurial journey, from early ventures in video and photography to successfully selling to the U.S. government. She outlines the crucial steps for businesses to become government-contract ready and how to find relevant opportunities. Now dedicated to helping others, Dr. Irving offers a roadmap, including a 5-day course, to unlock multi-million-dollar potential in the government sector. Tune in for actionable insights on tapping into the world's largest buyer. Episode Resources:  Don't Duck the Government Book "Scale Your 6-Figure Business with Government Contracts"  5-Day Challenge  She's Got Goals    About Our Guest Dr. Karwanna D Irving is a transformational speaker, author, and business coach who helps six-figure entrepreneurs scale to seven figures through government contracts. With over two de

Marine Corps Veteran Edgar Rodriguez joins Joe on this episode of Veteran On the Move. Edgar shares his journey transitioning into the communication industry, highlighting his experience in sales with ADT and the valuable lessons learned through Wolf Management's Capstone program. They discuss the power of connecting with like-minded individuals, building strong relationships, and the role of executive coaching in establishing a solid team based on the five pillars of business. Ultimately, Edgar emphasizes the significance of discovering one's passion and forging a fulfilling path. Episode Resources:  Master the Network Edgar's LinkedIn   About Our Sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union   Navy Federal Credit Union has made it their mission to help people in the military community. Navy Federal Credit Union is open to all branches of the military, Veterans and their families. They have lots of flexible savings and investing options to help their members reach their financial goals. Don’t miss out. The soon

On this episode of Veteran On the Move, Joe is joined by Army Veteran Joshua Brooks, founder of Exponential Advisors. Joshua enlisted in the infantry and later pursued a commission to serve as a Chaplain. He recounts his path to gaining pastoral experience and his eventual entry into the financial services world. He discusses the motivations behind launching his financial planning firm and the story of securing its funding, highlighting the vital importance of flexibility when navigating life's unexpected turns. Episode Resources:  Exponential Advisors   About Our Guest Joshua Barrett Brooks is an Army veteran, Chaplain, and founder of Exponential Advisors, a cutting-edge financial planning firm dedicated to empowering veterans and guiding clients through the complexities of digital assets and Bitcoin integration. After serving over 20 years including two deployments to Iraq and KuwaitJoshua now leverages his unique blend of military leadership and financial expertise to help veterans achieve financial f

In this episode of Veteran On the Move, Joe welcomes Hubert Johnson, a Navy veteran who transitioned from military service to a successful career as a Tax Attorney and business owner. Hubert shares his inspiring journey, detailing his experiences navigating the transition, his path through education, and the valuable lessons he's learned along the way. He offers crucial advice for veteran entrepreneurs and small business owners on managing their taxes, highlighting common pitfalls and effective strategies for financial success. Episode Resources:  Guardian Tax Law   About Our Guest Hubert Johnson served 3 years in the US Navy and has been a Tax Attorney for 16 years. He founded Guardian Tax Law and has taught tax law, lectured at seminars and conferences and has co-written a book and a tax guide   About Our Sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union   Navy Federal Credit Union has made it their mission to help people in the military community. Navy Federal Credit Union is open to all branches of the military

In this episode of Veteran On the Move, Joe is joined Army Veteran Brandon Mills, the CEO of Total Promotion Company. Brandon shares his post-military transition journey, which initially involved obtaining his CDL and later working in the oil industry. While the pay was good, he ultimately desired the autonomy and control of being his own boss. Brandon eventually decided to purchase an existing business, recognizing the inherent benefits of this approach. He discusses his process for finding the right business opportunity and the strategies he implemented to modernize and grow the company. A key focus for Brandon was improving the business's systems and growing a team, allowing him to concentrate on strategic growth rather than being bogged down in daily operations. Brandon also highlights the importance of resources like Bunker Labs for connecting with fellow veteran entrepreneurs. Episode Resources:  Total Promotion Company Brandon Mills - Owner - Total Promotion Company | LinkedIn   About Our Guest

In this episode of Veteran On the Move, Brian Smith shares his dynamic career journey, transitioning from banking to thriving in Denver's commercial real estate scene, and ultimately dedicating himself to empowering entrepreneurs. He discovered his passion for helping founders scale their businesses and founded Strategy Ladders. Brian emphasizes the importance of building a sellable business, avoiding the trap of being indispensable, and the critical role of mindset and leadership in entrepreneurial success. He provides practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, focusing on scaling strategies and the importance of community. He shares insight into how Strategy Ladders offer a tangible approach for B2B companies seeking to overcome growth bottlenecks.  Episode Resources:  Strategy Ladders S Brian Smith - Strategy Ladders | LinkedIn     About Our Guest Brian Smith is a long-time serial entrepreneur with experience in building a commercial real estate firm, property management company, an agency, and a

This week on Veteran On the Move, Joe interviews Leroy Roberts, a British Army veteran whose eight-year career was cut short by injury. Leroy shares his insights on navigating military transition, emphasizing the direct correlation between transition effort and success. He details his entrepreneurial journey and the invaluable experience that can be gained through volunteering. Now, Leroy leverages his military training to address executive’s leadership challenges, guaranteeing fully functional teams within 90 days. He delves into the root causes of low morale, high turnover, and disconnect, highlighting the critical role of trust and authentic soft skills—qualities veterans possess in abundance. Learn how Leroy helps leaders implement lasting change by accurately assessing weaknesses and targeting root causes. Episode Resources:  Leroy's LinkedIn   About Our Guest Leroy Roberts  is a dynamic professional speaker, personal development and coaching strategist specializing in leadership, communication, and

