The Veteran Entrepreneur Masterclass Podcast

A fiduciary assumes a role of utmost confidence and obligation to act in the best interests of those they serve. Though rooted in ancient ideals of trustworthiness, this principle has found renewed significance in investment advisory practice. At its core, the fiduciary duty encapsulates a profound commitment to act in the best interests of those who entrust their financial well-being to expert guidance. In this episode, Brett talks with Don Trone, CEO and Co-founders of 3ethos. Also known as the Father of Fiduciary, Don talks about what fiduciary is and why it matters. He also speaks about how he integrated a fiduciary standard into an investment advisory practice. Don shares his insights on the difference between leadership, stewardship, and governance. Don was the founding CEO of fi360, which he left in 2007. He was also the Founder and President of the Foundation for Fiduciary Studies and the first person to direct the Institute for Leadership at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. In 2015, Don was named by Investment Advisor magazine as the "Father of Fiduciary" and one of the 35 most influential people in the financial services industry. In 2003, he was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Labor to represent the investment counseling industry on the ERISA Advisory Council. Don is the author or co-author of ten books on the subject of fiduciary responsibility, portfolio management, and leadership. Enjoy! In This Episode 03:35 - Backstory of Don Trone 13:01 - How the military attracts people to stay in their careers 14:21 - How Don started his civilian career 16:37 - What fiduciary means and why it matters 23:16 - How Don integrated a fiduciary standard into an investment advisory practice 28:46 - The challenges Don faced when establishing fi360 38:04 - The best place to study leadership and effective decision-making 43:58 - The difference between leadership, stewardship, and governance Favorite Quotes 17:52 - "The conduct of fiduciaries has a direct impact on the fiscal health of our nation. If they don't know what they're doing and screw up their investment decisions, they can cause a lot of harm to society." - Don Trone [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-trone-89873013/] 19:21 - "When you think about the importance of managing retirement assets and money in general, it is almost as important as saving a person's actual life." - Don Trone [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-trone-89873013/] 34:13 - "The fiduciary was deteriorating. It was being overcome by politics, power, ego, and greed. Any worthwhile endeavor in society eventually will decay from politics, power, ego, and greed." - Don Trone [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-trone-89873013/] 38:13 - "If you ever get a chance to go through a training program through Thayer Leadership, do so. It's an incredible experience. And if you're going to study leadership and effective decision-making, there is no better place on the planet than to do so at West Point." - Don Trone [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-trone-89873013/] 41:03 - "The quality of your leadership and stewardship is going to have a direct impact on the quality of your decision-making outcomes." - Don Trone [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-trone-89873013/] 41:32 - "The real key that will determine the quality of the investment advice is the leadership and stewardship behaviors of the advisor." - Don Trone [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-trone-89873013/] 44:00 - "Leadership is your capacity to inspire and engage others. Stewardship is your passion and discipline to protect the long-term interests of others." - Don Trone [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-trone-89873013/] Engage with Don Trone * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-trone-89873013/] * 3ethos [https://www.3ethos.com/] Connect with Brett Henderson: * 310-491-7975 * Swe90.com [https://swe90.com/] * LinkedIn: Brett Henderson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-henderson/] * Strategic Wealth Endeavor [https://swe90.com/] Listen to The Veteran Entrepreneur Masterclass Podcast * Apple Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-veteran-entrepreneur-masterclass-podcast/id1637663213?mt=2&ls=1] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5dLpJvEXTxPjPNjsnmf6MY] * Google Podcast [https://podcasts.google.com/search/The%20Veteran%20Entrepreneur%20Masterclass%20Podcast]

In pursuing entrepreneurial ambitions, veterans, like many others, may fall into the trap of thinking that starting a business is a guaranteed path to financial prosperity. Yet, the cold reality paints a different picture. Surprisingly, a staggering 87% of new businesses never survive beyond their second year. How can veterans embark on a new journey - one that allows them to create a successful business and pursue their dreams beyond the battlefield? In this episode, Brett talks with Joe Siecinski. Having coached over 1000 clients throughout the US, Joe talks about the challenges and rewards of starting and running a business. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision, mission, and purpose for your business and the need for strong time management skills. Joe also highlights the key areas entrepreneurs should focus on, including goal setting, time blocking, accountability, and business processes. Joe Siecinski is the Owner and Co-Founder at brainSHARE Business Mentors. It is his passion to mentor CEOs and Executive Teams who want to be in control of the growth and expansion of their business. Joe brings clarity to how business owners and their executive teams lead and manage the organization. With his vast experience, proven systems, powerful tools, time-tested processes, and comprehensive resources, Joe guides his clients to a great business — one that is achieving optimal success, as defined by them. In This Episode 00:53 - Backstory of Joe Siecinski 04:53 - How Joe serves his clients 09:07 - The importance of physical and mental well-being in running a business 13:38 - What money has to do with a business's mission and purpose 15:43 - The common issues and challenges faced by business owners 18:00 - The difference between customers and clients 24:47 - Why Joe implemented an online learning system 28:33 - Joe's time management formula 32:12 - The importance of being present with family and loved ones 38:02 - The amount of time Joe spends reviewing his marketing strategy 39:56 - The difference between marketing and sales 48:03 - The importance of having a process in business 52:33 - The tools Joe recommends for creating business SOPs Favorite Quotes 05:00 - "So many people start their own businesses to make money, and they think it's easy. But 87% of businesses never make it past year two." - Joe Siecinski [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesiecinski/] 22:53 - "Where you will be in five years depends on three things. The knowledge you gain, the people you associate with, and the actions you take." - Joe Siecinski [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesiecinski/] 48:03 - "Everything that happens in the company is your responsibility. There are no people problems. There are only process problems." - Joe Siecinski [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesiecinski/] Engage with Joe Siecinski * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesiecinski/] * brainSHARE Online [https://www.brainshare.online/] Connect with Brett Henderson: * 310-491-7975 * Swe90.com [https://swe90.com/] * LinkedIn: Brett Henderson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-henderson/] * Strategic Wealth Endeavor [https://swe90.com/] Listen to The Veteran Entrepreneur Masterclass Podcast * Apple Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-veteran-entrepreneur-masterclass-podcast/id1637663213?mt=2&ls=1] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5dLpJvEXTxPjPNjsnmf6MY] * Google Podcast [https://podcasts.google.com/search/The%20Veteran%20Entrepreneur%20Masterclass%20Podcast]

