2021 MIM_FEBRUARY

Living an impact-driven life

Picture this: A little boy grows up in royalty in Nigeria, then one day his family leaves it all behind to come to the United States. Like many immigrant families, struggle accompanies starting new in the land of opportunity.

That same little boy, now slightly older, encounters someone who sees potential in him. So much so, that they guide him through the process of joining America’s Navy. Then, after a career as a Navy SEAL, his talent attracts the eye of Hollywood decision makers. Now, the storybook of his life — that started in Western Africa — continues on screens in a country that was once foreign to him.

What sounds like a plot for a pageturning novel is actually the true life of Remi Adeleke, the producer and author who graces this month’s cover. And instead of just focusing on his own success, he is adamant about finding others to believe in, in the same way someone did for him.

This month’s issue focuses on social impact. Not just those formally working as changemakers, but anyone who improves their small slice of the world like Tee Marie Hanible. The retired Marine gunnery sergeant founded Operation Heroes Connect — an organization that brings together at-risk youth and active-duty mentors.

If there’s anything we’ve learned over the last year, it is we need more people willing to step up and do the right thing. What imprint are you making on your community and how can you inspire those around you to step up?

Bianca M.Strzalkowski Managing Editor

ABOUT THE COVER

Jeremy Knauff

Jessica Manfre

Andrea

Stephen

Jackie

Jessica

Laura

Shelley Levitt

Chad Storlie

Former Navy SEAL Remi Adeleke is a producer and author who mentors at-risk youth. Photo shoot by Ruby Peraro.

Ryan Guina

Tiffany Eve Lawrence

Downing Peck

Ruiz

Toops

Evans

Kandewen

by Jeremy Knauff

by Tiffany Eve Lawrence

Military Influencer Magazine is published by AmeriForce Media LLC, 4 times per year for active duty service members, veterans, entrepreneurs, and military spouses. Copies are available through participating family service centers, relocation offices, transition offices, base lodges, libraries, daycare centers, MWR activities and other locations by request.

Individuals can subscribe to receive digital editions at https://www.ameriforcemedia. com/militaryinfluencer. Editorial comments can be emailed to managing.editor@ ameriforcemedia.com.

Military Influencer Magazine is published by AmeriForce Media, LLC, Bloomington, Indiana, a private company. Information and advertisements in this publication do not constitute endorsement by any branch of the military or the Department of Defense. No part of this publication may be copied without the express written permission of the publishers. AmeriForce Media, LLC, the publishers, and publisher’s agents make no endorsement of any advertised services or products and none should be inferred.

EDITORIAL

President and Publisher Todd Taranto Managing Editor Bianca M.Strzalkowski

Production Editor Melissa Stewart Design Open-Look Business Solutions

by Stephen Ruiz

by Jessica Evans by Shelley Levitt

Julie Miller Vice President, Sales Julie.Miller@AmeriForceMedia.com

SAVE TODAY, LIVE BETTER TOMORROW!

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3

Take the Pledge – the pledge is a promise to yourself, a simple savings plan that works!

Text MilitarySaves to 877877 or scan the QR code below. You’ll receive tips, information, and inspiration to help you reach your goals!

Participate in Military Saves Month, April 1-30, 2021

We’ll be sharing great tools and trusted resources all month long. Check our website militarysaves.org for virtual and live events.

April 1: MILITARY SAVES MONTH LAUNCH!

Week 2, April 5: SAVE FOR THE UNEXPECTED

Week 3, April 12: SAVE TO RETIRE

Week 4, April 19: SAVE BY REDUCING DEBT

Week 5, April 26: SAVE AS A FAMILY

Start Saving! Become part of a community of savers. We’re here to support you on your saving journey!

Wish your savings account was a little bigger?

Participate in Military Saves Month – April 1-30, 2021

Scan the QR code below to take the Military Saves Pledge. For more information, visit militarysaves.org

RACIAL EQUITY

By AmeriForce Staff

ORGANIZATION LAUNCHES $1 MILLION INITIATIVE

Blue Star Families launched a new leadership initiative aimed at addressing racial inequities among military and veteran communities while improving the wellbeing of military families of color.

The Racial Equity Initiative (REI) is a multi-dimensional, cross-sector, collective-action effort to improve the service experiences of military families of color. The initiative focuses on five impact areas:

Following the death of George Floyd in 2020, Blue Star Families gathered a number of its stakeholders to get a better view of the experiences of underrepresented groups with a military affiliation. One of the seats at that table was filled by Dr. Ingrid Herrera-Yee, a clinical psychologist who founded Military Spouse Behavioral Health Clinicians

“We’ve been working for years to have more resources for our Spanishspeaking families, for our Hispanic families who we knew anecdotally have a lack of knowledge of resources — whether it be because of language barriers or other barriers that are common to our families of color. This is an issue as a first-generation Guatemalan American, which is close to my heart, even before I became a military spouse. Working for social justice and working with immigrant

1. RESEARCH & ADVOCACY

3. LEADERSHIP

4. COLLABORATION

2. TRAINING

5. COMMUNITY IMPACT

families is something I have done since I was a child,” Herrera-Yee said.

Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families, said findings from a Pulse Check survey found minority military members had a lack of awareness about support programs and resources. It is chief among the reasons her team launched the initiative.

“The Racial Equity Initiative is Blue Star Families’ answer to the national call for action to face and address the inequities people of color experience in their life of service,” Kathy RothDouquet, CEO of Blue Star Families, said. “We are proud to partner with leading individuals and organizations to harness new resources, build new programs, and bring new collaborators to change the unacceptable reality that far too many families face. Blue Star Families has long believed that all military families deserve to feel welcome in their communities, to feel appreciated, and to feel a sense of belonging. We believe that when they feel this way, it not only makes military families stronger — it also strengthens our military readiness.”

The organization hosted a launch event in December with members of its committee, including high-ranking military leaders from all branches, wounded warriors, caregivers, and military spouses that will spearhead the efforts. The group is co-chaired by Herrera-Yee, retired Army Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham, and retired Army Staff Sgt. Charles Eggleston. A full list of committee members can be found at bluestarfam.org/racial-equity-initiative.

“With frequent moves and many other compounding impacts of serving in uniform, military families often encounter challenges taking root in a community; these challenges are often much greater for families of

color, who may feel even more isolated or disconnected,” Bingham, co-chair of the Racial Equity Committee and former Assistant U.S. Chief of Staff for Installation Management, said. “All military families deserve to feel that they belong, that they are appreciated, and that they are welcome. Today’s conversation starts by acknowledging that many military families of color do not feel that way. Today is about declaring that we can do better, and that we are committed to creating positive change.”

A key component of the initiative is to create a platform where service members and military families can share their stories.

“I think some really challenging things are going to come out. For instance, it is an issue for many military families of color about if they can move their family to some of the places the military asks them to move. This is not something many white people have had to think about. It is time for people to think about the implications of this and the change that is possible,” RothDouquet shared.

