Build Your A-Team

What if the real value of the smoke pit was never the cigar, but the people sitting beside you?In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry and co-host Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent (‪@FreddieJKim‬) sit down with Joey Mac Dizon, Marine Corps Veteran and co-founder of ‪@themobilecigarlounge‬ to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, mentorship, and recreating the camaraderie Veterans often miss after service.Joey explains how the military smoke pit helped inspire a business centered on bringing people together. From weddings and corporate events to Veteran gatherings, The Mobile Cigar Lounge uses cigars as a vehicle for something bigger: creating memorable experiences where people slow down, talk, and build genuine relationships.Joey also shares how Veteran entrepreneurs helped him when he was starting out and why he now feels a responsibility to reach back and help others. The conversation covers hiring, understanding different personalities, building culture, and why leaders should give good people room to execute instead of micromanaging them.In this episode:• How the military smoke pit inspired The Mobile Cigar Lounge • Turning camaraderie into a Veteran-owned business • Why mentorship matters for Veteran entrepreneurs • Building relationships without making them transactional • Using behavioral assessments to strengthen teams • Why Joey avoids micromanagement • Learning from both great and poor leaders • Recreating the connection Veterans often miss after service 

They said she was too junior. Too young. Not ready for the leadership role. Then Roslyn Davis let the results speak for themselves.In this episode of Veteran Led, Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent (‪@FreddieJKim‬) sits down with Roslyn Davis, Air Force Veteran and President and CEO of RoDa Business Solutions, to discuss resilience, government contracting, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to keep moving when others doubt you.Roslyn served 24 years in the Air Force, working in logistics planning and coordinating deployments and redeployments. After retiring from military service, she spent three years as a government contractor before moving into federal civil service, including a position on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. She eventually retired again and took on a new challenge: entrepreneurship.Roslyn explains how the military taught her to respond to setbacks with action instead of complaints. She also shares how RoDa Business Solutions helps organizations through business process improvement, strategic planning, change management, workforce development, leadership training, and executive coaching.In this episode:• Proving yourself when others question whether you belong • How 24 years in the Air Force built resilience • Moving from military service to government contracting and entrepreneurship • Leadership lessons from managing complex military operations • Why entrepreneurship requires perseverance • Finding the right teaming partners in government contracting • Building relationships instead of transactional partnerships • Why the Veteran entrepreneur community feels like a family • Looking beyond someone's success to understand the struggle behind it 

Drugs. Juvenile detention. Then the Army. Andrew Vose's path to entrepreneurship didn't follow the traditional playbook.In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry and co-host Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent (‪@FreddieJKim‬)  speak with Andrew Vose (‪@andrewmvose‬), Army Veteran, entrepreneur, and real estate leader, about the experiences that changed the direction of his life and what happened after military service.Andrew's Army career took him through Ranger Battalion and Special Forces support, giving him a firsthand look at leadership in demanding environments. After leaving service, he carried that problem-solving mindset into recruiting, real estate, entrepreneurship, and business acquisition. He now leads a network of more than 1,000 real estate agents.But the path wasn't all wins. Andrew discusses losing more than $200,000 on an investment, watching a business he expected to grow fall apart, and learning how to keep moving when the original plan fails.The conversation also explores leadership, purpose, proximity, risk, and Andrew's approach to using AI to build more efficient businesses.In this episode:• Andrew's path from drugs and juvenile detention to the Army • Lessons from Ranger Battalion and Special Forces support • Transitioning from military service into entrepreneurship • Growing a real estate network to more than 1,000 agents • Losing more than $200,000 and rebuilding after failure • Why strong leaders create opportunities for others • Andrew's "2 Ps": proximity and purpose • Using AI to improve business operations • Building and acquiring companies with the end goal in mind 

Military service may end, but the drive to serve others does not.In this episode of Veteran Led, guest host Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent ‪@FreddieJKim‬ sits down with two accomplished Veteran entrepreneurs: Chris Larkin, retired Air Force Veteran and CEO of LMR Technical Group, and Rudy Cazares, Marine Corps Veteran, founder of Cazar Logistics, and professional Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) Implementer.Chris discusses his 28-year military career and how staying connected to the mission helped him transition into government contracting, business development, and entrepreneurship.Rudy shares how he left the Marine Corps, entered corporate America, and eventually built a rapidly growing logistics company in New York City. Starting with eight drivers and five vehicles, his operation has grown to more than 200 drivers and bikers supporting Amazon, FedEx, HelloFresh, and local communities.The conversation explores scaling, leadership, mentorship, work-life integration, artificial intelligence, and the role Veteran networks play in helping entrepreneurs succeed.In this episode:• Transitioning from military service into entrepreneurship • Scaling companies without losing the mission • Building and developing high-performing teams • Using EOS to create structure and accountability • Continuing to serve after leaving the military • Mentoring other Veterans and entrepreneurs • Balancing business growth with family priorities • Using AI to improve business efficiency • Why Veteran networks help shorten the transition process 

