Description:

Cary Sparrow joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into military transition, startup leadership, and building a tech company from the ground up. After serving as a U.S. Navy submarine officer and spending 14 years in global consulting, Cary launched Wagescape — a real-time labor market intelligence platform used by major global organizations.

In this episode, we explore:
• The critical mindset shift from corporate executive to entrepreneur
• Why “speed over perfection” wins in startups
• How military leadership skills create competitive business advantages

Cary shares the real story behind growth stress, scaling teams, managing payroll pressure, and why entrepreneurship is both the most stressful and most rewarding career path he’s ever taken.

Whether you're navigating military transition, building a business, or exploring your next chapter, this conversation gives you clear, actionable steps you can use today.

About the Guest:

Cary Sparrow is the Founder & CEO of Wagescape. A former Navy submarine officer and global HR executive, he now leads one of the most comprehensive labor market data platforms in the world, helping companies understand hiring trends, pay intelligence, and workforce strategy.

Grab the Lifeline:

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

Follow the Show & Explore More Episodes:

VET S.O.S.
VET S.O.S. Presents Operation Startup
VET S.O.S. Presents Learning Lifeline
VET S.O.S. Presents The Scoop

Connect with VET S.O.S.:

Website: vetsospodcast.com
X/Twitter: @vetsospodcast
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcast
YouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcast
Facebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcast
Instagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast

#VeteranEntrepreneur
#MilitaryTransition
#StartupLeadership
#NavyVeteran
#Entrepreneurship
#VETSOS
#OperationStartup
#TechFounder
#LeadershipDevelopment
#BusinessGrowth

Description:

DeAndre Nixon joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into what it truly takes to build a business after military service and why vision and mindset determine long-term success.

After leaving the Navy, DeAndre started with just $2,000, nearly faced homelessness, and built two companies without loans or lines of credit. Today, he mentors and consults veteran entrepreneurs nationwide.

In this episode, we explore:

• Transitioning from military structure to entrepreneurial leadership
• Competing in tough markets and protecting your ideas
• Why veterans must shift from “following orders” to “giving orders”
• The Future Self Vision exercise that fuels long-term success

Whether you're navigating military transition, building a business, or preparing to step into leadership, this conversation gives you clear, actionable steps you can use today.

About the Guest:

DeAndre Nixon is a Navy war veteran, 27-year serial entrepreneur, and founder of Perficient Pro LLC and IN Education Inc. He specializes in hybrid consulting and coaching, helping veterans master strategy and mindset to build sustainable, legacy-driven businesses.

Grab the Lifeline:

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

Don’t drown in the sea of transition — grab the lifeline.

Follow the Show & Explore More Episodes:

VET S.O.S.
VET S.O.S. Presents Operation Startup (Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight)
VET S.O.S. Presents Learning Lifeline (Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight)
VET S.O.S. Presents The Scoop

Connect with VET S.O.S.:

Website: vetsospodcast.com
X/Twitter: @vetsospodcast
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcast
YouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcast
Facebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcast
Instagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast

#VETSOS
#OperationStartup
#VeteranEntrepreneur
#MilitaryToCivilian
#VeteranBusinessOwner
#EntrepreneurLeadership
#StartupJourney
#VeteranSuccess
#MindsetMatters
#GrabTheLifeline

Bill Boyle joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into veteran entrepreneurship, disciplined transition planning, and building long-term financial stability without rushing into risk.

In this episode, we explore:

• The hidden challenges of military-to-civilian transition

• Why keeping a job while building a business can be the smartest move

• Creating passive income through real estate and drone services

• How patience, mentorship, and discipline shape long-term success

Whether you're transitioning out of the military, building a business on the side, or searching for a smarter entrepreneurial path, this conversation gives you clear, practical guidance you can use today.

Bill Boyle is a Marine reservist, entrepreneur, real estate investor, and founder of Veterans Airspace Academy. He mentors veterans nationwide and helps aspiring entrepreneurs turn technical skills into scalable businesses through education and real-world application.

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

• VET S.O.S.

• VET S.O.S. Presents Operation Startup

• VET S.O.S. Presents Learning Lifeline

• VET S.O.S. Presents The Scoop

Website: vetsospodcast.comX/Twitter: @vetsospodcastLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcastYouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcastFacebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcastInstagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcastTikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast

#VETSOS #OperationStartup #VeteranTransition #VeteranEntrepreneurship #MilitaryToCivilian #StartupJourney #VeteranSupport #PassiveIncome #EntrepreneurLife #GrabTheLifeline

Wilson Bautista Jr., U.S. Marine Corps veteran and founder of Jun Cyber, joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into military transition, entrepreneurship, and building a scalable cybersecurity business.

In this episode, we explore:• The reality of transitioning from military to civilian life• Why entrepreneurship appealed more than corporate or contracting work• Building recurring revenue and scalable systems• Cybersecurity compliance, leadership, and long-term resilience

Whether you're navigating military transition, building a business, or exploring entrepreneurship after service, this conversation offers clear, practical insight you can apply today.