She added that a promise of change comes from this level of awareness. Visit bluestarfam.org/racial-equityinitiative to learn more about this initiative and how you can get involved.

FLEXIBILITY IS TO SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS KEY

By Ryan Guina

Virtually all Air Force members are familiar with the phrase, “flexibility is the key to airpower” — one of the seven tenets of airpower. Flexibility, along with adaptability and perseverance, is a hallmark of any successful military career. It’s no surprise that most successful entrepreneurs and influencers also have these traits.

These attributes have never been more necessary than during the last year, as many businesses have struggled to navigate a post-pandemic world. The following four tips can help you navigate these uncharted waters and steer your business toward success.

Go on the offensive

As they say, the best defense is a good offense. While the pandemic has changed the landscape for many businesses, there are often opportunities. Going on the offensive can help you identify areas for expansion, growth, or new opportunities.

Cash flow is one of the most critical areas of your business in which to focus. Increased cash flow gives you more flexibility to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.

Go on the defensive

That said, offense alone doesn’t win championships. It needs to be coupled with a strong defense. The pandemic-related challenges serve as an excellent reminder to work on the defensive side of your business.

Review your business expenses and identify areas where you can cut back. Look for unused software or other monthly subscriptions. Could you re-negotiate your rental or lease agreement? Do you have too much equipment or inventory on hand? Do you have too many employees? Should you drop unprofitable customers or cut a product line?

These are difficult but necessary questions to ask, and more importantly, to act upon.

Outsource where possible

While it may seem counterintuitive, outsourcing may help your business thrive. Outsourcing could include hiring more workers, or it could mean using outside resources to fulfill your business’s objectives.

If hiring, start by identifying areas where you aren’t an expert. Prime examples include bookkeeping, accounting, web development, design, production, or other specialized skills. Removing these tasks from your plate allows you to focus more energy on the profit-producing activities essential to your business.

If outsourcing in other areas of your business, look to identify areas that eat up a large percentage of your time, budget, or other resources. Outsourcing could include hiring another company to handle your warehousing, shipping, and logistics, outsourcing widget production for your business line, or otherwise partnering with another company to lighten your load and increase profitability.

Pivot if you have to

Sometimes factors outside of our control impact our businesses in ways we could not have predicted. Pivoting may help keep your business afloat.

Every situation is unique, so you will need to brainstorm ways to pivot to increase your cash flow and keep your business afloat. Examples could include holding virtual events instead of in-person events, shipping products, making house calls, or even changing your entire business model.

Spend some time thinking about how you can improve your business operations. And above all, remain flexible.

FORMER SEAL USES LIFE LESSONS

TO MENTOR AT-RISK YOUTH

By Tiffany Eve Lawrence

Writer, producer, and former Navy SEAL Remi Adeleke doesn’t fit into molds. His life has been filled with a gamut of opportunities for which he didn’t qualify. But with help from a recruiter and the voice of his mom in his mind reminding him of excellence, he proved that he would overcome the bad choices he’d made as an at-risk youth to master his future.

Now, he’s passionate about motivating young people of the same background to know what they can accomplish beyond the limitations society has put on them based on their race or what area they’re from.

Adeleke didn’t grow up with hopes of becoming a Navy SEAL. He’d never seen one in person or thought about

becoming a member of the highlytrained elite team of special operation forces. They were just the intriguing cool guys in the movies.

His father died when he was a young boy, and his mom was left alone to care for him and his brother Bayo. So, she moved her family from Africa to the Bronx in New York City. Unfortunately, inner-city communities like the Bronx are plagued with crime, high unemployment, inadequate educational opportunities, and extreme poverty, and Adeleke became a product of his surroundings. He was selling drugs and getting into other illegal activities. By the time he tried to join the military, he had two warrants out for his arrest. But Adeleke had an unexpected supporter that changed his life. His recruiter, Tianna Reyes, was a fellow Bronx native who understood his environment and went to bat for him because she knew no one else would give him a chance.

“She really believed in me,” he said. As a result, his record was expunged, and on July 2, 2002, he was sworn into the U.S. Navy.

Adeleke’s first time learning about special operations forces was in boot camp, and he was hooked.

“My mom always preached excellence to me … and to me, being a SEAL was excellence personified,” he said.

But once again, he didn’t fit the bill.

“I was totally unqualified to go to BUD/S (basic underwater demolition SEAL training) because I didn’t have the academic scores. My ASVAB scores weren’t high enough. I couldn’t swim. I couldn’t run. I was super skinny, and I was not in shape for the program,” Adeleke explained.

But during his first command at Camp Pendleton, he took matters into his own hands.

“It’s really hard for me to quit anything … I expect to have bad days. I expect to make mistakes and have setbacks. It’s just second nature for me to keep moving.”

“I created a regimen and started training. I would run three miles to the pool, jump in the shallow end, and try to figure it out. Over time I began to get better, and I would run three miles back to my barracks,” he said.

He also purchased the book “ASVAB for Dummies” and eventually retook the test.

Adeleke then went even further and asked his leading petty officer to give him a split shift schedule so he could train harder. He qualified for SEAL training within six months, but this still didn’t seal the deal for him. After a year of being in SEAL training, he had failed his aquatic test so many times that he was kicked out.

“I failed a dive test four times and ultimately got kicked out of school,” he added.

Still, he refused to quit after being sent back to the fleet. Adeleke trained for a-year-and-half with the Marines and went back to SEAL training and became a SEAL.

In his book “Transformed,” he documents his life, the challenges he’s faced, and the lessons he’s learned. His driving force now is giving back to communities like the one he grew up in. Acting in a major film — “Transformers: The Last Knight” — and now working as a screenwriter and director aren’t enough if he can’t share the lessons. He attributes this to one thing — his faith.

“This is not about me. It’s about people. How can I serve people? How can I bless people?” he said.

Adeleke emphasizes a desire to expose Black youths to the Navy SEALs, as he was the only Black graduate in his class of SEALs. Since 2012, the U.S. Navy has stated it is actively looking for minority SEALs, yet less than 1% of them are

Black. Adeleke says part of the blame goes to Hollywood for the lack of positive Black images they put in the world.

“You don’t see a Black James Bond … A lot of white kids see themselves every time they turn on a TV or every time they watch a movie.”

The idea that white people can do anything is normalized and reinforced by Hollywood, while Black children rarely see themselves in strong, affluent roles.

Exposure to proper education is another mission. Not only are the kids not exposed to SEALs, but urban schools also lack essential tools required to join, like access to pools to learn to swim.

“You don’t see educators allowing top tier military professionals such as special operators, pilots, or doctors into their inner-city schools to say you can do this too,” he explained.

To add to the lack of representation, Adeleke has received layers of pushback from inner-city schools and

prisons when his team asks if he can speak to the inmates or students.