How do you build a real estate company that puts mission before commission?In this episode of Veteran Led, Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent ‪@FreddieJKim‬ talks with Senior Chief Petty Officer Travis Winfield, U.S. Navy (Ret.), founder and CEO of Military Operated Real Estate (MORE), about building a nationwide network of military-affiliated real estate professionals dedicated to serving Veterans and military families.Drawing on 24 years of Navy leadership, Travis explains how MORE is raising the standard for real estate through specialized training, peer accountability, and a commitment to educating Veterans about the benefits they've earned. He also discusses leadership, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and why helping Veterans build wealth through homeownership is central to his mission.Whether you're transitioning from military service, interested in entrepreneurship, or preparing to buy or sell a home, this episode offers practical leadership lessons and a fresh perspective on serving those who served.In this episode:• Building Military Operated Real Estate (MORE) • Why Travis calls MORE the "Special Forces of Real Estate" • Leadership lessons from 24 years in the U.S. Navy • Mission before commission in business • Financial literacy and Veteran homeownership • Educating Veterans on VA home loan benefits • Creating a nationwide network of trusted military-affiliated agents

How do you build a meaningful career after military service while staying true to your purpose?In this episode of Veteran Led, Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent ‪@FreddieJKim‬ speaks with Stephanie Glover, Air Force Veteran, HR executive, speaker, and author about leadership, career transitions, and the journey from human resources to published author.Stephanie shares how her military experience shaped her approach to leadership, talent development, and mentoring others. She explains why authenticity, resilience, and continuous learning have been central to her success and how writing became another avenue to inspire and empower people.The conversation also explores leadership development, navigating career changes, overcoming challenges, and why investing in people is one of the greatest responsibilities of any leader.🎙 In this episode:• Transitioning from the Air Force into HR leadership• Leadership lessons from military service• Becoming an author and sharing your story• Why authenticity builds stronger leaders• Career growth and continuous learning• Helping others succeed through mentorship

What does effective leadership actually look like — and how can organizations develop leaders who build trust, accountability, and performance?In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry and co-host Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent (‪@FreddieJKim‬)  speak with Stephen Hartz, founder of H&H Leadership Solutions, about leadership development, accountability, and building strong organizational cultures.Stephen shares practical leadership lessons learned throughout his career, explaining why self-awareness, communication, and accountability are critical to long-term success. He discusses how leaders can build trust, develop people more effectively, and avoid common pitfalls that prevent teams from reaching their potential.This conversation is packed with insights for leaders, business owners, Veterans, and anyone responsible for developing teams and driving performance.🎙 In this episode:• Leadership lessons from decades of experience• Why accountability drives organizational success• Building trust within teams• Leadership coaching and development• Creating high-performance cultures• Avoiding common leadership mistakesGuest Links:LinkedIn:   / stephenhartzhhleadership  Website: https://hhleadershipsolutions.com/

Freddie Kim sits down with friend and mentor Bill Watkins (USMA '77) — Army Veteran, former corporate executive, and entrepreneur who built and sold his own company after 20 years. Today, Bill leads The Lions Pride and Alpha Forge, helping Veteran Founder-CEOs reach their highest potential.  Bill has spent years coaching Veteran Founder-CEOs from the top 1% to the elite 0.01%, and he shares the battle-tested tools he uses to do it: the one-page business plan, the Alpha Forge progression, and why business excellence means nothing if you don't master your life alongside it. If you're a Veteran entrepreneur, a Founder-CEO grinding solo, or a leader who refuses to sacrifice family for the business – this one is packed with real tools.#VeteranLeadership #FounderCEO #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessExcellence #OperatorMindset🎙️ The Build Your A-Team (BYAT) Podcast spotlights Veteran leaders building teams with resilience, clarity, and impact. Hosted by Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent.🔔 If this episode helped you level up your team: like, subscribe, and share with a Veteran leader who needs it.Connect with our guest:🎖 West Point Graduate (USMA '77) & Army Veteran.🦁 Founder of The Lions Pride – coaching Veteran Founder-CEOs from the 1% to the 0.01%.🏆 Built and sold his own company after 20 years.🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/theoldgradcoach🏢 The Lions Pride: https://www.thelionspride.com/about📘 Resources:One-Page Personal Plan — "you're not leaving something, you're running to something""I have / I am" vs. "I will" — Bill's language test for spotting drift

How do organizations build teams that actually perform — and why do so many leaders struggle to hire effectively?In this episode of Veteran Led, Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent ‪@FreddieJKim‬ speaks with Veteran and HumCap founder & CEO Tad McIntosh about leadership, hiring, talent development, and building strong organizational cultures.Tad shares practical insights on hiring strategy, accountability, and why successful organizations prioritize people just as much as performance. He explains how leaders can improve communication, align teams more effectively, and build environments where individuals are empowered to grow and contribute.This conversation also explores leadership development, workforce challenges, and how organizations can create sustainable cultures that drive long-term success.🎙 In this episode:• Leadership lessons for building strong organizations• Hiring strategies and talent development• Why culture drives performance• Building accountability within teams• Communication and trust in leadership• Aligning people with organizational growthGuest Links: Website: https://humcapinc.comWebsite: https://humcaphr.com

What does leadership look like after the uniform — and how do you continue to serve your community?In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry and co-host Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent ‪@FreddieJKim‬ speak with Ron Moore about leadership, service, and building lasting impact beyond military life.Ron shares insights on how Veterans can continue to lead in their communities, emphasizing the importance of accountability, engagement, and purpose. He explains why leadership doesn’t stop after service — it evolves into new opportunities to serve, mentor, and build.This conversation highlights how Veterans can take ownership of their next mission, create meaningful change, and stay connected to the communities they serve.🎙 In this episode:• Leadership after military service• Building community impact and engagement• Translating military experience into civilian leadership• The importance of accountability and purpose• Creating opportunities to continue serving• Leading beyond the uniform