In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Scott Mackes, US Naval Academy graduate, US Navy veteran, entrepreneur, investor, founding member of 10X Vets, and founder of the Service Academy Business Mastermind Group (SABM). Scott shares his journey from playing baseball at the Naval Academy and serving as a Surface Warfare Officer to navigating a challenging military transition and ultimately building multiple businesses.

Scott discusses how the CliftonStrengths assessment helped him better understand how he was wired, launch his first business, and discover his passion for bringing entrepreneurs together to succeed. He also shares the stories behind SABM, 10X Vets, and Academy Fund, and explains why surrounding yourself with the right people has been one of the most important lessons of his career.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• Navigating the transition from military service to entrepreneurship
• Discovering your strengths and finding the right career fit
• Turning side hustles into full-time businesses
• Leveraging networking and LinkedIn to create opportunities
• Knowing when to bet on yourself
• Building communities around shared goals and values
• Surrounding yourself with the right people

🎧 Subscribe to TheMilVet Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more conversations helping veterans succeed in business, leadership, entrepreneurship, and life after service.

#TheMilVet #TheMilVetPodcast #NavyVeteran #NavalAcademy #Veterans #MilitaryTransition #Entrepreneurship #VeteranEntrepreneurs #Leadership #CareerTransition #Networking

Thanks for listening!

Here's how you can find us to continue the conversation:

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
Follow us on Instagram at @themilitaryvet
Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter at https://www.themilvet.org/resources-for-veterans
Check out our video content on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@themilitaryvet

In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Nick Miller, Founder & CEO of Pellucid Network and US Army Veteran, to discuss his journey from growing up in a military family and commissioning through ROTC at Lehigh University to leading technology and marketplace initiatives at In-Q-Tel and AWS.

Nick shares how his experience in the Army shaped his approach to leadership, technology, and problem-solving, including his time at Arlington National Cemetery, where he helped lead a digital transformation effort and launched one of the Department of War’s first iPhone apps.

The conversation explores Nick’s transition from military service into the private sector, his six-plus years at AWS, and how he helped grow the public sector AWS Marketplace business from less than $15 million annually to nearly $4 billion. Nick also discusses why he left AWS to launch Pellucid Network, his vision for the future of enterprise marketplaces, and his mission to make it easier for innovative technology companies to sell into government and other highly regulated industries.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• Transitioning from the military into technology and business
• Translating military leadership principles into the private sector
• The importance of “showing up,” delivering on commitments, and communicating
• Starting necessary movement and continuously “improving the foxhole”
• Building a career through networking, mentorship, and exploration
• Finding the right culture and career fit after military service
• Navigating a high-performance culture at AWS
• Building and scaling technology businesses
• Making the leap from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship
• Helping veterans and paying mentorship forward
  
  

🎧 Subscribe to TheMilVet Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more conversations helping veterans succeed in business, leadership, entrepreneurship, and life after service.

#TheMilVet #TheMilVetPodcast #ArmyVeteran #Veterans #MilitaryTransition #Technology #AWS #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #CareerTransition #Startups #VeteranEntrepreneurs

Thanks for listening!

Here's how you can find us to continue the conversation:

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
Follow us on Instagram at @themilitaryvet
Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter at https://www.themilvet.org/resources-for-veterans
Check out our video content on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@themilitaryvet

In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Michael J. Padilla-Pagan Payano, Managing Partner and CEO of Al Thuraya Investments and a United States military veteran, to discuss his unconventional journey from military service to entrepreneurship and investment across the Middle East and Africa.

Michael shares his journey from growing up as a military brat and serving as an Air Force Combat Controller to transitioning into the Army and Special Forces, and ultimately leaving the military to build businesses and relationships across some of the world's most complex markets.

The conversation explores Michael's transition out of the military, including the challenges of leaving behind rank, responsibility, and a clearly defined mission. He discusses how failure, adaptability, problem-solving, and the ability to keep moving forward became foundational skills as he built businesses from the ground up.

Michael also shares lessons from operating across the Middle East and Africa, where relationships, reputation, cultural awareness, and simply showing up can be critical to getting things done. He explains why he believes “relationships are my net worth” and how his military background continues to influence the way he approaches entrepreneurship, leadership, investing, and building teams.

Listeners will gain insight into:
• Transitioning from the military into entrepreneurship and investment
• Translating military leadership and problem-solving skills into business
• Learning from failure and continuing to push forward
• Building relationships and reputation in international markets
• Understanding cultural differences when doing business overseas
• The importance of being present and showing up
• Hiring for critical thinking, character, and adaptability
• Building businesses in complex and uncertain environments
• Identifying opportunities through relationships and networks
• Applying military lessons to entrepreneurship and investing

🎧 Subscribe to TheMilVet Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more conversations helping veterans succeed in business, leadership, entrepreneurship, and life after service.

#TheMilVet #TheMilVetPodcast #Veterans #MilitaryTransition #Entrepreneurship #VeteranEntrepreneur #Leadership #PrivateEquity #VentureCapital #SpecialOperations #InternationalBusiness #MiddleEast #Africa

Thanks for listening!

Here's how you can find us to continue the conversation:

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
Follow us on Instagram at @themilitaryvet
Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter at https://www.themilvet.org/resources-for-veterans
Check out our video content on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@themilitaryvet