“The schools that give me the hardest time to get into [to speak] are innercity, predominantly African American schools,” he said.

His frustration is palpable. The root of the problem is that predominantly white schools are financially backed with an outpouring of community support to expand and better their students’ opportunities. In contrast, minority community schools, that mostly receive funding from property taxes, still fall victim to the American system’s discrimination.

“You’ve got to go through all this red tape. But when you go to these schools in suburbia, it’s, ‘Hey, you want to come speak? Come!’ I’ve got an open-door policy to so many schools in suburban areas, but I don’t in urban areas,” Adeleke shared.

And when asking the reason, he is told it’s the city officials and their rules. But Adeleke has a knack for breaking down barriers.

“Overcoming adversity has become second nature to me,” he said. “I kind of learned that through osmosis by living with my mother.”

During 2020, as big brands claimed they would actively diversify and seek out Black creators, one major studio stuck to their word and sought Adeleke out to produce a show.

“In the Hollywood side, I have seen some things change,” he said.

As his weight in Hollywood grows, Adeleke hopes to help give minority youth more exposure and experiences through the imprint of his future television and film work.

To purchase a copy of “Transformed: A Navy SEAL’s Unlikely Journey from the Throne of Africa, to the Streets of the Bronx, to Defying All Odds,” visit any major book retailer including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

3 WAYS TO BECOME AN AUTHORITY

IN YOUR INDUSTRY

By Jeremy Knauff

When you think about leaders in your industry, what goes through your mind?

If you’re anything like most people, you probably look up to them, respect the hard work they’ve put in, and admire the knowledge they’ve earned. And if we’re being completely honest, you probably dream about having that status yourself — for your ego and because being a leader helps you get more media coverage, attract more clients, and earn more money.

The good news is that you don’t have to just dream about reaching your goals. If you follow the right process, you can become an authority in your industry.

Demonstrate your expertise

“Experts say ... ”

Have you ever noticed that when trying to make a point, people cite the opinion of an expert on the topic?

People want to hear what the experts think, which is why they, rather than some random guy on the street, are cited in the media.

But you can’t just say you’re an expert. You have to demonstrate your expertise by creating content that proves you are an expert.

This content, which might include articles, case studies, videos, podcasts, or even social media posts, proves your expertise by clearly answering specific questions, providing actionable information, and explaining how to do something.

It should be both original and useful. Don’t be afraid to go deep — yes, that means some people will use it themselves and not hire you, but they were never going to hire you in the first place. But when a serious prospect sees your content and realizes you can solve their problem, they are more likely to hire you.

Build and nurture the right relationships

Building and, more importantly, nurturing the right relationships can have a profound impact on your status as an authority in your industry.

Think about it like this — let’s say you want to write for a particular publication, speak at an event, or be featured on a television program. Do you think you’d have more luck trying to make that happen by yourself or if someone introduced you to the person responsible for making that decision?

The right relationships can make bigger things happen faster.

When it comes to building authority, the relationships you’ll want to build should include:

• Industry peers

• Contributors

• Editors

• Producers

• TV/radio personalities

• Influencers

• Podcast hosts

It’s smart to create a list of the people you want to build relationships with because if you’re doing things right,

there will be too many to remember, and because of social media algorithms, you probably won’t see them in your newsfeed regularly.

Leverage the media

We all understand the power of the media, which is exactly why we want to be featured there.

When I say media, I mean entities like national and local news channels and major publications like Entrepreneur and The Wall Street Journal, all the way down to trade publications, blogs, and even podcasts. In other words, any relevant entity with an existing audience.

You can leverage the media in two distinct ways. The first is to increase your exposure, and the second is to bolster your authority.

The more people you can get your message in front of, the more effectively you can grow your business. And since most media entities have a large and loyal audience, you’ll reach significantly more people than you would through platforms like your own blog or social media profiles.

But the ability to bolster your authority is even more important. When someone is featured by the media, they’re vetted to make sure they’re qualified, and because there are so many entrepreneurs and a limited number of stories, only the best of the best tend to get featured. This is why people instinctively trust experts who are featured by media outlets that they respect.

Getting featured in the media isn’t easy, though.

Most people get their pitch wrong because they make it all about themselves with stories about how awesome they think they are and why they want to be featured. A better approach is to frame your pitch from the perspective of the audience first, then the person you’re pitching.

VETERANS USE ‘TINY’ SOLUTION TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS

By Jessica Manfre

The Veterans Community Project (VCP) co-founders don’t think of themselves as influencers. They also never dreamed that their tiny home concept would turn into a national expansion project in which cities all over the country would be vying for them to come their way.

Veteran and CEO Bryan Meyer is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, which is the site of the original VCP village. He enlisted in the Marine Corps right out of high school. “I was actually in boot camp when Sept. 11 happened. So, I joined before it all got crazy. But it all got crazy pretty quick,” he explained. “I deployed twice to Iraq as a crew chief on a helicopter, basically a door gunner.” Meyer shared that when he returned home after leaving the Marine Corps, he came home to what he termed a great situation. Despite that, he was struggling.

“It all kind of cumulated when I found myself standing in front of a judge one day,” Meyer shared. He explained that

the judge told him he needed to get some counseling and start working on himself or he was going to put him in jail. After completing his jail time Meyer did go to college. In fact, he received his master’s and decided to go to law school.

Despite having numerous offers for high paying attorney positions, he felt called to do something to support other veterans. “I started a nonprofit to give veterans free legal services and it was through that nonprofit and working with other vets in the community is how I connected with the other cofounders. We all kept running into the same things working with this population. Lack of services and a complete lack of

service for the homeless population,” Meyer explained.

Co-founder and Chief Projects Officer

Brandon Mixon was also looking for purpose and a way to serve veterans. But before that, he was simply trying to stay alive.

Mixon’s journey to joining the Army started as a way to find a way to belong. After completing his initial training, he became a Black Hawk mechanic and ended up at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with the 82nd Airborne. Mixon shared that he loved flying and the comradery he built with his fellow soldiers. In 2011, he volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan.

After arriving at Bagram Air Base, Mixon was unloading the C5 aircraft when one of the bags he tossed to another soldier caught on his uniform, pulling him three stories to the ground. “It was about three stories. I landed on my head and left shoulder,” he explained. Although Mixon thought he was fine after he got up, he began having issues with headaches and his shoulder falling asleep. He went to the doctor for his issues and was initially prescribed ibuprofen.

A handmade quilt adds a personal touch for residents.

During a combat flight, his shoulder was dislocated. He was medivacked to Landstuhl in Germany after doctors realized his shoulder issue was more severe than they had originally assumed. “I ended up going through testing and come to find out I had a traumatic brain injury,” Mixon said. He also had multiple crushed vertebrae and ruptured muscles in his shoulder.

