What does success really look like for a man who’s led Marines, built a business from scratch, and raised a family through it all?

In this conversation, Joe sits down with Marc Caldwell—Marine veteran and co-owner of Burrito Shak in Surf City—to unpack the real journey behind entrepreneurship. From military leadership to restaurant ownership during COVID, Marc shares what it actually takes to build something that lasts without losing your family, your faith, or yourself in the process.

This isn’t hype. It’s an honest look at stress, long hours, marriage under pressure, defining wealth, and building a team culture that empowers young people to grow.

Inside this episode:

• The transition from military service to business ownership
• Opening a restaurant during COVID and surviving the startup grind
• Why “hire slow, fire fast” matters more than you think
• How empowering your team creates freedom as an owner
• Redefining wealth beyond money and status
• What success looks like in different seasons of life
• Building trust with a business partner who’s also a battle buddy

Marc shares how leadership lessons from the Marine Corps shaped the way he builds culture, delegates responsibility, and develops young employees into confident adults. He also talks about the realities of working 100-hour weeks, protecting your marriage, and learning to measure success differently at 54 than he did at 30.

If you’re a husband, business owner, or man trying to build something meaningful without burning everything else down in the process, this one will hit home.

Connect & Learn More:

Burrito Shak Surf City: https://www.burritoshak.com

Brotherhood Beyond Business: https://www.brotherhoodbeyondbusiness.com

Joe Rouse Socials: Instagram | LinkedIn

If this episode challenged you or gave you clarity, share it with another man who needs to hear it—and leave a review so more men can find the show.

👉 Download our Your Circle is Your Ceiling eBook

The Brotherhood Beyond Business Podcast is where driven male entrepreneurs gather for real conversations about business, leadership, faith, health, and accountability. Hosts Trev Warnke, Joe Rouse, Nathan Johnson, Danny Mullen and meet with local area guests share hard-earned lessons, challenges, and strategies for building profitable businesses without sacrificing the life that matters most.