For veterans and active-duty members, the transition to civilian life represents a pivotal moment where one world converges with another, and the uncharted territory of civilian society replaces the familiar rigors of military life. While this crossroads can be both exhilarating and challenging, how do service members embrace this newfound world and transform the challenges into opportunities for growth, success, and purpose? In this episode, Brett is joined by Marc Rodriguez, Franchise Owner of Self Made Training Facility Dallas and CEO of Manifest Fitness Institute and Justrod Fitness Corporate Wellness Team. From institutional Marine gunnery to purpose-driven serial entrepreneur, Marc talks about how he overcame his victim mentality after leaving the military, why personal trainers are as important as first responders, and what advice he gives veterans and active-duty members when transitioning to civilian life. Enjoy! In This Episode 01:16 - Backstory of Marc Rodriguez 06:01 - How Marc transitioned into civilian life 10:15 - What Marc did to overcome his victim mentality 15:22 - How Marc got past the transitional phase 17:44 - Marc's advice to veterans and active-duty members 25:13 - The current business ventures of Marc 26:22 - How Marc addressed the lack of business education 30:59 - Why personal trainers are as important as first responders 35:37 - The most important transitional characteristics for service members 39:29 - A summary of Marc's entrepreneurial journey Favorite Quotes 18:53 - "To any veteran or active-duty member, get your education because it means something on this side of the world. If you don't have a college degree, you're behind the power curve on this side of the world." - Marc Rodriguez [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodriguezmarc01/] 31:18 - "Personal trainers are just as important as first responders because they provide longevity and teach health practices. They're teaching you to be healthier and more fit so you can live longer." - Marc Rodriguez [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodriguezmarc01/] 38:22 - "I always wanted to give my Marines all the knowledge and experience I had so they could take my spot and become better." - Marc Rodriguez [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodriguezmarc01/] 41:03 - "Seek out the people that you want to emulate. Seek out those you want to be and those at a level you want to get to." - Marc Rodriguez [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodriguezmarc01/] 45:53 - "If you're having a hard time transitioning, it's understandable. Everybody goes through it. The difference between those that can transition into successful careers and those that don't is you only have that much time to whine, and then you need to come up with a solution." - Marc Rodriguez [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodriguezmarc01/] Engage with Marc Rodriguez * Email [marc.selfmadeacademy@gmail.com] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodriguezmarc01/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/justrodfit/?hl=en] * SMTF Dallas [https://www.instagram.com/smtfdallas/?hl=en] Connect with Brett Henderson: * 310-491-7975 * Swe90.com [https://swe90.com/] * LinkedIn: Brett Henderson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-henderson/] * Strategic Wealth Endeavor [https://swe90.com/] Listen to The Veteran Entrepreneur Masterclass Podcast * Apple Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-veteran-entrepreneur-masterclass-podcast/id1637663213?mt=2&ls=1] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5dLpJvEXTxPjPNjsnmf6MY] * Google Podcast [https://podcasts.google.com/search/The%20Veteran%20Entrepreneur%20Masterclass%20Podcast]