While still at Landstuhl, two pilots he was friends with were shot down in combat. Although they survived, he began to feel guilt, thinking it was his fault because he wasn’t there to spot incoming artillery. “I started blaming myself,” Mixon said. His medical issues were so serious that he required extensive rehabilitation and cognitive therapy. Mixon was sent back to Fort Bragg, against his wishes to remain in Afghanistan.

Mixon began his treatment and was put on honor guard for funeral ceremonies. “That’s when it really hit me. I had never seen the aftermath,” he said. This also brought on even more guilt for him, he shared. When doctors then told him that because his needs were so extensive they were going to medically retire him, Mixon was devastated.

When Mixon’s Army career was ended, he admits that he spiraled. His wife had him on suicide watch because things got so bad. But then he got a call that would change everything. “Chris called me and said ‘Hey dude, do you have some extra money? We need to put a vet up in a hotel.’ This blew my mind because I thought all veterans qualified for benefits up until that moment,” he said. After that, he vowed he would never leave a veteran behind.

Mixon got together with Meyer, Vincent Morales, and Mark Soloman, and they decided to form their own nonprofit dedicated to veterans. Veterans Community Project was born.

“All they need is someone saying I have your back,” Mixon explained.

Meyer shared that if a veteran is worried about where they are going to sleep or how they are going to eat, they can’t focus on their mental health or any addiction struggles they may be facing. “We flip it, let’s start with the things at the immediate hierarchy of needs, and then we can focus on the underlying stuff because it’s the underlying stuff that really fixes homelessness. A roof over their head is just a patch,” he explained.

The solution VCP offers is to provide critical services through their walkin outreach center, which provides a one-stop-shop solution for almost every issue a veteran could face. They also offer transitional housing through their tiny homes. With both,

veterans receive the wrap-around services they desperately need to get back on their feet.

“The reason we are able to have an innovative entrepreneurial model is because we don’t rely on traditional sources of funding for what we do,” Meyer explained. “We are completely funded by individuals, corporations, and foundations. Without that support, we can’t do what we do.” VCP is now located in three major cities with a plan to expand to eight by 2022.

When Mixon was asked what he wants readers to know about VCP and what they are trying to accomplish, his words were simple: “Bryan and everyone, we all have this same mission: we aren’t leaving these guys behind.”

Photos courtesy of Alicia Steele

ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBER BUILDS

FITNESS APPAREL BRAND

FOR THE DRIVEN

By Andrea

While “no pain, no gain” is a well-worn adage among athletes, Born Primitive co-founder and CEO Bear Handlon launched his patriot-inspired fitness apparel company with the opposite goal in mind. Handlon created Born Primitive’s signature Snatch shorts while training for the 2013 Crossfit Games. The purposefully padded compression shorts solved a long-standing problem for weightlifters mastering the snatch that can be described in delicate terms as pain when the barbell meets the hips.

But the active-duty entrepreneur aspired to be more than a one-hit wonder in the performance apparel space. The Snatch shorts put Born Primitive on the map, but the company became a staple in the Crossfit community after debuting its first sports bra at the 2015 Crossfit Games and then broadening its lineup to include a wide range of functional and stylish athleisure wear.

“We really shifted our focus and put a huge emphasis on building out our performance apparel,” Handlon explained. “With people spending so much time in workout clothes these days, we wanted to develop products that could withstand brutal workouts while also being comfortable enough to wear all day long.”

Mission accomplished. Today, the Virginia Beach, Virginia-based company has a 1,200-item lineup sold online at www.BornPrimitive.com and through their international affiliates and retailers all over the world. Born Primitive also is a new addition to the GovX catalog of exclusive deals.

“We wanted to add Born Primitive because they’re an active-duty-owned brand with a strong following among

Downing Peck — SPONSORED

our community,” said Brent Hannify with GovX.com, the members-only site for military and first responders. “We have many veteran-owned brands, but Born Primitive is run by an active-duty service member, which we thought was very on-brand for a company devoted to discovering your inner strength and performing at peak physical fitness.”

Born Primitive’s tagline is “The apparel of the DRIVEN,” a reference to their target customers, whom Handlon describe as “modern savages” who reject this generation’s desire for “entitlements, quick thrills and instant gratification” and refuse to accept mediocrity.

“Whether it’s at the gym or in life, our beliefs are simple,” he said. “Set goals, relentlessly strive to achieve them and never make excuses.”

That mentality may help explain how Handlon has successfully combined entrepreneurship with active-duty military service. Handlon, who responded to questions via email while on military deployment, credits his “incredible” 32-member team at Born Primitive, many of whom are veterans or military spouses, for his ability to run a startup while serving on active duty.

“They are able to carry the weight when I’m off at the other job,” he said.

The family-owned business — Handlon’s former spouse Mallory and brothers Matt and Mike are co-founders¬ — was run out of the Handlons’ garage, then house, for the first three years of its existence. Born Primitive’s initial marketing campaign consisted of a pop-up tent pitched at Crossfit events.

“We funded this ourselves from day one and bootstrapped the hell out of it,” Handlon said, noting that

Born Primitive’s “scrappy, underdog mentality” has become part of the brand’s identity.

From the start, Born Primitive has pledged to be “more than an apparel company.” Company culture focuses on giving back to the military and first responder communities and to cancer charities. Since 2014, Born Primitive has donated nearly $1 million dollars in cash and apparel to charities, a total that includes a $186,000 contribution during their “Back the Gyms Stimulus” campaign designed for Crossfit gyms struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have to stand for something bigger and we must give back,” Handlon explained. “We won’t ever waiver on this. We want our customers to know their purchases and loyalty are going toward something bigger.”

Born Primitive’s culture is pivotal to the brand’s success.

“Culture is everything,” Handlon contends. “If you don’t have culture, then you don’t have a brand. You just have a product. People want to wear things that inspire them and align with what they stand for. You want your customer base to be proud of what it says across their chest.”

MILITARY CONNECTIONS

BRING TEENS HOPE

By Stephen Ruiz

Adams, then 16 years old, and her family were living in a homeless shelter in Virginia. Hanible, a retired Marine gunnery sergeant, showed up one day as the founder and CEO of Operation Heroes Connect, which pairs active-duty military members and veterans with at-risk youth.

They laughed, joked, and bonded, especially over their shared love of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

“Ever since that, we were real close,’’ said Adams, 22. “A bag of chips got me into the organization, basically.’’

In many ways, Operation Heroes

Connect is Hanible’s pride and joy.

Since she started the nonprofit organization in 2012, the services that it provides in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and northern Virginia have grown. Its staff and volunteers coordinate an annual summer camp for about 100 youths ages 8–17. (The camp was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.)

Operation Heroes Connect has provided meals for the homeless, organized school supply drives, and sponsored an Adopt A Family program for the holidays.

