58 | So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur? w/ Co-founder and President of Solar Service, Brian Rodriguez

61 | A Military Transition Journey w/ Previous CEO of RecruitMilitary, Peter Gudmundsson

In this episode of the It'll Buff Podcast, host Daniel Grochowski interviews Peter Gudmundsson, a veteran with a diverse career spanning military service and various civilian roles. Peter shares his journey from military to civilian life, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, networking, and understanding organizational culture. He discusses the challenges veterans face during the transition and offers practical advice on how to navigate career decisions, build a personal brand, and evaluate job opportunities. The conversation highlights the value of mentorship and the need for veterans to articulate their experiences effectively in the civilian job market. Takeaways Peter's journey from military to civilian life is filled with diverse experiences. Self-awareness is crucial for veterans transitioning to civilian careers. Networking is a powerful tool for job seekers, especially veterans. Understanding organizational culture can help veterans find the right fit. Veterans should focus on articulating their skills and experiences effectively. The importance of mentorship in navigating career transitions cannot be overstated. Evaluating job opportunities should include assessing money, momentum, and meaning. Veterans should take pride in their service and use it to connect with others. Avoid using the term 'just' when describing military roles to prevent undervaluing experiences. Organizations should genuinely value veterans for their unique skills and perspectives.

60 | From the Special Forces to Building Team Courser Racing

Explore the mil2civ transition from the perspective of Green Berets and discover why they founded Team Courser Racing! Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Transitioning from military to civilian life is challenging for everyone, regardless of their background or destination. It's crucial to understand your 3 M's and identify your battle buddies. The transition impacts each individual differently and at varied times. We also delve into the initiatives of Team Courser Racing. Learn about their mission here: https://courserracing.com/about-1 Grab some gear here: https://bigfootink.com/courser\_racing/shop/home Support them here: https://courserracing.com/ Join us and get ready to take notes—this episode is truly inspiring! NEXT STEPS: 💼 Jobs for Transitioning Military & Veterans: https://bit.ly/4dZSnTV 🤝 Partnership Opportunities for Small Businesses: https://bit.ly/47kReUH LET'S CONNECT: 🔗 Connect With Daniel Grochowski on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3XDP9Qg 🔔 Follow Five & Fly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3B1d979

59 | From the Air Force to Founder of Better Every Day Studios and Everything in Between w/ Matt Gjertsen

Join us for another fantastic episode of the "It'll Buff" podcast with an incredible guest and an inspiring transition story. Introducing Matt Gjertsen, our first Air Force Academy graduate, whose story is nothing short of captivating! The central theme of Matt's journey is reclaiming his time. From a young age, Matt was captivated by flight. As he pondered his future, he decided to outdo his peers by attending the Air Force Academy to pursue a career in military aviation. Matt's experience in the service turned out to be unexpectedly rewarding. He ranked second in his flight class, which led him to stay in Oklahoma as a flight instructor. Although not his initial preference, Matt found immense satisfaction in teaching and gained valuable time in return. Following this, he flew slower aircraft and relished the assignment. However, his career trajectory hit a roadblock when he realized that reaching the rank of Major meant his future in the Air Force was beyond his control. Matt then transitioned to SpaceX, where he thoroughly enjoyed his work. Yet, he recognized it wasn't his lifelong career, even with his passion for all things space. Matt desired control over his time. Thus began Matt's entrepreneurial journey. Was it easy? No! Was it worth it? Absolutely! We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did recording it! NEXT STEPS: 💼 Jobs for Transitioning Military & Veterans: https://bit.ly/4dZSnTV 🤝 Partnership Opportunities for Small Businesses: https://bit.ly/47kReUH LET'S CONNECT: 🔗 Connect With Daniel Grochowski on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3XDP9Qg 🔔 Follow Five & Fly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3B1d979

58 | So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur? w/ Co-founder and President of Solar Service, Brian Rodriguez

This episode delves into an extraordinary origin story, exploring the journey from dedicated service to bootstrapping and growing a solar service company. Brian's path is anything but ordinary, and we are thrilled to share it with our audience. From an early age, Brian was driven by a strong desire to serve. His family’s military tradition dates back to WWII, so when the opportunity arose to attend the United States Military Academy, it felt almost predestined. Supportive mentors along the way further fueled his aspiration to join a service academy. Service was challenging, marked by the harrowing experience of witnessing a soldier's death. We discuss this pivotal moment in Brian's career, something he continues to process today. His ranch, where we recorded this episode, offers him solace. The transition from military life was tough, but not in the expected ways. Brian resisted the pressure to chase wealth or compare himself to his peers, choosing instead to follow his passion. Bootstrapping a company was no easy feat, but it was a transformative experience that molded Brian into the person he is today. We explore these themes and much more. Tune in for another incredible episode! NEXT STEPS: 💼 Jobs for Transitioning Military & Veterans: https://bit.ly/4dZSnTV 🤝 Partnership Opportunities for Small Businesses: https://bit.ly/47kReUH LET'S CONNECT: 🔗 Connect With Daniel Grochowski on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3XDP9Qg 🔔 Follow Five & Fly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3B1d979

57 | From Combat Engineer in the Army to Senior Associate at One Bow River Capitol w/ Dallas (Stowe) Faircloth

BLUF: Use your time wisely! Dallas (Stowe) Faircloth exemplified this principle during his time as an Army officer. He not only led his soldiers effectively but also prepared for his post-military career. From the moment Stowe was commissioned as a 2LT, he played the long game. Although aware of his eventual transition out of the Army, he remained fully present in his role. Like many officers, he constantly assessed his PACE plan, ensuring he reached his ultimate goal regardless of unforeseen circumstances. To facilitate his future success, Stowe pursued an MBA while still on active duty. Simultaneously, he networked with contacts outside the Army, ensuring he had a transition plan and a support system in place when the time came. Stowe's careful planning paid off when he decided to leave the military. His transition was smoother than most due to his proactive diligence. Despite potential roadblocks like command approval, a DIY CSP, and tight timelines, everything eventually fell into place. Ultimately, Stowe secured a position at a private equity firm. He didn’t reinvent the wheel; instead, he embraced the same mindset he had as a 2LT: work hard, adapt, and figure it out. By showing up with the right attitude and a drive to succeed, he earned his place. If you're considering a similar path and want to learn more from Stowe, as he mentioned in this episode, feel free to reach out! NEXT STEPS: 💼 Jobs for Transitioning Military & Veterans: https://bit.ly/4dZSnTV 🤝 Partnership Opportunities for Small Businesses: https://bit.ly/47kReUH LET'S CONNECT: 🔗 Connect With Daniel Grochowski on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3XDP9Qg 🔔 Follow Five & Fly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3B1d979