Behind every successful organization, there is often an exceptional individual with the skills, vision, and determination to navigate complex challenges and drive transformative growth. These individuals wield their expertise and experience to steer their organizations toward greatness. In essence, senior leadership roles represent the epitome of professional growth and responsibility, as they bear the weight of strategic decision-making, organizational direction, and the cultivation of a high-performance culture. How can military veterans thrive in C-Suite roles? In this episode, Brett talks with Chris Palmisano. A C-Suite executive for top Fortune 500 companies, Chris talks about how military veterans thrive in C-Suite roles, the rise of the solopreneur, and what advice he gives to veterans aspiring to be CEOs. Chris Palmisano [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmpalmisano/] is a C-Suite/Senior leader and growth strategist with 18+ years of success spanning operations leadership, sales, revenue operations, business development, partnership management, and cross-functional team leadership in the SaaS space. Throughout his career, he has earned recognition for scaling and leading start-up companies and held leadership positions for top Fortune 500 companies, such as Google. Enjoy! In This Episode 00:56 - The importance of physical health to veteran entrepreneurs 07:13 - The impact of sleep on overall health 10:12 - Backstory of Chris Palmisano 17:08 - Why Chris decided to leave the military 20:58 - Chris' thoughts on the difference between a business owner and a CEO 29:32 - How Chris was selected for a senior leadership position 33:48 - Chris' biggest challenge as a CEO 35:58 - One of the most important lessons Chris learned from his mistakes as a CEO 38:02 - How Chris maintains good communication dynamics with the board 42:26 - Chris' advice for veterans aspiring to be CEOs Favorite Quotes 25:01 - "With the tools available today, you can be a massive one-person business." - Chris Palmisano [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmpalmisano/] 25:09 - "One of the most interesting trends in the economy is the rise of the solopreneur. A one-person digital business doesn't have to hire employees. You can outsource virtually any aspect of the business that you want." - Chris Palmisano [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmpalmisano/] 46:12 - "The framework I like to use in solving a problem is, who do you help, how do you help them, and what's the benefit for them? If you can answer those questions and get a good answer, there will be a benefit for you." - Chris Palmisano [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmpalmisano/] Engage with Chris Palmisano * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmpalmisano/] Connect with Brett Henderson: * 310-491-7975 * Swe90.com [https://swe90.com/] * LinkedIn: Brett Henderson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-henderson/] * Strategic Wealth Endeavor [https://swe90.com/] Listen to The Veteran Entrepreneur Masterclass Podcast * Apple Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-veteran-entrepreneur-masterclass-podcast/id1637663213?mt=2&ls=1] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5dLpJvEXTxPjPNjsnmf6MY] * Google Podcast [https://podcasts.google.com/search/The%20Veteran%20Entrepreneur%20Masterclass%20Podcast]

Entrepreneurs strive not only to build successful enterprises but also to ensure their lasting legacy. They recognize the importance of forward-thinking strategies that go beyond immediate gains and dream of a rewarding exit that not only maximizes the value of their business but also ensures a smooth transition into the next phase of life. How can business owners maximize the value of their business and plan for a successful exit? In this episode, Brett is joined by Allen Gregory. As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Allen talks about how business owners can sell their business for maximum value. He emphasizes the importance of standard operating procedures (SOPs), succession planning, and proper financial management. Alan also highlights the different types of buyers in the market for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions and the need for business owners to consider their plans for the future after selling their businesses. Allen Gregory [https://www.linkedin.com/in/allentgregory] is a digital marketer and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA). With a background in digital marketing, Alan helps business owners maximize the value of their businesses and plan for a successful exit so they can preserve their legacy, retire from their business and start a brand-new life. He specializes in working with e-commerce, e-learning, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies. Enjoy! In This Episode 01:42 - Backstory of Allen Gregory 03:42 - How Allen went from being a digital marketer to becoming a CEPA 05:37 - Allen's mindset and approach to entrepreneurship. 09:03 -The most common problems and concerns of business owners have 10:11 - A four-step process for helping business owners maximize their business value 13:46 - How Allen helps business owners overcome management challenges 16:18 - The emotional and financial aspects of selling a business 19:22 - What Allen can do for business owners as a CEPA 24:44 - What Allen has in mind when working with business owners 29:06 - Allen's exit planning process 29:47 - What Allen's ideal clients look like 30:49 - Ways to connect with Allen Favorite Quotes 06:35 - "I designed how I wanted my life to be. And when Covid hit, everybody saw it as chaos. I saw it as an opportunity. So when bad things happen, there's always an opportunity for me to express my creativity." - Allen Gregory [https://www.linkedin.com/in/allentgregory] 09:29 - "If the business depends on you, you don't have a business. Technically, you're self-employed and have that dreaded word, a job." - Allen Gregory [https://www.linkedin.com/in/allentgregory] 12:26 - "As a business owner, don't just start pulling money out of the business and treat it like an ATM. Leave money in the business so you have a viable business that has working capital." - Allen Gregory [https://www.linkedin.com/in/allentgregory] Connect with Allen Gregory * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/allentgregory] * Website [https://www.workwithallen.com/] Connect with Brett Henderson: * 310-491-7975 * Swe90.com [https://swe90.com/] * LinkedIn: Brett Henderson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-henderson/] * Strategic Wealth Endeavor [https://swe90.com/] Listen to The Veteran Entrepreneur Masterclass Podcast * Apple Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-veteran-entrepreneur-masterclass-podcast/id1637663213?mt=2&ls=1] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5dLpJvEXTxPjPNjsnmf6MY] * Google Podcast [https://podcasts.google.com/search/The%20Veteran%20Entrepreneur%20Masterclass%20Podcast]