Curtez Riggs is a retired Military Veteran who spent twenty-one years within the ranks of the US Army. A native of Flint, Michigan, he is a serial entrepreneur, community builder, and advocate for the military community. Today, he uses entrepreneurship as a tool to create economic opportunities for marginalized communities and underrepresented voices.
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Quick Episode Summary:
Curtez Riggs on building community, military transition, and authentic connections.
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Here are 3 key takeaways that really stood out:
🔗 Servant Leadership in Action:
Curtez intentionally stays “on the floor,” listening and connecting at the Military Influencer Conference (MIC). He focuses on learning others’ needs and bridging connections, emphasizing, “I want to be on the ground, I want to be connected, I want to solve problems and I want to make matches.”
🚀 Success through Nontraditional Paths:
His journey from hustling in Flint, collecting bottles for cash, to launching impactful ventures proves success isn’t always linear. “You can constantly reinvent yourself,” he says—encouraging us to trust our skills, embrace the hustle, and forge our own way.
🤝 The Power of Authentic Community:
Whether it’s the welcoming culture at MIC or his personal mentorship approach, Curtez shows that the real impact comes from creating access and breaking down barriers. “We like to be around heart-minded individuals… we have the heart to serve one another.”
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Time Codes:
00:00 Impact & Innovation
03:49 Military Influencer Conference: Connecting Hearts
08:12 Networking Strategy at MIC
12:25 Empowering Transitions Through MIC
16:03 Recurrent Military: Media for Service Members
19:07 Flint Lessons and Military Bonds
22:50 Mentoring Through Impactful Dialogue
25:57 Entrepreneurial Beginnings and Ventures
26:35 "Embracing Affiliate Marketing"
29:43 "Former Crypto Enthusiast's Tale"
33:26 "Seeking Role Models on TV"
36:10 Nostalgic 90s Reflection
39:23 Late Mentor's Impact on Perseverance
43:53 Continuous Self-Reinvention Mindset
47:20 From Divorce to Credit Repair
52:39 "Returning Home to Innovate Service"
53:42 Seeking Growth Through Storytelling
57:06 "Podcast Reflection Request"
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Episode 81: Kurt Warner – Perseverance, Humility, and Lighting the Way
Episode 90: Michelle 'MACE' Curran – How to Turn Fear into Fuel
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