Shannon Huffman Polson—one of the first female Apache pilots and founder of The GRIT Institute—joins the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneurial Spotlight to share her powerful story of transition, authorship, and purpose-driven leadership.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Shannon’s military transition and reinvention

• How her writing evolved into a thriving business

• The GRIT Institute’s origin and holistic leadership programs

• Lessons in entrepreneurial uncertainty, values, and fulfillment

If you're a veteran, leader, or entrepreneur looking for inspiration and actionable insight, this episode will leave you motivated and equipped.

🎙️ Guest: Shannon Huffman Polson
📘 Author of The GRIT Factor & North of Hope
🌐 Visit: thegritinstitute.com
📰 Newsletter: facingthewind.substack.com
📲 Follow: Instagram @ShannonHPolson | LinkedIn

🎧 More VET S.O.S. content: vetsospodcast.com
🚨 Don’t miss future episodes—subscribe now!

#VeteranEntrepreneurJourney #TheGRITFactor #ShannonPolson #MilitaryToCivilian #VeteranLeadership #FemaleVeteranVoices #VeteranBusiness #PurposeDrivenLeadership #ResilienceTraining #EntrepreneurPodcast #VETSOS

Jeremy Walker, retired Army SFC and founder of Helmets to Boots, joins the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight to discuss his journey from military intelligence to veteran advocacy. After a challenging transition, Jeremy launched a three-tiered platform that now supports veteran-owned businesses, educates corporations on military culture, and empowers families with vital resources.

Jeremy shares how programs like Boots to Business and Onward to Opportunity helped him rediscover purpose through entrepreneurship. He also previews the upcoming Veteran Business Showcase and weekly ATL networking events designed to elevate veteran voices across Georgia and beyond.

If you're a veteran entrepreneur or want to support one, don’t miss this episode.

🎙 Guest: Jeremy Walker – Founder, Helmets to Boots
🛠 Tools & Topics:

• VA benefits and SSDI education

• Military MOS translation for employers

• Strategic veteran partnerships

• Peer-led veteran training models

🎯 Learn more: HelmetsTOBoots.com | info@helmetstoboots.com

#VeteranBusinessEmpowerment #HelmetsToBoots #VeteranPodcast #JeremyWalker #MilitaryTransitionSupport #VetLeadership #VeteranPrograms #VetEntrepreneur #TransitionSuccess #VetSOS

On this episode of VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneurial Spotlight, retired naval officer Maurice Murphy shares his inspiring transition story—from 24 years in the Navy to founding a successful real estate career and investment company in Northeast Florida. Maurice discusses the emotional ups and downs of leaving service, his decision to skip the GS route, and how entrepreneurship gave him freedom, purpose, and a way to serve others again.

We dive into:

• Maurice's faith-driven pivot into real estate

• Creating generational wealth through property investment

• Building Brothers in Arms LLC with a Marine Corps partner

• Why your network is your net worth

• Balancing hustle and home life as a new entrepreneur

Plus, a major announcement: Maurice Murphy is officially the new host of the Veteran Entrepreneurial Spotlight! His voice and experience will help guide others looking to follow a similar path.

Don't forget to follow, rate, and share this episode to support the VET S.O.S. mission.

#VeteranPodcast #VetSuccess #MilitaryToCivilian #EntrepreneurLife #VeteranOwnedBusiness #RealEstateVeteran #VARealEstate #BrothersInArms #TransitionSupport #VETSOS

Justin Henderson, Marine Corps veteran and founder of Veteran Hiring Solutions (VHS), joins the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight to discuss how VHS is changing the game in recruitment. By integrating video-based job descriptions, VHS brings authenticity, leadership, and emotional connection into the hiring process—empowering veterans to visualize their future roles and employers to understand their true value.

In this conversation, Justin shares his journey from military service to entrepreneurship, the support he's received through IVMF and local chambers, and the psychology behind VHS’s innovative platform. Whether you're a transitioning service member, veteran, or hiring manager, this episode offers powerful insights into building purpose-driven careers and teams.