Wilson Bautista Jr. is a Marine Corps veteran and cybersecurity leader specializing in compliance frameworks like CMMC and NIST. As founder of Jun Cyber and Executive Director of Cyber Ohana Project, he helps businesses and veterans build secure, scalable futures in cybersecurity.

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

VET S.O.S.VET S.O.S. Presents Operation Startup (Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight)VET S.O.S. Presents Learning Lifeline (Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight)VET S.O.S. Presents The Scoop

Website: vetsospodcast.comX/Twitter: @vetsospodcastLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcastYouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcastFacebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcastInstagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcastTikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast

#VETSOS #OperationStartup #VeteranBusiness #MilitaryTransition #CybersecurityCareers #VeteranLeadership #EntrepreneurMindset #CMMC #StartupJourney #VeteranSupport #GrabTheLifeline

Marine Corps veteran and entrepreneur Eknauth Persaud joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into entrepreneurship after military service and the leadership principles that drive sustainable business growth.

In this episode of VET S.O.S. Presents Operation Startup, Eknauth shares how becoming an accidental entrepreneur reshaped his mindset, why culture matters more than code, and how RentMySoftware.com helps businesses access custom software without massive upfront costs.

In this episode, we explore:• Transition lessons from the Marine Corps to business ownership• The power of Commander’s Intent in leadership and operations• Why sales and service are inseparable• Building scalable systems for blue-collar and operations-driven businesses

Whether you're navigating military transition, building a company, or exploring entrepreneurship, this conversation offers practical insight you can use today.

Eknauth Persaud is a Marine Corps veteran and founder of IOKA Systems and RentMySoftware.com. With decades of experience in custom software and operations, he helps businesses improve efficiency through servant leadership and smart system design.

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

VET S.O.S. VET S.O.S. – Operation StartupVET S.O.S. – Learning Lifeline

Website: vetsospodcast.comX/Twitter: @vetsospodcastLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcastYouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcastFacebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcastInstagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcastTikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast

#VETSOS #OperationStartup #VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitaryTransition #Entrepreneurship #VeteranLeadership #BusinessAfterService #StartupLife #VeteranOwned #GrabTheLifeline

Charlie Garcia joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into military transition and veteran entrepreneurship, sharing insights on leadership, resilience, and scaling successful businesses after service.

In this episode, we explore:• Why rank doesn’t matter in civilian life—and what replaces it• How veterans can translate military intelligence and leadership into business success• The importance of mentorship, peer networks, and trusted advisors• Proven frameworks for launching and scaling a successful company

Whether you're navigating military transition, building a business, or redefining purpose after service, this conversation delivers clear, actionable guidance you can use today.

Charlie Garcia is a decorated veteran, global entrepreneur, and founder of R360 Global. He has built and sold international companies, advised Fortune 500 boards, and now leads a private global network of purpose-driven entrepreneurs focused on creating meaningful impact.

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

VET S.O.S. VET S.O.S. – Operation StartupVET S.O.S. – Learning Lifeline

Website: vetsospodcast.comX/Twitter: @vetsospodcastLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcastYouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcastFacebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcastInstagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcastTikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast

#VETSOS #OperationStartup #VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitaryTransition #VeteranLeadership #EntrepreneurLife #StartupMindset #GrabTheLifeline

Gene Moran joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into the realities of military-to-civilian transition, the leap into entrepreneurship, and how veterans can thrive in high-stakes industries. He shares powerful insights on finding the right post-service fit, investing in yourself, building a profitable business, and navigating the GovCon and federal budget landscape with confidence.

In this episode, we explore:

• How landing the wrong job happens—and how to avoid it
• Why investing in yourself is essential for long-term success
• How fulfillment, not titles, should shape your path forward
• What sparked Gene’s leap from corporate lobbyist to successful entrepreneur
• Why veterans must understand sales, value, and positioning in today’s market

Whether you're navigating military transition, building a business, pursuing higher education, or searching for tools to strengthen your next chapter, this conversation gives you clear, actionable steps you can use today.

Gene Moran is the founder and president of Capital Integration, widely recognized as one of the top federal defense lobbyists in the nation. A retired U.S. Navy Captain who commanded both a cruiser and a destroyer, he has helped clients achieve billions of dollars in federal funding results. Gene is a university professor, bestselling author, award-winning consultant, and a trusted expert in navigating Congress, federal budgets, and the defense marketplace.

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

VET S.O.S. – Military Transition Resources Show
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight

Website: vetsospodcast.com
X/Twitter: @vetsospodcast
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcast
YouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcast
Facebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcast
Instagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast

#VETSOS #VeteranEntrepreneurSpotlight #GeneMoran #VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitaryTransition #DefenseIndustry #GovCon #VeteranLeadership #EntrepreneurMindset #GrabTheLifeline