On this episode of Veteran On the Move, Joe Crane interviews Kirolos Abdalla, founder of AI Dudes. Kirolos shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey, from a family business ransomware attack in Egypt to building a thriving AI business in the US. He discusses his transition from traditional employment  to entrepreneurship. He shares how he is empowering small businesses with personalized AI solutions and offers valuable advice for veterans pursuing entrepreneurship. Episode Resources:  The AI Dudes   About Our Guest Kirolos Abdalla is the driving force behind The AI Dudes, a company revolutionizing how businesses leverage AI.. Through AI-powered employees, he helps businesses qualify leads, engage customers, automate workflows, handle customer support, and optimize operations allowing them to scale faster and work smarter. His journey into AI and automation began early at just 12 years old, he launched his first online business, sparking a lifelong passion for technology, sales, and automation. Over t

This week on Veteran On the Move, Joe's son, Mason, joins the show, sharing his journey into entrepreneurship. Mason got his entrepreneurial start in used car sales but found it different to scale. Shifting his focus, Mason found success in land wholesaling, using a combination of experience and lessons learned through The Land Sharks program. He details his shift to full-time land deals and how confidence fueled his growth. Tune in for insights into Mason's recent deals and his inspiring entrepreneurial path. Episode Resources:  Land Owner Central The Land Sharks   About Our Sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union   Navy Federal Credit Union has made it their mission to help people in the military community. Navy Federal Credit Union is open to all branches of the military, Veterans and their families. They have lots of flexible savings and investing options to help their members reach their financial goals. Don’t miss out. The sooner you start building your finances with savings and investing options,

In this episode of Veteran On the Move, Joe sits down with Rob Server, a former Navy SEAL with 9 years of service, and Alex Gendzier, a veteran advocate and business leader, to discuss their book, "Warrior to Civilian: The Field Manual for the Hero's Journey." They delve into the often-hidden challenges of military transition, from losing a sense of purpose and community to navigating new career paths. Rob's journey from Surface Warfare Officer to SEAL, followed by a successful transition to Goldman Sachs, provides a powerful example. Alex, drawing from his experience mentoring veterans, emphasizes the need for a comprehensive resource that addresses the emotional and practical aspects of this life-changing period. They explore how ancient wisdom and practical advice can guide veterans and their families through this new chapter, stressing the importance of communication and embracing the transition. Episode Resources:  Warrior to Civilian: The Field Manual for the Hero’s Journey    About Our Guest    Li

This week on Veteran On the Move, Joe talks with Damon Darnall, founder of Sky Eye Network. With 30 years in commercial drones, Damon now coaches others to launch their own drone businesses. He shares his journey into the industry and the vast opportunities available. Tune in to learn how Damon has helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs take flight! Episode Resources:  Drone Command Live About Our Guest    Damon Darnall, aka the Drone Boss, is the founder of the Sky Eye Network. The Drone Boss has over 25 years of experience flying Drones and has logged over 10,000 Drone flight hours. He has set 2 world records and competed in numerous National and World competitions. He is currently hosting Drone Command Live seminars all over America, helping new Drone Operators start successful and profitable businesses using their drones.   About Our Sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union   Navy Federal Credit Union has made it their mission to help people in the military community.  Navy Federal Credit Union is open to a

This week on Veteran On the Move, host Joe talks with Michael Drew, entrepreneur and book marketing expert. Michael shares his journey from working in the publishing industry and to starting his own marketing agency. He reveals how he cracked the code to bestseller lists and now helps authors leverage their books as powerful business tools. Michael emphasizes the importance of working with authors before they even start writing, and discusses key elements of successful book creation, identifying your target audience, and, most importantly, defining your desired outcome and how to measure it. Episode Resources:  Book Retreats Promote A Book About Our Guest    Getting books noticed is in Michael Drew's blood. Making books the essential reads that everyone needs to buy and talk about is also in his genes. With a string of national bestsellers (many of them number-one titles) that reads like an all-star team of today's most popular business writers, Michael loves books.He's launched 131 consecutive books

This week on Veteran On the Move, host Joe sits down with Idan Shpizear, an Israeli Army veteran and successful entrepreneur. Idan's story is one of hard work and opportunity. From growing up on a farm in Israel to immigrating to the United States, he embodies the drive to build something from the ground up. He shares his experiences as an immigrant and how a simple carpet cleaning job sparked his vision for a better restoration company. Recognizing a gap in the industry, Idan founded 911 Restoration, a company that not only cleans and repairs but also supports homeowners as they rebuild after a disaster. Today, 911 Restoration boasts 120 franchisees across more than 300 territories. Idan discusses the importance of discipline for entrepreneurs and emphasizes the power of remaining open to new opportunities.  Episode Resources:  911 Restoration   About Our Guest    Idan Shpizear is a visionary entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of 911 Restoration, a top-ranked disaster restoration franchise in the Unit

This episode on Veteran On the Move, Joe sits down with Air Force Veteran Tiffany Morice, a leadership coach and motivational speaker. Tiffany reveals how she pursued her entrepreneurial dreams while juggling a demanding career at the IRS. Learn about the valuable lessons she learned along the way, including the importance of self-care for leaders and the reality that success rarely comes easy. Episode Resources:  Tiffany Morice About Our Guest    Tiffany Morice is a dynamic leadership and mindset coach, motivational speaker, and combat veteran with over two decades of experience transforming individuals and organizations. As a professional leadership coach with the Armed Forces Success Center (AFSC), she combines her military expertise, including three overseas tours, with executive leadership experience at the IRS to help leaders turn challenges into opportunities. Her signature keynote, The Empowerment Equation: Mastering the Leadership Mindset to Drive Lasting Impact, equips audiences with actionabl