popsmoke.net/17 - Josh’s a recently transitioned Naval Officer. Prior to transitioning out of the military, he worked with the CNO’s Rapid Innovation Cell. He holds a degree in History from the University of Chicago and a Masters in International Relations and National Security from Georgetown University. He also studied Imperial History at the University of London. In 2007, he completed the NOLS Desert Survival course. Currently, he’s the founder of Penance Hall. I met Josh at The...

popsmoke.net/16 - Sonny served in the Army as an Air Defense Artillery Officer. Before becoming an Artillery Officer, he attended West Point where he studied Psychology and Systems Engineering. Sonny’s a serial entrepreneur who is now working on his 5th venture — Limelight. His son’s name is Bugatti and his life can be summarized in two words; heart and hustle. You can check out Limelight on the App Store here: popsmoke.net/limelight In today’s episode, Sonny Tosco answers: - What’s one...

popsmoke.net/15 - Sy served 11 years in the Air Force. He has 30 years of experience in the security industry, traveling to more than 70 countries on 6 continents, protecting numerous CEO's of Fortune 500 companies. He's a speaker who has a big upcoming TEDx talk scheduled. He credits his speaking skills to a 14 year career in Professional Wrestling. During that time, he appeared in several movies, such as “The Silence of the Lambs”, "Lorenzo’s Oil” and “Dead and Alive.” Currently, Sy's...

popsmoke.net/14 - Kelly Perdew, top veteran entrepreneur and angel investor, loves the challenge of starting and growing businesses. Kelly served in the Army as an Intelligence Officer and later graduated from Ranger school. He won Donald Trump's 2nd Season of The Apprentice. Author of Take Command: 10 Leadership Principles I Learned in the Military and Put to Work for Donald Trump. Serial angel investor, investing in more than 20 companies. Father of beautiful twins. And currently, the...

popsmoke.net/13 - Dan serves as the CEO of Unite US, a technology company in New York, and is an Air Force Reserve Pilot. Prior to that, he graduated #1 in U.S. Air Force Flight School. He has worked at a venture capital firm located in NYC; investing in disruptive early stage technologies and driven entrepreneurs. He holds a degree in Political Science and Government from Yale University and an MBA from Columbia Business School. In today's episode, I ask Dan: - Can you share with the...

popsmoke.net/12 - Jason, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, served in numerous different billets throughout his 20 years of service in the Army. Intelligence. Logistics. Operations. Project Manager. Platoon Leader. You name it this guy's done it. He attended the U.S. Army Command & General Staff School and holds a degree in International Relations from California State University, Sacramento, and a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of South Florida. Currently, he's...

popsmoke.net/aar1 - Matt's a Marine Corps veteran with a logistics background. Prior to that, he attended the Naval Academy where he wrestled and studied Quantitative Economics. While in the Marine Corps he created the Total Pay app, and currently is making his dream come true starting, building, and growing PopSmoke. In today's episode, Matt answers: - What made you want to start PopSmoke? - How long has it taken you to get where you are today? - What's one mistake you have made starting...

popsmoke.net/11 - Jillian is a Marine Corps spouse who has worked as a Family Readiness Assistant at Camp Lejeune, NC. She's a motivated, hardworking and enthusiastic entrepreneur with a love for fitness, nutrition and baking. She holds a degree in Russian Business from Moscow State University and a degree in International Relations from the University of the Pacific. Jillian has designed a business that allows her to pursue her passions and create a positive impact on the...

popsmoke.net/10 - Sean served in the military as an Air Force Intelligence Officer. He holds a degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Intelligence Analysis from Michigan State University. At Google, he worked as a Geospatial Engineer and Product Manager. And last year, was a Keynote speaker at the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum in Chicago. Sean lives in Colorado with his wife and two beautiful young girls. Currently, he's the the Director of TechStars Patriot Boot Camp. In today's...

popsmoke.net/9 - Jerry served in the Army as a Supply Sergeant. He's been around the world in support of operations in Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait and Afghanistan as a government contractor. He holds a degree in Business Administration and Management and has vast knowledge and experience in logistics. Jerry's on his 5th business. Currently, he's the founder of 3D Heights in New York City. In this episode, Jerry answer: - How much does rent cost in New York City — for a storefront your size? -...

popsmoke.net/8 - Mark Rockefeller served in the Air Force. He then transitioned to the Judge Advocate General Corps and served in Iraq. While in Iraq, Mark represented U.S. interests in Iraqi courts. After transitioning out of the military, he worked on a micro-finance project in Africa. Mark's been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, the Washington Business Journal, INC. Magazine and Entrepreneur Magazine. About StreetShares StreetShares is all about funding the next great...

popsmoke.net/7 - John served in the Navy as a Financial and Logistics Officer. He's a 2012 Dev Bootcamp Alumni and 2013 TechStars Patriot Boot Camp Alumni. With passion for software and product development, he has helped numerous startups grow with his technical skills. In this episode I ask John: - How do you evaluate different opportunities presented to you? - What's 1 thing you would have done differently when transitioning out of the military and joining 1st Civ Div? - What made you...

popsmoke.net/6 - David Cass served as a Navy Lieutenant Commander and aviator where he completed 2 combat support deployments during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Currently, Dave's the CEO of Uvize. He lives in Boulder with his wife, two daughters and golden retriever. In this episode, I ask David: - Ideas have sex. How do you come up with new business ideas? - What’s the 1st step you take once you think of a new idea? - What's 1 idea you'll never...

popsmoke.net/5 - My friend Michael Bradley is a fellow Naval Academy graduate and former Submarine Officer. Michael runs the Navy Nuclear Power Officer Career Conference (NUPOCC), where he has built quite a business over the past few years helping submariner officers make the transition to the private sector. In episode 5, I ask Michael: - What’s 1 thing you would have done differently when transitioning out of the military? - What’s 1 challenge your experiencing right now when trying to...

popsmoke.net/4 - Kristine Schellhaas is Marine spouse; the first ever featured spouse on The PopSmoke Show. Kristine founded USMC Life in 2009 as a way to inspire, connect and educate Marine Corps families. She’s a two-time base military spouse of the year winner and has dedicated more than 10,000 volunteer hours serving military families. In episode 4, I ask Kristine: - What was 1 mistake you made when starting your business? - Why’d you decide to sell your baby, despite having a...

popsmoke.net/3 - Marine Corps Major Rob Dyer won $150k on Shark Tank. I met Rob at DEFxAnnapolis, an event hosted by Michael Madrid and fellow Naval Academy midshipmen. About RuckPack RuckPack's a combat focused supplement company for people who care about what they're putting in their body. In this episode, I ask Rob: - How do you generate new ideas? - What's your team's main method of communication? - What's the biggest mistake you made when starting RuckPack? - What's the toughest...

popsmoke.net/2 - Kevin served as Submarine Officer in the Navy and as an Economics Instructor at the Naval Academy. He's the founder of What's Up Texas? What’s Up Texas? makes loyalty passes, coupons and event tickets for mobile wallets. In episode 2, I ask Kevin: - What are your thoughts about binary options? - After transitioning out of the military, what’s one thing you weren't expecting when starting your business? - What’s one thing you’re doing well right now, one thing that’s...

popsmoke.net/1 - Josh serves as an officer in the Air Force Reserve in Washington, D.C. and is the founder of Fathom Intelligence. Fathom Intelligence provides innovative threat reports for companies who operate in unsavory places overseas, so that they may defend against certain threats for their people and infrastructure and assets. In episode 1, I ask Josh: - What's the most challenging and biggest obstacle you had to overcome so far in your business? - What’s 1 piece of advice you...