“Our kids have been — I guess you could say — subjected to all kinds of different backgrounds,’’ said Hanible, who estimates Operation Heroes Connect has impacted more than 1,000 youths. “We’ve had kids where both parents were incarcerated. We’ve had kids where one parent was incarcerated. We had kids who had a bum way and just going through this life of challenges. We try to be that listening ear for them.’’

A product of the foster-care system, Hanible was adopted by a woman who took in more than 40 other children in search of a home. Her background taught her about sacrifice and the importance of helping others in need, especially the young. The Chicago

Deja Adams met Tee Marie Hanible at a vulnerable time in her life.

native tried to volunteer while she was stationed in Quantico, Virginia, but the waiting lists for volunteers at charities that Hanible considered were full, leaving Hanible with nowhere to turn.

Well, not exactly.

“I ended up sitting up one night and doing Facebook posts [about], ‘What if I started my own nonprofit?’’’ Hanible said. “That received such a welcomed response that that’s what I decided to do.’’

Brenda Luz Johnson, who served in the Air Force from 1999–2019, has been with Operation Heroes Connect for four years. She directs the organization’s mentorship and girls camp programs.

Johnson, who rose to the rank of master sergeant, has been inspired by watching youths discover life skills, such as learning to tie a tie and basic hygiene and competing in teambuilding activities. She recalled a particular project in which the youths constructed boats out of cardboard and competed to see which one would float the longest in a nearby pond.

The mentors at Operation Heroes Connect don’t shy away from serious topics, either. One time, the youths gave each other advice on a range of subjects, including bullying.

“It was pretty powerful to see that,’’ Johnson said.

Hanible began Operation Heroes Connect, which she hopes to grow nationally, while on active duty. She retired from the Marines in 2016.

“I felt like I was incomplete after I came back from deployment,’’ Hanible said. “When you’re on deployment, every hour is accounted for. When you’re back, you find that you have a lot of empty space. … You want to fill that

space with positivity, so for veterans and [active-duty personnel], it gives that sense of still giving back after the uniform.’’

Adams is thankful for the woman she calls Miss Tee.

She was introduced to Operation Heroes Connect as a mentee six years ago and now is a volunteer.

“I’m a mentor,’’ Adams said. “I’m a personal assistant. I do it all.

“I don’t think I would have given up [if she had not met Hanible], but I would have been more on the verge of … In other words, yes. Yes, I do.’’

For more information, visit Operation Heroes Connect at OperationHeroesConnect.org.

17+

CHANGEMAKERS TO FOLLOW IN

2021 SOCIAL MEDIA

By Jackie Toops

Ty M Carolina – Tiye is a captain in the Army, vlogger, media personality, the entrepreneur behind the brand Carry On, and a cancer survivor. Her newest project is cohosting the TV show “Eat, Drink and Handle Your Business,” and if that wasn’t enough, she’s also studying to be a physician’s assistant. Follow Tiye on Facebook at Facebook. com/Makeda.T.Young and on Instagram @ TyMCarolina_

Patti Katter – Patti is the spouse of a combat-injured veteran and is on a mission to positively change policies for military veterans and their families. When she’s not meeting with politicians, she’s hosting the “Wake Up with Patti Katter” podcast. Patti is also the entrepreneur behind the brand The Patriotic Mermaid and is a talk show personality for the “The Decision Hour” podcast by Heroes Media Group. Visit PattiKatter.com and on Instagram @ PattiKatter.

David Carrera – David is a YouTube vlogger and the 2020 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year. He currently lives in Okinawa, Japan, where his Navy family is stationed, and David shows his audience glimpses of the world while living OCONUS. Follow his YouTube adventures at YouTube.com/ qbnto1 or on Instagram @qbnto1.

Krista Anderson – Krista is a Blue Star and Gold Star Spouse, the 2018 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year, and the founder of the nonprofit organization The Unquiet Professional. When Krista’s husband, Staff Sgt. Michael H. Simpson, passed she and her friend Andrea Rinaldi founded TUP to give back to the nonprofit community that supported the Simpson family. Krista is now dedicated to supporting our nation’s Gold Star Families. Follow her at TheUnquietProfessional. org and on Facebook at Facebook.com/ TheUnquietProfessional.

Army Wife 101 – This staple site was created in 2009 by Krystel Spell, arguably the “OG” of the military spouse blogging space. She began the Army Wife 101 blog when her husband was deployed for 18 months and has since helped more than 100,000 spouses in her online community. A serial entrepreneur, Krystel has created/co-created other initiatives to include the military discount site Retail Salute, the MakeHER retreat for military spouse entrepreneurs, and the military influencer management company Milspo Media. Follow Army Wife 101 on Facebook at Facebook. com/ArmyWife101 and on Instagram @ OfficialArmyWife101.

Milspouse Matters Podcast

– Jen McDonald is the creator of this podcast and both a veteran Air Force military spouse and an Air Force mom. She is the author of the book “You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse” and created her podcast to constantly encourage military spouses. You can check out Jen’s podcast and blog at JenMcDonald.net and on Instagram @MilspouseMatters.

Pinups for Vets – Gina Elise’s grandfather fought in World War II, and she created an initiative to support America’s hospitalized veterans while drawing inspiration from his era. She modeled after 1940s pin-up girls and created calendars to boost morale to deployed troops to deliver as gifts to sick and injured veterans, and to raise funds for hospitalized veterans. Visit PinUpsForVets.com and follow this fun and gorgeous account on Instagram @ PinUpsForVets.

Amanda Huffman – Amanda is an Air Force veteran who transitioned from the service to being a stay-at-home mom and an Air Force wife. She is the force behind the Airman to Mom blog, the “Women of the Military” podcast, and is the author of the book, “Women of the Military.” Amanda’s emphasis on women who have served the country is both insightful and informative. Listen to her podcast at Women-OfThe-Military.Simplecast.com and follow her on Instagram @AirmanToMom.

Make no mistake — the military community knows how to make things happen. Not only do we serve and hold down the homefront, but we are also entrepreneurs, authors, podcasters, advocates, bloggers, and lifestyle influencers as well.

White Walls – For those who want to turn their military house into a home after a PCS, this Facebook group boasts more than 112k followers sharing interior decor inspiration. Find White Walls at Facebook.com/groups/ whitewalls13, and be ready for a million home decor ideas to spruce up your base housing.

Military Wife Life (Australia) – Ever wonder how much we have in common with our allied military families? You’d be surprised! Founded by Beck, an Australian Defence Force wife of more than 18 years, her community connects, celebrates, and supports military families. Tune into Beck’s “Military Wife Life” podcast for honest content with Aussie accents! Visit MilitaryWifeLife.com.Au.

Marla Bautista – Marla is a military spouse, author, speaker, and a small business owner who is constantly advocating for change. She draws on her previous experience of homelessness as inspiration to connect to those in need and fuel to make a difference in her community. Marla’s organization, The Bautista Project, Inc., has been listed as a 2020 Top-Rated Nonprofit by GreatNonprofits. Follow Marla on Instagram @Marla.Bautista.Author or at MarlaBautista.com.

