The Transition by Bunker Labs

What does it take to build a billion-dollar company? If you’re like most people, you probably assume it requires raising venture capital, building some sort of SAAS product, and scaling it to millions of users. The last thing you’d probably think of us is maxing out your credit cards to start a  manufacturing company that produces supplements stocking the shelves of your favorite PX or GNC store. Well,l that’s exactly what Marine Corps Veteran Marc Krauthhamer and his Co-Founder of AMP Neutraceuticals are doing. On the show, Marc takes his armor off and shares how he racked up hundreds of thousands of dollars in credit card debt, to bootstrap his multi-million dollar manufacturing company, producing high-quality and high-volume dietary supplements for some of the most well-known brands in the industry, with the ultimate goal of being billion dollar company one day.Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn More about Bunker Labs by visiting: www.BunkerLabs.orgLearn more about AMP Neutraceuticals here: http://www.ampnutra.com/

With another year in the books and another one head, have you thought long and hard about what you’re hoping to accomplish in the next twelve months? Either way, today’s episode is for you. Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn More about Bunker Labs by visiting: www.BunkerLabs.org

In this episode of the Transition, I catch up with Navy Veteran Lee Mills, Founder & CEO of Pixly,  a visual documentation & collaboration platform for Construction, Insurance, Facilities and Field Service Professionals. In 2022, Lee won the Veteran Funds 100k Pitch Competition at the Military Influencer Conference. Since then, Lee and I frequently chat back and forth online, talking about the struggles of entrepreneurship and what’s keeping us up at night. Between raising funding, managing his development team, and navigating long sales cycles, Lee shares brings an honest point of view, on what it takes to launch and grow a successful startup on today’s show. Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgTo learn more about Pixly visit: https://www.pixly.ai/

In this episode of the Transition, I sit down with Patrick Mate, Army Veteran and Founder of Patriot Jean Company, An Arizona-based American-made apparel company that produces 100% grown, sewn, and built Jeans. Manufacturing is a hard business, but that’s not stopping him. Although he’s still in the startup phase, Patricks invested over six-figures to bring his American-made brand to life, which officially launches in a few weeks with their two products, the Defender and the Innovator. I invited Patrick on the show to share his story and why he thinks American-made jeans represent a golden opportunity. Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgTo learn more about Jeff, visit:  https://www.thayergateproject.com/

In this episode of the Transition, I share a simple framework to set you and your team up for success heading into the new year. Be sure to subscribe to the Transition Newsletter on Substack here: https://bit.ly/37Bb8NeOrder my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg

Today on the Transition, I challenge conventional wisdom by challenging you to build a better mouse trap (i.e. build upon an existing product or service already in the marketplace) rather than trying to come up with market a new idea out the gate, especially if you’re a first-time founder or find yourself in a bit of a revenue lull. Apply for the next cohort of Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship here: https://bunkerlabs.org/breaking-barriers/Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgCheckout “The Entrepreneur's Playbook: More Than 100 Proven Strategies, Tips, and Techniques to Build a Radically Successful Business by Leonard C. Green here: https://tinyurl.com/5cpznb3h

One topic that consistently comes up in my conversations with aspiring entrepreneurs is pursuing entrepreneurship through acquisition, a fancy way of saying buying a business as opposed to building one from scratch. There’s an old saying that, “There are multiple ways to skin a cat,” and as great as it is to start a business, buying one can be just as impactful. To discuss the process, I invited on the Transition, Jeff Evenson, an Army Veteran, Business Coach, and Acquisition Entrepreneur, with experience purchasing multiple businesses, as well as working with others to do the same. Over the years, Jeff’s acquired hair salons, a pillow company, and a manufacturing business, just to name a few. On the show, we discuss why buying a business may or may not be a right fit for you, how to spot a good deal, and what pitfalls you should avoid along the way.Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgTo learn more about Jeff, visit:  https://www.thayergateproject.com/

In this episode of the Transition, I discuss how to survive and thrive during tough times using Jim Collin’s Framework of the Twenty Mile March.Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg

In this episode of the Transition, I’m joined by Marine Corps Veteran and Chicago Bunker Labs Ambassador, Patryk Stanczak, Founder & CEO of GeekHeros, a digital marketing agency providing a plethora of services from website and logo design, to SEO support and beyond. I met Patryk a few years ago online and we finally caught up in-person at the Bunker Labs Ambassador Fly-In down in San Antonio, TX. Specifically, I asked Pat to come on the show and talk about his transition from an Enlisted Marine to Entrepreneur and leader within the Bunker Labs Community. Since discovering the Bunker, I feel like Pat has taken the torch and run it, not only supporting the community through free website audiences, but also just being a trusted resource on all things digital marketing. On the show we talk through his Transition, what keeps him sticking around, and what he’s looking forward to next.Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn more about Geek Heros here: www.Geekheros.com

In the following episode of the Transition, I’m joined by Army Veteran, Published Author, and Serial Entrepreneur, Mike Erwin, Founder & Executive Director of Team Red, White, and Blue. Founded in 2010, Team RWB is a nonprofit organization with chapters all across the country, that delivers consistent, local opportunities for veterans and the community to connect through physical and social activity. Team RWB was one of the first veteran nonprofits I came across back in 2017, just after getting connected with Bunker Labs. Mike is also the co-author of multiple books, including Lead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude and Leadership is a Relationship: How to Put People First in the Digital World. On the show, Mike and I discuss the origins of Team RWB, including the importance of physical fitness, leading yourself first, and why life is a team sport. Make sure you have some pen and paper handy for this episode, in order to write done the multiple gems Mike drops throughout the show. Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kgLearn more about Team Red, White, and Blue here: https://teamrwb.org/Purchase Mike's books here: https://rb.gy/ol0bc