DogTags to Ownership
DogTags to Ownership is the podcast designed for military members and veterans ready to transition from service to success in business. Whether you’re considering entrepreneurship for the first time or are already on the path to business ownership, this show provides the tools, insights, and inspiration you need to thrive. Hosted by U.S. Army Officers Julie Austin and Matthew Cain, we explore the unique strengths veterans bring to the entrepreneurial world, share actionable advice from experts, and feature inspiring stories of those who’ve successfully made the leap. Tune in to transform your military experience into a foundation for innovation, resilience, and business leadership. #DogTagsToOwnership #VeteranEntrepreneurs #MilitaryToBusiness #VeteranOwnedBusiness
Episodes
In Episode 29 of DogTags to Ownership, Matt and Julie sit down with Christopher Mckinney - Retired U.S. Army Veteran and Founder of OpSynergy - to dive into his powerful journey from the frontlines to founding his own business. Christopher shares how the core principles of project management, strategic certification, and strong mentorship helped shaped his path to entrepreneurship.
This episode is packed with valuable...
In this episode of DogTags to Ownership, we sit down with Sean Loosen, a U.S. Army veteran and West Point graduate who took the lessons of leadership, discipline, and grit from the infantry field to the forefront of the optical industry.
As the Owner and CEO of PDS Optical, Sean shares how his military background shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, the challenges of scaling a specialized manufacturing company, and why ...
In this episode, Wesley Hutchinson shares his inspiring journey from being a United States Marine Corps veteran to becoming a successful entrepreneur with his business, Whiskey Run Customs. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from military life to civilian life, the importance of community support, and the growth of his woodworking business. Wesley emphasizes the significance of pursuing one's passion an...
In this special recap episode, Julie and Matt connect the dots across Episodes 23 to 25, highlighting how each guest embodies the power of transforming service into impact. From Leroy Roberts, Founder & CEO of Team Worth Solutions, to Kimberly Jung, CEO of Blanchard House, and Patrick Flood, Founder & CEO of Owners in Honor of — these veterans are leading with purpose, building businesses, and creating real-wo...
In this episode of DogTags to Ownership, hosts Julie and Matt sit down with U.S. Army veteran and the visionary Founder and CEO of Owners in Honor. Patrick shares his remarkable journey from serving in the Army Reserves to answering the call to active duty after 9/11—and how those formative experiences ignited his passion for service beyond the uniform.
Now, through Owners in Honor, Patrick is on a mission to help vete...
In Episode 24 of DogTags to Ownership, Julie and Matt sit down with the incredible Kimberly Jung — West Point graduate, Army veteran, Harvard Business School alum, and serial entrepreneur. Kimberly shares her remarkable journey from leading convoys in Afghanistan to co-founding Rumi Spice, a company that empowers Afghan farmers and women by bringing premium saffron to the global market.
She also reflects on her time as...
In Episode 23 of DogTags to Ownership, hosts Matt and Julie welcome Leroy Roberts—a dynamic veteran, leadership strategist, coach, author, and non-executive director. With nearly two decades of service spanning the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the British Army, Leroy brings a unique global perspective
Leroy dives into:
- His transition from disciplined military service to becoming a sought-after C‑suite team leader...
In this powerful recap episode, Julie and Matt reflect on three incredible conversations that brought heart, grit, and strategy to the forefront of veteran transition.
They revisit:
- Episode 19 with Barrett Bogue of Evocati PR
- Episode 20 with Jerry Arteaga of Valor Exterior Partners
- Episode 21 with Joshua Cantrell of MVMT Financial
Julie and Matt go deeper on two themes that connect all three stories: Purpose and I...
In this compelling episode, we sit down with Joshua Cantrell, a retired U.S. Army veteran and the founder of MVMT Financial. With over two decades of military service, Joshua brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the unique financial challenges faced by veterans and their families.
Joshua shares his journey from military life to entrepreneurship, highlighting how his passion for service led him to e...