Moving with the Military – Military spouse and home decor guru Maria Reed is the powerhouse behind this home improvement series. She focuses on bridging the civilian/military divide through DIY events that empower military families. Follow Maria’s uplifting show, complete with surprise home makeovers, at MovingWithTheMilitary.tv and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MovingWithTheMilitary.

Soldier’s Wife, Crazy Life

– Julie is the National Guard spouse behind this long-standing, successful blog. She began writing in 2009 when her military family was stationed in Germany, and her community of milspouses has grown immensely. Soldier’s Wife, Crazy Life provides support for the military spouse through deployments, PCSing, and anything else the military lifestyle throws at us. Check out SoldiersWifeCrazyLife.com and follow Julie’s blog on Facebook at Facebook.com/ SoldiersWifeCrazyLife.

Military Saves – This nonprofit organization is dedicated to helping the military community take charge of their finances. Their all-military spouse team is on a mission to help service members, military families, and veterans save money, reduce debt, and build wealth. Follow Military Saves for money tips, free resources, and the Military Saves Pledge at MilitarySaves.org or on Facebook at Facebook. com/MilitarySaves.

Maxine Reyes – Maxine is a combat veteran, wife, mom, speaker, singer, and entrepreneur. She is an advocate for youth, women veterans, and dual-military couples. Maxine created the “Courage and Grace” podcast and co-authored the book “Happily Joint” with her husband, Ken. She is the force behind the “Ignite Your Confidence Conference” and the “Happily Joint® Weekend” getaway for couples that she co-hosts with her husband. Follow her at MaxineReyes.com or on Instagram @ MaxineReyesOfficial.

Homefront United Network

– Founded in 2010 by Army National Guard wife Angela Caban, HUN serves to provide resources and support to all military families of all branches, whether living on a military installation or not. Today, HUN bridges the gap between active duty and guard/reserve spouses and families by sharing real-life stories and issues we all face as a community. Check out HomefrontUnited. com and like their Facebook at Facebook.com/ HomefrontUnitedNetwork.

Jo, My Gosh! – Jo is a Navy spouse who began writing when her husband deployed to Afghanistan for a year. Her blog reassures that “You don’t have to do it by yourself” and is now one of the largest military spouse lifestyle websites online. Jo has built a supportive community around military life, relationships, care packages, and more. Check out her blog at JoMyGosh.com and follow her on Facebook at Facebook.com/JoMyGosh.

How to Milspouse – If you’re looking for information with a side of entertainment, check out this blog by three military spouses — Maggie Machado, Sarah Hershberger Valencia, and Jackie Dery. How to Milspouse tackles the general confusion of military life and as the founders describe, “They’re short on advice, but big on laughs.” Check out their blog at HowToMilspouse.com and on Facebook at Facebook.com/HowToMilspouse.

A Sailors Wife Blog – Kristal Leon is a military wife and mom who is also a lifestyle and travel blogger and a children’s book reviewer. She created A Sailors Wife Blog when her husband was deployed because she felt a need for resources, tips, and tricks to make her life easier, so she started a one-stop shop for other military spouses. Check out Kristal’s content at ASailorsWife.net and follow her on Instagram, with more than 28k followers, @ ASailorsWifeBlog. at

MilSpouse CoffeeHouse Podcast – With 10+ years of military spouse experience and more than 37k downloads, creators Leslie and Britni have stumbled onto something fun. They share stories, advice, and lessons learned, all while keeping it real and serving up laughs. Check out their podcast at Anchor. fm/Milspouse-Coffeehouse and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MilspouseCoffeehouse.

CADETS EARN RHODES SCHOLAR STATUS

By Stephen Ruiz

Shortly after the call ended, Evan Walker cried tears of joy.

Tyrese Bender still hardly can believe what he heard.

Zoom calls rarely elicit such responses, but Walker and Bender were justified in their reactions. The seniors at West Point learned through video conferencing in November that they were Rhodes scholars. Along with 30 other recipients from American universities, they will begin a postgraduate program at the

University of Oxford this fall.

“It meant so much, not only personally but also for all the people who invested in me to that point,’’ Walker said. “That was a win for everybody.’’

The Rhodes Trust, which has awarded scholarships since 1902, also chose Lillian Usadi of the Naval Academy and Aryemis Brown of the Air Force Academy among its honorees. Two

Rhodes scholars were picked from West Point for the first time since 2014.

The bond connecting Walker and Bender goes beyond academics.

They hail from Texas. Both are accomplished athletes — Walker is a nationally ranked boxer for Army’s club team, and Bender, a triple jumper and long jumper, competes for the track and field team. They have taken classes together.

Tyrese Bender

And as Black people, they were unnerved by the civil unrest that shook America after George Floyd, a 46-year-old Minneapolis man, died when a police officer kneeled on his neck last spring.

Bender said he had become numb to such incidents, but Floyd’s death felt different.

“A lot of times, because we’re in the military, it’s hard to have our voices heard on these politically aligned issues,’’ said Bender, whose parents served in the Army. “Unfortunately, it became politicized, but we just asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to ensure that we’re making change within the things and the people that we can touch?’’’

As the second-highest-ranking cadet at West Point, Bender, a deputy brigade commander, helped draft the academy’s inaugural diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy in 2020. He teamed with a small group of cadets, including Walker.

The strategy strove to formalize that cadets had a voice pertaining to matters in those three areas, set expectations for tracking data, and establish the right culture throughout West Point, Bender said.

Besides working on the inclusion strategy, Walker also served as a basic training commander for the Class of 2024. Both endeavors had similar messages, she said.

“You can be a soldier and a cadet while being exactly who you are,’’ Walker said. “You don’t have to change, and that’s something I learned during my time at the academy and embracing my blackness and my femininity. … For the minorities, they’re going into a predominantly white institution, so that might be unsettling. I wanted them to know that they can

prosper and they can succeed at West Point, just like I have.’’

Bender described Walker as authentic, resilient, and comfortable in her skin. Walker is impressed by how well-spoken Bender is, his caring nature, and his willingness to listen.

“He’s such a great guy,’’ Walker said. “That’s my good friend.’’

Bender is a captain for Army’s track and field program.

“He’s a sayer and a doer, and that’s hard,’’ coach Mike Smith said. “A lot of people say what they’re going to do, and fewer actually come through and do them. This young man is both of those things.’’

Walker, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in operations research at West Point, plans to study comparative social policy at

Oxford. After earning a diploma in engineering management, Bender will seek master’s degrees in sociology and evidence-based social intervention and policy evaluation.

“The biggest thing is just having an opportunity to inspire others and to make my life matter for the sake of others,’’ Bender said.

After her selection as a Rhodes scholar, Walker received an Instagram message from an eighth-grader, who stressed the impact it made on her. More than anything, both cadets don’t see themselves as special despite evidence to the contrary.

