Episodes
If you’ve ever wanted to create a stream of passive income but aren’t sure how to get started, this episode is for you! Brent Bowers, Army Veteran, joins the podcast to share how he’s built a wholesale land company that had led to financial freedom for his family. Prior to separating from the military, Brent knew he wanted to pursue a career that would allow him to be more present with his wife and kids. With the success of his company, he’s been able to build a business that creates legacy...
Published 04/12/24
Sometimes we think of leadership as having formal authority over others, but in many cases it’s not so clear cut. In the military you’ve gained valuable skills and attributes that make you a great fit for a leadership positions, but sometimes it's hard to know how to apply those skills to a job outside of the military. Today’s guest, Debbie Collard, knew that struggle well. Debbie joined the Air Force right out of high school and after serving 5 years, she was ready to move on but didn’t have...
Published 03/18/24
Transitioning into the civilian workforce can be challenging, which is why a growing number of Veterans are choosing to ditch the 9-5 and create their own path by becoming business owners. JDog Brands is the largest Veteran owned franchise system in America, offering franchises exclusively to Veterans and Military family members. JDog’s established reputation, military foundation, proven business model, and low startup costs, make it a great opportunity for Veterans to become their own boss....
Published 01/17/24
Micheal Sittler, Air Force veteran and chair of Enbridge's Veteran Talent Resource Network, shares insights into his military background, career path, and Enbridge's unique culture and commitment to veteran hiring. In this podcast, Micheal discusses his military career, transition to civilian employment, and why Enbridge is a great place for Veterans to build a lasting career. Additional topics include: Challenges faced when transitioning from the military to civilian life Enbridge’s...
Published 12/01/23
If you’re looking to take the next step toward entrepreneurship but aren’t sure where to start, this episode is for you. Danielle Smith has a long family history of military service which led her to the National Guard nearly 12 years ago. In this episode she shares how she unexpectedly left a career in film and music production and now enjoys a life she could have only dreamed of as a successful business owner. Additional topics include: • Why Danielle joined the National Guard and how it has...
Published 05/01/23
Office Pride is an award-winning company looking for strong business leaders to help grow and expand its operations nationwide. The company has won many awards over the years, including Franchise Business Review’s Top Franchises for Veterans, Top Franchises for Women, Recession Proof Franchises, and many more. Tifton Coleman, Franchise Development Manager, and Kevin Scott, Franchise Owner, join the show to discuss their military backgrounds and why Office Pride is a great opportunity for...
Published 04/03/23
According to the US Census Bureau, 10.5% of all businesses are franchises, and approximately 14% of all franchisees are veterans. If you’ve ever been interested in franchise ownership but haven’t felt confident taking the leap of faith, today’s episode is for you! Bill Hoopes is a Navy veteran who defied all odds and is now living the life he always dreamed of. Bill dropped out of high school to help his single mom pay the bills, and after years of odd jobs, he enrolled in culinary school...
Published 02/13/23
Each day, FedEx delivers millions of packages all around the world. Founded in 1973, FedEx is one of the most admired brands in the world and one of the best places to work. As a people-first, global industry leader, FedEx offers training and advancement, educational assistance, and rewards for top performers in all job categories. Josh Link, a Marine Corps Veteran and Senior Project Management Analyst at FedEx Express, joins the podcast to discuss his military background and career with...
Published 12/06/22
US Foods is one of America’s largest foodservice distributors, helping more than 250,000 foodservice operators across the country succeed with their expert support, innovative food products and industry-leading technology. They maintain a workforce of 28,000 associates, 70 distribution facilities and more than 80 cash and carry locations. US Foods is just as committed to its employees as its customers, offering hybrid working models, employee resource groups, the ability to grow within the...
Published 11/08/22
If you’ve always wanted to achieve financial independence but aren’t sure how to get started, you’ve come to the right place! Today’s guest has a proven track record of achieving wealth for himself and helping others do the same! Christopher Nelson is the Co-Founder and Principal of Wealthward Capital, a private equity firm that helps people create wealth by investing in real estate. Over the years, Wealthward Capital has acquired more than 3,000 multi-family units and has achieved a...
Published 10/27/22
Some of our most popular episodes are those that focus on business ownership and achieving financial freedom. If this is a topic that interests you, you don’t want to miss this episode! Brent Bowers, Army Veteran and Real Estate investor, joins the podcast to take a deeper dive into his journey as an entrepreneur. Prior to separating from the military, Brent knew he wanted to pursue a career that would allow him to be more present with his wife and kids. His early success in real estate...
Published 09/26/22
If you’re just getting started in your career search and looking for a way to make a big impact, Orion’s Recruiter Development program can help launch your new career! The program offers a 3-week Recruiter Development bootcamp that will teach you all you need to know about Recruiting, and provide you with valuable resources to help you succeed. No recruiting experience is required, just effort, motivation, and the desire to learn! Ellie Walker and Ruth Ramirez, both military spouses, join...
