Battlefield to Business: The Veteran Entrepreneurial Journey

Joey Mac – Navy Veteran | Smokin’ Aces Mobile Cigar Lounge

In this episode, Navy veteran Joey Mac shares how he turned his love for cigars and community into a thriving mobile cigar lounge business. After transitioning from aircraft mechanic to entrepreneur, Joey leaned into his passion, creating a unique luxury experience that brings people together. His story is a reminder that your interests, when pursued with strategy and heart, can become your mission after military service.

Key takeaways include the importance of creating unique spaces for connection, how to transfer military discipline into business structure, the value of mobile business models for veterans, and lessons in branding from a lifestyle-focused venture.

🎙️ New Episode Alert – Battlefield to Business: The Veteran Entrepreneurial Journey

Good morning, afternoon, or evening — wherever you are — and welcome to another powerful episode of Battlefield to Business: The Veteran Entrepreneurial Journey.

This week, I sit down with Ryan Hunt, U.S. Army veteran and founder of 10th Mountain Recruiting, a national and international talent acquisition firm. With over 20 years of service, deployments to Iraq and Yugoslavia, and a master’s degree in leadership, Ryan shares his raw and authentic story of:

✅ Growing up with the entrepreneurial bug

✅ Transitioning from enlisted to officer post-9/11

✅ Building his business from scratch while still serving

✅ Lessons learned in leadership, grit, and business development

✅ What veterans need to hear before starting their own journey

We also talk about the power of giving back, and Ryan shares incredible resources like IVMF, Warrior Rising, and the Veteran Social Summit (which he co-hosts).

🛠️ Whether you're an aspiring veteran entrepreneur or just looking for some Monday motivation, this is a must-listen episode packed with truth, insight, and inspiration.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now on your favorite platform:

🎯 New episodes of Battlefield to Business: The Veteran Entrepreneurial Journey drop every Wednesday at 12:00 PM CST.

Let me know if you'd like a shortened version for Instagram or Twitter, or if you want this styled for LinkedIn or a newsletter too.

🎙️ New Episode of Battlefield to Business: From Combat Boots to Lemonade Stands 🍋

In this episode, I sit down with Steve Dko — veteran, entrepreneur, and owner of Reform Merch and Dell’s Frozen Lemonade in Cedar Park, TX. Steve shares his inspiring journey from military service to business ownership, overcoming injury, and turning his creativity into impact.

🪖 Reform Merch repurposes military uniforms into meaningful bags, collars, bracelets, and more.

🍋 Dell’s Frozen Lemonade brings a Rhode Island favorite to Texas — a veteran-owned, family-run local treat!

We dive into:

✅ The challenges of veteran transition

✅ Building a family-run business with purpose

✅ Community-based entrepreneurship

✅ Franchising advice for aspiring veteran business owners

Whether you're a transitioning veteran, creative entrepreneur, or just love a good comeback story — this one’s for you.

#VeteranOwned #BattlefieldToBusiness #ReformMerch #DellsFrozenLemonade #VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitaryToBusiness #CedarParkTX #SupportVeterans

In this powerful episode, Navy veteran and attorney Jim Wilson (aka “Max”) shares his extraordinary journey from flying electronic warfare aircraft to launching a solo law firm in Virginia — after literally dying and coming back to life.

With 30+ years of legal experience, Jim breaks down the realities of transitioning from military to civilian life, the overlooked entrepreneurial strengths of veterans, and why planning, not just passion, is the key to business success. From the courtroom to cardiac recovery, his story is one of resilience, reinvention, and refusing to let obstacles define your future.

#VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitaryToBusiness #BattlefieldToBusiness #Entrepreneurship #FranchiseAdvice #VeteranPodcast

🎙️ Battlefield to Business: From Military Lens to Entrepreneurial Focus with Tara Jackson

In this episode, we sit down with Tara Jackson, Army veteran and professional photographer, to explore her journey from military journalism to building her own photography business. Tara shares how early encouragement, military training, and entrepreneurial grit shaped her career. We dive into the realities of balancing passion with profit, why confidence is key, and how veterans can turn creative passions into thriving businesses.

