Startup Anthology

Startup Insights with Joseph Kopser: Leadership Lessons from a Military Veteran

In this episode of Startup Anthology, we have a special guest, Joseph Kopser, a retired Lt. Col. in the US Army, West Point alum, startup founder, and serial entrepreneur at the July 2025 Military Connected Monthly Mentorship Meetup (MCM3) in Austin at Capital Factory. Joseph shares his journey from the military to entrepreneurship, including founding RideScout while still serving in the Army. He also talks about his leadership experiences, the importance of mentorship, and the upcoming 'Leading to WIN' event aimed at bridging the gap between military and civilian communities. Connect with Joseph Kopser: LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephkopser/ Company | https://graylinegroup.com/joseph-kopser/ Personal | https://bit.ly/KopserKeynoteEmCeeFlyer Email | joseph@graylinegroup.com Leading to WIN 2025: Bridging the gap between generations of military service, leadership, and innovation in America's military capital. For more information on 'Leading to WIN 2025', visit https://leading2win.org/. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into startup leadership and culture. 📍Recorded live at the Military-Connected Mentorship Meetup with support from Command Post Cohort, Texas Veteran Chambers Coalition, and sponsors including, Syracuse University D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families [https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/], Combined Arms | Texas Veterans Network [https://www.combinedarms.us/texasveteransnetwork], Capital Factory [https://capitalfactory.com/], and JP Morgan Chase [https://www.jpmorganchase.com/]. 00:00 Introduction and Event Overview 00:45 Introducing Joseph Kopser 01:19 Joseph's Military Journey 07:17 Founding Ride Scout 14:46 Balancing Military and Entrepreneurship 17:54 Meeting Entrepreneurs at Gabriel's 19:01 Reflecting on the Journey 20:00 Discussing the Book 'Catalyst' 21:16 The Kodak Story and Innovation 23:58 Leadership and Creating a Moat 27:38 The Xerox Missed Opportunity 31:51 Leading to Win Conference https://commandpostcohort.com/ https://texasveteranschambers.org/ https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/ https://www.combinedarms.us/ https://capitalfactory.com/ https://www.jpmorganchase.com/ Descript - If you're a podcaster or videographer, you know how tedious editing can be. Descript makes editing audio and video in your browser easy, saving you time and effort! Join me and get a free trial with my affiliate link: https://get.descript.com/StartupAnthology #militarymentorship #veteranstories #startupjourney #networking #communitybuilding #entrepreneurship #veteransupport #militarylife #usarmy #startups #startupanthology

Who Was ICON's First Hire? The Debate Begins...

In this episode of Startup Anthology, I sit down with Dmitri Julius and Nathan Wang, the first hires at ICON, to unravel the intriguing debate of who truly holds the title of employee number one. Together, we explore the early days of ICON, recounting the chaos and camaraderie that fueled our groundbreaking mission to revolutionize housing through 3D printing. From humorous anecdotes about our unconventional hiring practices and operational challenges to heartfelt reflections on the lasting impact of company culture, we share the lessons learned from our unique journeys. Join us as we dive into the stories that shaped ICON and the friendships that remain a cornerstone of our experiences. #podcast #startupanthology #inspiration #startupculture #story #startupsuccess #icon #3dprinting #AppleTV #NewStory 00:00 Introduction to Startup Anthology 00:47 Meet Dmitri Julius 02:59 Nathan Wang's Journey to ICON 06:21 Defining Employee Number One at ICON 08:37 The Early Days and Challenges at ICON 19:47 ICON's First International Project 25:17 The Culture and Camaraderie at ICON 39:12 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Early Struggles 48:12 Imperial vs Metric: A Practical Choice 50:43 The Legacy of Humor in Company Culture 51:51 Building a Team: The Key to Success 58:17 Navigating Company Growth and Change 01:05:09 Reflections on Personal and Professional Growth 01:13:12 The Journey of Founding and Leaving ICON 01:25:11 New Ventures and Future Aspirations 01:29:32 Acknowledging the Team Behind the Success DISCLAIMER: "The opinions and views expressed in this podcast are those of the host/guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency or company, including Icon Technology, Inc."