“Both of our messages and our life stories, we are not perfect and do not come from polished or super privileged backgrounds,’’ Walker said. “Anyone can do it as long as you work hard and have the right support system. It’s possible.’’

Evan Walker

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FROM PARATROOPER TO CTO —

HOW CHRIS WAYNE MADE HIS MILITARY TRANSITION A

SUCCESS

By Jessica Evans

The similarities between being a paratrooper and being a chief technology officer for a large company might seem slim on the surface. But both environments thrive on chaos, and in both settings, a person needs to be able to pivot, adapt, and react.

That’s what Chris Wayne, a former sergeant from the 82nd Airborne and CTO of Yahoo! Small Business, has learned over the last 20 years. Now Wayne is doing what he can to help make the path from service member to civilian easier for those leaving the military. He left the Army in 2000 and says that it took a lot of hustle to get to where he is now, but the main lesson he’s learned is that everything is transferable.

“No one was hiring ex-paratroopers to go blow stuff up, so I had to figure out where I fit into the ecosystem. I was in a new city, with new people, and at a new school,” he said.

Wayne immediately recognized that he needed to ditch his ego if he was going to be successful in the civilian sector. No one cared that he was a decorated soldier, so he had to find other ways to make himself stand out from competing job applicants, which was challenging since he didn’t have much civilian work experience. The military taught him to sink his teeth into a role and make it the best possible experience it could be.

“When you leave the military, you’re used to working really hard. Some of those habits die hard,” said Wayne.

In the military, that meant going full charge until the job was done, not complaining, showing up for work on time, and making sure rules were followed. Wayne initially struggled to find work because it felt like none of his paratrooping qualifications matched what civilian employers were looking for. Then he realized the job description had less to do with the actual description and more to do with how the job is done. Wayne calls this looking for the “how” and not the “what.”

“So for me, I wanted something I could sink my teeth into. I asked myself what are my strengths? Those are waking up early, paying attention to detail, solving problems under stress, and working well with anyone,” he said.

All traits and characteristics honed during his time with the 82nd.

“You don’t go to job interviews and say, ‘I’m going to show up on time and not complain and do everything and ask for very little money.’ You just don’t say that. But that’s kind of the role you’re looking for,” he said.

That line of thinking led Wayne to a tech career, which, he says, is a lot like being a paratrooper.

“I enjoy it because I love solving complex problems, leading teams, and I love the chaos of tech. There’s always something new that’s changing, just like being in the military,” he said.

Wayne is adamant that transitioning service members do several things before hanging up their uniforms for the last time.

“You need to be focused on the tools the military offers for a transition and be more deliberate and diligent about what a graceful exit looks like,” he said.

That means establishing a base network of peers and colleagues online and in-person and clarifying the division between professional and personal networks.

“What the world knows about you is up to you. You need to get professional fast. Make sure you have a professional email address. Don’t post controversial things within your professional network and manage your brand aggressively,” he said.

Finally, the most important thing a soon-to-be veteran can do is find a mentor and a way to give back.

“Having a mentor is having someone tell you when you’re wrong. You have to surrender yourself to not having an ego and accept you’re probably wrong most of the time. You have to go out on this journey of self-exploration to make sure you’re finding the right solution instead of just needing to be right,” said Wayne.

Wayne credits his success in tech and at Yahoo! Small Business because the company’s values align with his own. He urges veterans to explore their value systems and find companies that have similar approaches.

“One of the reasons I’ve been so successful is because of the alignment with Yahoo! Small Business and what I’m trying to accomplish personally are really similar,” he said.

Recently, Yahoo Small Business! has made all of its resources available for free. After YSB saw a spike in people wanting to open businesses, Wayne led the charge to create the kind of change he says the world needs.

“We said let’s give away our products for free and how about we generate some goodwill because it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

By Laura Kandewen

Writing became my safe haven growing up as a child — when you’re often seen but not heard and told to sit still way too often. So, I would escape into the writing walls of my journal, where somebody could hear my voice. Each journal captured my burning thoughts and questions that pierced through the mind of an immature child. As each year passed, my journals became a part of my life, documenting heartaches, pain, love, and despair.

When I joined the Army and eventually deployed to Iraq, my journals would follow me. I kept them in my cargo pocket, carrying them as part of my equipment. It was there, in the desert sand of Iraq, that I decided to turn my journals into a book. Because of the fear of dying and wanting to capture a moment in time that would last forever, I felt that my book would allow my voice to continue being heard even after serving in Iraq became a distant memory.

While serving in Iraq, I worked on my book every day from sunup until sundown, researching self-publishing and communicating with publishers in the United States. The information was overwhelming, but I became obsessed with the process. After my deployment ended, an author’s copy of my book was waiting for me at my home. I was finally a published author of my first book, “A Soldier’s Heart,” which I later renamed, “Sand Beneath The Sheets.”

Eventually, I took my final bow and retired from the Army, departing from the only world I had ever known for 23 years, and jumped into unpredictability and uncertainty with childish anticipation of what the real world would offer me. Once again, my journal was there to document every failed attempt of wrapping my mind around the separation anxiety of no longer being a part of the military. In my mind, I had succumbed to the

dreadful reality of being ordinary, one of many souls navigating in a world fixated on time, beauty, and wealth.

The admiration and curiosity had decimated once I was out of my combat boots, So, writing stories, whether fiction or nonfiction, helped me channel those feelings. Writing allowed me to take long, deep breaths even when the world forced me to prematurely breathe out of fear. Creating realities through my lens, where I can be seen and heard, brought my reassurance to a comfortable place of solitude.

So, if you are contemplating carving out your slice of solitude, then selfpublishing might be a promising avenue to get your words on paper. Everyone has a story to tell, especially in these uncertain times. The hardest part of writing a book is finding the time while still trying to fulfill life

obligations. Carve out the time, block out the world, and simply write!

It will take consistency and good writing habits on your part. Begin with a concept of ideas you want to cover in your book; this will give you a starting point to get the pen rolling and get the creative juices flowing. Research your topic; never assume or take for granted that the information you provide is enough to seal the deal; this also applies to topics you are wellversed in knowing.

Your goal is not to run a sprint while writing but rather to go at a medium pace to develop a good storyline. Find a good editor — and I do not mean a neighbor that scored high marks in an English class, because there are some things you should allocate your money towards, and an editor is one of them. If all else fails, write some more.

Army veteran shares how he became CEO of fastest-growing hot dog company in US

By Shelley Levitt

In February 2020, when former Army Capt. Joe Quinn began to hear about a new virus dubbed COVID-19, that could lead to a global pandemic, he went shopping. Never mind stocking up on toilet paper or hand sanitizer; Quinn was after a bigger purchase — a bulk order of beef from a meat processor.