In this powerful episode of DogTags to Ownership, we sit down with retired Special Forces Sergeant Major Jerry Arteaga, now CEO of Valor Exterior Partners and board member of Owners in Honor. Jerry shares his journey from leading elite teams in combat to leading crews in construction, showing how the values forged in service—discipline, grit, and honor—translate directly into entrepreneurial success.
We explore:
- How...
In this episode of DogTags to Ownership, we sit down with Barrett Bogue, former Marine and founder of Evocati PR -- a public relations firm on a mission. Barrett shares how his military background inspired him to build a communications agency that goes beyond the bottom line, offering cost-efficient strategies to activate and inspire underserved communities. From veteran advocacy to social impact storytelling, learn h...
Recapping Three Powerful Stories & Matt’s Raw Transition Journey
In this special recap episode, Matt and Julie reflect on the last three impactful interviews with John & Mitchell of High Country Living, Wendy Brinson of The Goddard School in Stafford, and Zac Staples of Fathom5. Each conversation brought powerful insights on building purpose-driven businesses after military life—and we’re bringing the highlight...
In this episode of DogTags to Ownership, Matt and Julie sit down with Zac Staples, founder and CEO of Fathom5, a company at the cutting edge of cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing for critical infrastructure. Zac shares his journey from a career in the Navy to launching and scaling a tech-driven business, the lessons learned in leadership, and how military skills translate into building high-performance teams in ...
In this inspiring episode, Matt and Julie sit down with Wendy Brinson, retired Army veteran and powerhouse entrepreneur, who now owns and operates one of the top-performing Goddard Schools in the country, located in Stafford, VA. Wendy shares her incredible journey from military service to building a thriving early childhood education center, the lessons she’s carried over from the Army, and how she’s creating a lasti...
In this episode, we sit down with John and Michele Swart — a powerhouse duo redefining what life after service looks like. From John’s distinguished career as the NC National Guard’s Command Sergeant Major to the couple’s thriving ventures in real estate, short-term rentals, a tree farm, and their High Country Living YouTube channel — they’ve built a life rooted in purpose, family, and community.
We talk about:
- Tran...
In Episode 14, Matt and Julie sit down to reflect on the powerful insights and inspiring journeys shared in our last three episodes. We revisit key takeaways from Helen Perry of Dust Off Global, Kristen Kavanaugh of the Agency Initiative, and Freddy “Showbiz” McDuffy of K-FY Productions—each a force in their own space, bringing passion, purpose, and drive to their ventures after military service.
But that’s not all—thi...
In this episode of DogTags to Ownership, Matt and Julie sit down with Freddy "Showbiz" McDuffy, whose story is a testament to reseilience, leadership, and passion. Freddy shares his journey from serving in the Army Entertainment Detachment to achieving his goal of becoming a company First Sergenat. He opens up about his mental health struggles along the way and how he found strenght through his love for ente...
In Episode 12 of DogTags to Ownership, Matt and Julie sit down with Kristen Kavanaugh, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Marine Corps Officer who served five years before transitioning to the corporate world. Kristen quickly rose through the ranks at Tesla, where she honed her leadership skills and made a lasting impact. Today, she is a sought-after advisor, speaker, and author, helping organizations foster inc...
In this episode of DogTags to Ownership, we sit down with Helen Perry, a former Army nurse turned entrepreneur and leader. As the founder of Dust Off Global, Helen has dedicated her post-military career to providing critical healthcare consulting in austere and war-torn environments. But her impact doesn’t stop there. She also served on the board of a nonprofit, leading it from financial distress to stability—all whil...
In this episode of DogTags to Ownership, Julie and Matt sit down with Michael and Dolly, retired Army Veterans who served in the Judge Advocate Corps before diving into the world of entrepreneurship. After years of service, they turned their passion for spirits into The Bar Book App, an innovative app that builds users' flavor profiles and connects them with spirits and drinks tailored to their tastes.
Join us as...
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