Listen for practical advice on transitioning skills from service to civilian success

Episode Title: From Homeless to Honey Liquor: Pat Johnson’s Veteran Grit and Entrepreneurial Grind

Episode Description (Captivate FM)

In this powerful episode of Battlefield to Business, we sit down with Pat Johnson, Navy veteran and founder of Veterans Farming

Initiative of Alabama and Two Goat Brands Honey-Based Spirits.

Pat’s journey is raw, unfiltered, and deeply inspiring—from struggling with homelessness after leaving the Navy to boot strapping his way into perfecting the best honey liquor in the South. Pat walks us through the mindset shift from survival to significance, why he left traditional employment (and even teaching), and how passion plus pain equals purpose.

We talk:

• Growing up with a legacy of hustle and service
• Lessons from Naval Special Warfare and confidence in failure
• Starting over, battling depression, and rediscovering purpose
• Bootstrapping a liquor brand through beekeeping and backyard liquor distilling
• Navigating legal risks, funding challenges, and launching a niche product
• Tools and programs like Co.Starters, DBAs, and the Main Street Initiative

This episode is for the veteran who feels stuck, for the dreamer with no funding, and for anyone who believes that your next chapter can be your best one.

Find Pat on Facebook: Veterans Farming Initiative of Alabama

Contact: pat@absolutepromo.com

Brand: Two Goat Brands Honey-Based Spirits

Passion for

art and design @ 0:00

Robert discovered his passion for art and design from a young age, constantly drawing

and creating. While he struggled with formal training and skill development

early on, his drive and dedication to improving his craft eventually led him to

excel in graphic design and visual communication.

Navigating

the challenges of being a graphic designer @ 3:53

As a graphic

designer, Robert had to learn to balance his artistic vision with the needs and

demands of clients and businesses. He discussed the importance of developing a

thick skin, being willing to compromise, and not getting too attached to

individual designs. Robert also shared strategies for finding work as a young

designer, such as networking and taking on smaller projects to build

experience.

Lessons from

military service @ 15:47

Robert's time in the military as an infantryman provided him with valuable experiences and

skills that he was able to apply to his design work, such as being volunteered

for painting and design projects. He also discussed the camaraderie and sense

of mission he missed after leaving the military, which motivated him to focus

his design work on supporting the veteran community.

Adapting to

industry changes and trends @ 28:32

Robert shared his perspective on the rise of AI in the design industry, noting both the

opportunities and challenges it presents. He discussed strategies for

leveraging AI tools while still maintaining the human touch and creativity that

clients value. Robert also reflected on the evolution of veteran-focused

apparel companies, cautioning against the risk of losing sight of the original

mission in pursuit of profits.

Advice for

aspiring designers and entrepreneurs @ 37:06

Drawing on his extensive experience, Robert provided advice for aspiring designers and

entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, being willing

to take on new challenges, and maintaining a focus on the needs of the target

market rather than personal artistic preferences. He also stressed the value of

networking and building relationships within...

Episode Summary

Title: Inventing the Journey: Tony Jefferson on Building a Travel Platform from the Ground Up

In this powerful episode of Battlefield to Business, retired Air Force Master Sergeant Tony Jefferson takes us through his entrepreneurial evolution—from military structure to building a personalized travel tech platform, Traveling Session.

With over two decades in service, mostly overseas, Tony always had a passion for discovering new places. But transitioning from cybersecurity to startup founder was anything but linear. He candidly shares how he went from failing out of college to finding purpose through travel, learning to code, building a business with zero blueprint, and growing from each stumble along the way.

We dive into:

• How military life prepared (and didn’t prepare) him for entrepreneurship
• The massive mindset shift from orders to ownership
• The importance of self-awareness and personality testing
• Why following your passion isn’t enough—you also have to solve a real problem
• The challenges of being an inventor with no roadmap, and learning to outsource and pivot
• Building a platform that recommends destinations based on who you are as a traveler
• Redefining success beyond income—toward happiness, freedom, and family

Whether you're in uniform, out of uniform, or dreaming about your next chapter—Tony's journey will light a fire under your feet and remind you that you're not starting over. You're building something new.

Explore Traveling Session: https://travelingsession.com