Published 08/15/22
Finding purpose after leaving the military can be a challenge for many transitioning service members, but today’s guest is a perfect example of how combining your passion with hard work can lead to great success. Jordan Isham is a West Point graduate and currently serves as an Infantry Officer in the Army. When he made the decision to transition out of the military, he knew he wanted to grow a business that allowed him to use his wealth and resources to give back to communities around the...
Published 08/09/22
If you are a transitioning service member, SkillBridge is a great opportunity to build your resume, explore employment interests, and develop job skills that will help you prepare for your transition into the workplace. Orion Talent is a proud participant of SkillBridge, and we are offering a variety of remote internship opportunities across all areas of our business. Ben Mason and Tyler Werch are former Orion interns through SkillBridge. Tyler and Ben accepted fulltime positions with Orion...
Published 06/16/22
Everyone has their own definition of Financial Freedom, but regardless of how you define it, most of us don’t know exactly how or when we will get there. Jerremy Newsome, Author, Advisor, and Investing Guru, joins the show to discuss the basics of financial literacy and investing. Growing up poor, the thought of never having to worry about money was appealing to Jerremy. After learning about investing at the age of seven, Jerremy began picking blackberries and selling them door-to-door to...
Published 05/31/22
PCSing is one of the most challenging parts of military life, especially for military spouses who are trying to maintain their own career. To help ease the burden, Orion has partnered with PCSgrades, an online platform that supports the biggest relocation needs for military members, veterans, and military spouses through trusted community insights. Their comprehensive resources include detailed area guides, a BAH calculator, and more than 150 articles created by military spouses, veterans,...
Published 05/10/22
Transitioning into the civilian workforce can be daunting, which is why hundreds of Veterans have chosen the route of franchise ownership with JDog Brands - the largest Veteran owned franchise system in America. JDog's established reputation, military foundation, proven business model, and low startup costs, make it a great opportunity for Veterans to become business owners. JDog franchise opportunities include Junk Removal and Hauling, as well as Carpet Cleaning and Floor Care. Lillie...
Published 04/18/22
Ben Burt, Army Veteran, knew very little about franchise ownership when he transitioned out of the military. He considered a career in the medical field based on his military background, but quickly realized that his top priority was finding a career that would allow him the flexibility to spend more time with his family - which is what led him to become a franchise owner. Fibrenew specializes in the repair, restoration, and renewal of leather, plastic, vinyl, fabric, and upholstery. As a...
Published 04/05/22
During your military-to-civilian career transition it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the changes coming your way – from defining your future career goals, to understanding how to succeed in leadership, and everything in between. William Toti, author of author of the new book “From CO to CEO: A Practical Guide for Transitioning from Military to Industry Leadership,” joins the podcast to discuss his upcoming book and lessons learned Topics include: • The epiphany that led him to writing...
Published 03/14/22
Business ownership appeals to many transitioning service members and veterans because of the strong leadership skills you gained in the military. One way to become a business owner is through franchising. Franchise ownership allows you to join an established business with proven systems and processes to help you succeed, and can also provide a sense of camaraderie similar to what you experienced in the military. According to a study by the International Franchise Association, US Veterans own...
Published 02/16/22
One of the most important things you can do during your job search is knowing how to clearly show a Hiring Manager what value you’ll bring to their organization. A Hiring Manager’s goal is to make sure they are hiring top performers who will succeed in the position, and you can make the decision easier by demonstrating why you are the most qualified person for the job throughout each stage of the process. Amy West, Navy Veteran and Orion Recruiter, joins the show to discuss how to show a...
Published 12/07/21
If you’re looking for a career that rewards your hard work, allows independence and gives you the ability to help solve customer challenges, a career in Sales may be for you. There are very few careers that offer the income potential that sales careers offer, in fact, many companies offer unlimited potential. Whether you have prior experience or not, many of the skills you’ve gained in the military make you a great fit for a career in Sales. Bob Overbeek, Air Force Veteran and Director of...
Published 11/01/21
When you’re on the job hunt there are endless resources available that all promise success. From lists of interview dos and donts, resume templates, timelines to follow, books to read, and the list goes on. Chris Dove, a former Navy Nuclear Engineer turned seasoned Recruiter, joins the podcast to share his insight on 5 tried and true tips every job seeker can follow to jumpstart a lasting career. Topics include: • The importance of learning about yourself and crafting your story • How to...
Published 10/04/21
If you’ve ever wanted to pursue a career completely different than your military occupation but aren’t sure if you can succeed, today’s episode is for you! After serving as a dental assistant in the Army, Bruce Evans took a chance on a new career in the restaurant industry. He started as a waiter, worked his way up to Manager, and eventually landed in restaurant Franchise Sales. Even without prior experience in sales, Bruce was personally responsible for the sale of 450 Wing Stop franchises...
Published 08/30/21