Journey to Japan: The Mission and Vision of Kostya and Bella

Journey to Japan: A Conversation with Missionaries Kostya and Bella Tustanovskyis On this episode of Startup Anthology, I'm joined by Brian Henson lead pastor at Trinity Community Church [https://trinitychurchtx.org/] in Cedar Park, TX. Together, we sit down with Kostya and Bella Tustanovskyis delve into their journey as missionaries, church planters and entrepreneurs. Kostya and Bella are both originally from Ukraine, but they met while Kostya was working at Sojourn Church in Uganda. They discuss how they met in Uganda, and their passion for spreading the gospel in Japan. They delve into the calling that led them to one of the world's most unreached nations and talk about the challenges and blessings that come with adapting to a new culture. The episode also covers their vision for building community and planting churches in Tokyo and the vital role of partnerships in their mission. Tune in to hear about their heartfelt journey, the impact of their work, and how they navigate their faith and family life in the mission field. 📍Recorded live at Red Horn Brewery & Roastery [https://redhornbrew.com/] in Leander, TX. To learn more about Kostya and Bella, and to partner with them on their journey to Japan, visit https://forthejoy.city/ 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into startup leadership and culture. If you're a podcaster or videographer, you know how tedious editing can be. Descript makes editing audio and video in your browser easy, saving you time and effort! Join me and get a free trial with my affiliate link: https://get.descript.com/StartupAnthology 00:00 Journey to Japan: The Mission and Vision of Kostya and Bella 00:27 Startup Anthology Intro 01:38 Introduction and Background 02:19 Meeting and Early Life 03:47 Missionary Work in Uganda 07:01 Calling to Japan 22:57 Vision Trip to Japan 28:57 Welcoming Hands and Hearts 29:43 Different Ministry Approaches in Tokyo 31:40 Choosing to Work with Soma 32:06 Choosing Soma Tokyo 32:29 Emphasis on Emotionally Healthy Discipleship 34:46 The Role of Non-Japanese Missionaries 40:11 Long-Term Vision and Patience in Church Planting 48:47 Challenges and Prayer Requests 53:30 Final Thoughts and Farewell #Acts29 #ChurchPlanting #CommunityBuilding #Descript #Discipleship #EmotionalHealth #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurship #TheGreatCommission #Japan #Missionaries #Missionary #RedHorn Brewery_Roastery #StartupAnthology #Startup Journey

Women Veterans in the Startup World - Leadership Lessons with Johanna Wynne

In this episode of Startup Anthology, I sit down with Johanna Wynne, an inspiring Army veteran who transitioned into the startup world. We explore her journey from a military upbringing to her decision to forgo West Point for the University of Vermont, ultimately leading to a 20-year Army career. Johanna shares her experiences at Army Futures Command, likening it to a startup within a major organization, and discusses the challenges of joining a civilian startup post-retirement. We delve into her insights on leadership, risk-taking, and the importance of passion in the entrepreneurial world. Join us for a candid conversation about the lessons Johanna learned from military service and how they apply to the fast-paced startup environment. Whether you're a veteran entrepreneur or simply interested in leadership, this episode offers valuable perspectives on navigating transitions and embracing new opportunities.

From West Point to Startups: Leadership Lessons from Colonel (Ret.) Jim Orbock

Join me, Jeremy Willis, on Startup Anthology as we dive into a riveting conversation with retired Colonel Jim Orbock in our latest episode, From West Point to Startups: Leadership Lessons from Colonel (Ret.) Jim Orbock. Recorded live at the Military Connected Mentorship Meetup, Jim shares his remarkable journey from West Point to leading troops in Afghanistan, and now to entrepreneurship with Spartan Financial. Discover the challenges of transitioning from military leadership to startup culture and how Jim leverages servant leadership to build lasting team dynamics. We explore the importance of narrowing your vision, the value of mentorship, and the art of balancing personal and organizational goals. This episode is packed with insights for anyone navigating the startup world. Tune in to learn how to lead effectively, whether you're managing a team of five or a hundred.