That purchase proved critical in helping Feltman’s of Coney Island Hot Dogs, the veteran-owned-andoperated Gold Star family business Joe and his brother Michael launched in 2015, to not only survive what indeed turned out to be a worldwide pandemic but thrive. Feltman’s has experienced skyrocketing sales these past few months, strengthening its position as the fastest-growing hot dog company in the United States.

A West Point graduate, Quinn served two tours in Iraq, went on to earn an advanced degree in public policy

from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and then spent eight months in Afghanistan as part of the Counterinsurgency Advisory and Assistance Team (CAAT).

“Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart,” Quinn said. “The combination of leadership, resiliency, and determination that you gain from the military is really valuable in a start-up environment. One thing you learn is to always have a plan, however imperfect, and to have a strategy for anything you might face. So early in the pandemic we were talking about what would

happen if meat plants were exposed to the virus and forced to shut down. Because of that early beef purchase we were always able to meet our delivery orders to supermarkets and boost our direct-to-consumers e-commerce while some of our competitors ran out of product.”

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, the three Quinn brothers — Joe, Michael, and Jimmy — would often stroll the boardwalk of Coney Island, the seaside amusement district, with their grandfather. He’d regale his grandsons with tales of the firstever hot dog on a bun, created by a German baker named Charles Feltman, who sold them out of a pushcart on the dunes of the Coney Island Beach and, later, from the block-long Feltman’s Ocean Pavilion.

Feltman’s closed in 1954, and Joe, Michael, and Jimmy often talked about reviving the boardwalk favorite. Tragically, Jimmy, then 23, died on 9/11 in the World Trade Center attacks. It was in Jimmy’s honor that Joe and Michael launched the company.

As CEO, Quinn leads a team that has collectively served more than 100 months in combat overseas. Here are some key military training lessons that they apply daily:

Physicalize a plan. “The military instills a get-up-and-go attitude. That means when you come up with an idea, instead of getting caught up in a round robin of talk, talk, talk, you take action through concrete steps. Ask yourself, ‘How does this idea physically happen? How do I build it?’ Mike and I talked about starting Feltman’s at a bar one night, and by the next morning I already had the beginnings of a website.”

Recognize the difference between detail and rigor. “Rigor is focusing on the things that really matter to a business, rather than getting caught up in small details that have nothing to do with your bottom line. Right now, we’re looking for new office space so we can do our own order fulfillment. We’re touring seven different possible spaces in a day and evaluating factors like, ‘What’s the price point? Where’s the nearest UPS location? What’s the nearest subway stop?’ What we’re not paying much attention to are details like the color of the walls.”

Pursue solitude. “In business and in leadership a lot of things come at you. It’s important to get out of the battle rhythm of answering emails all day, take a step back, and collect your thoughts. That might mean getting out of the office and going for a walk, a run, a swim. I’ll sometimes say to my team, ‘Let’s take a time out to get some clarity.’ When you have that clarity,

you gain perspective — yes, starting a business is hard, but look at what we’re doing together — and that allows you to move forward purposefully.”

Embrace a “People First, Mission Always” philosophy. “If you’re taking a hill with your squad the Army saying ‘Mission First, People Always’ makes sense, but when veterans are back home, I think it’s important to reverse that. As a CEO, I put my team first, asking myself, ‘What can I do to make them successful?’ Because if you’re making your team successful the mission will take care of itself. And, after all, we’re not in Afghanistan and no one is shooting at us. We can always make more hot dogs in the morning.”

Give back. “Supporting the military veteran community is a crusade for my family,” Quinn said. Feltman’s philanthropic efforts include providing thousands of free hot dogs to medical professionals battling the pandemic on the frontlines; helping to raise awareness and funds for Task Force 22, the Infinite Hero Foundation’s suicide prevention initiative; and donating 100% of sales proceeds on holiday weekends to nonprofits like Tuesday’s Children, which supports families of 9/11 victims, first responders, and fallen military service members; TAPS (the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors); and Headstrong, a nonprofit that provides free mental health care to post 9/11 veterans.

“COPE” FOR POST-MILITARY SUCCESS

IN A VOLATILE MARKET

By Chad Storlie

Here is the career landscape that many, including myself, face today: you are a military veteran, running your own business or starting a second (third or fourth) career, and things aren’t going as well as you want. For each military veteran involved in their post-military career, we have all been there at least once and some of us several times.

No one, and I repeat no one, has an “easy” transition from the military, especially during a bad economy. Even when a veteran’s career is seemingly successful, interruptions such as COVID-19, government-ordered shutdowns, or corporate realignments interrupt career progress. The bottom line, all military veterans need to have plans to cope successfully with career interruptions.

Employing the acronym “COPE” provides some key pieces of advice for any military veteran from any rank, branch of service, or military occupation. Connections – Build a network dedicated to your success.

Options – Use back-up plans to ensure success inside chaos.

Purpose – Make personal purpose align with your career. Experiences – Learn as much from every experience you have.

Connections: During military-tocivilian transitions, advancing in a company, or joining a new industry, it is critical to create a group of people that are there for you with advice and support. Reaching out to mid-toupper-level executives with an e-mail title of “Military Veteran Seeks Your Advice” will be a game changer to build connections. Executives are often anxious to help veterans but do not know how. Additionally, social media platforms like Veterati, American Corporate Partners, and LinkedIn can help find and build connections. The key to career advancement is to reach out, accept advice, and learn.

Options: Anyone in business, government, education, or any other industry knows how much the world can change in six months. In the military, we created three to four backup plans for every operation involving casualty evacuation, a Quick Reaction Force, and ammunition resupply. Create the same back-up plans for your career. As an entrepreneur, if your primary customer cancels their contract, have back-up plans to replace the revenue. The key for career advancement is to never be surprised or lose your stride from a temporary setback. Always have a plan to move forward.

Purpose: Purpose is one of the most important and most underrated aspects of a fulfilling career. In the military, l was given challenging deployments, responsibility, great people to work with, and very exciting mission sets to master. In my civilian roles, I had none of the purpose the military gave me, and I missed it. Instead, I set out to recreate my own purpose. I taught college classes part time, I taught employees to be great in their roles, I learned new skills on my own, and I started to help military veterans more. Building your purpose in a post-military career is key for future success.

Experiences: I have great jobs post military, and I have had jobs post military that made me want to go back to the Mountain phase of US Army Ranger School. The key part of having bad civilian experiences is learning and a willingness to change. One job that I disliked with a bad boss gave me critical digital and analytical skills that are vital to doing my current job. Second, when I had a bad job, I did not complain; I strove to do a better job, and I looked hard for a new role. The key is to use every experience — good and bad — to build a strong future role.

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Connections, options, purpose, and experience, contained within the acronym COPE, are key for military veteran career progression during a very challenging economic period. Build a team, find and create career options, instill a strong sense of purpose in how you spend your time, and use every experience to build strong skills for an amazing career.