🎧 Listen now and grab the VET S.O.S. Lifeline.

🔗 Connect with Justin: veteranhiringsolutions.com
🎙️ Sponsored by Spearpoint Solutions | Code: "VETSOS"

#VeteranHiring #VETSOS #VeteranEntrepreneurship #MilitaryToCivilian #VideoRecruitment #JustinHenderson #VeteranTransition #IVMF #EmpoweringVeterans #JobSearchTips

Cole Samaroo, Marine Corps veteran and founder of Senior Tech Connect, joins the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight to share his powerful journey from military service to tech-based community impact. What started as a tribute to his late grandfather has become a nationwide movement empowering seniors through digital literacy, cybersecurity training, and AI-enabled support.

Tune in to hear:

• How Cole transitioned out of the Marine Corps with purpose

• The origin story behind Senior Tech Connect

• The role of mentorship, SkillBridge, and ACP in entrepreneurial growth

• Why bridging the digital divide is critical for elder and veteran communities

Cole’s story is a compelling reminder of how military discipline, a heart for service, and innovation can drive societal change.

🎙️ Catch more at SRTechConnect.com and follow @VETSOSPodcast on all platforms.

#VeteranVoices #DigitalInclusion #SeniorSupport #MilitaryEntrepreneur #VeteranOwnedBusiness #CybersecurityEducation #TechLiteracy #SocialImpactStartup #SkillBridgeSuccess #VETSOSPodcast

Join VET S.O.S. as we spotlight Ryan Crittenden, Army Veteran and Certified Strengths Coach, who is transforming how leaders grow through authenticity and strengths-based coaching.

Ryan discusses:

• His military transition and journey into entrepreneurship

• Building XL Coaching & Development

• Certifications in CliftonStrengths, Working Genius, and the John Maxwell Team

• The highs and lows of veteran business ownership

• The power of focusing on what’s right with people

• His upcoming book, Becoming the Compass (May 30, 2025)

Whether you’re a veteran seeking purpose, a leader striving for impact, or an entrepreneur chasing sustainable success, Ryan’s story delivers practical insights and inspiration.

This episode is brought to you by the Neil Haley Show and Spearpoint Solutions. Support veteran-owned content by visiting spearpointonline.com and using the code VETSOS.

🎙️ Don’t drown in the sea of transition—grab the VET S.O.S. lifeline.

#VeteranLeadership #StrengthsCoach #MilitaryTransitionSupport #VeteranOwnedBusiness #JohnMaxwellLeadership #OrganizationalPsychology #VeteranPodcast #EntrepreneurMindset #LeadershipFable #VETSOS

In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight, we sit down with Dr. Anthony Randall, founder and president of Vanguard XXI and a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel with decades of leadership experience.

Dr. Randall opens up about his personal journey into veteran entrepreneurship—starting with a paper route in Denver and culminating in launching a thriving coaching and leadership development firm during one of the toughest times in recent history: the COVID-19 pandemic.

You’ll learn:

• What makes the first 12 months after military retirement the hardest—and how to push through

• How Dr. Randall used EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to structure and grow his business

• Why emotional intelligence and character development are at the core of effective leadership

• How Vanguard XXI’s ICF-accredited coaching programs help veterans and civilians become world-class coaches

• The power of accountability through strategic advisory boards

• Why in-person, immersive training beats virtual slideshows every time

Vanguard XXI is more than a business—it’s a community of high-performing professionals committed to making a difference. Whether you're new to entrepreneurship or looking to scale your veteran-owned business, this episode offers practical insights and proven strategies.

🌐 Website: www.vanguardxxi.com
🎙️ Sponsored by: Spearpoint Solutions — use code “VETSOS”
💡 Don’t drown in the sea of transition—grab the VET S.O.S. lifeline and follow for more veteran success stories.

#VeteranEntrepreneurship #VeteranPodcast #MilitaryTransition #LeadershipCoaching #VeteranOwnedBusiness #ICFCoach #VETSOS #ExecutiveLeadership #EntrepreneurJourney #VeteranSupport

🐾 Lazy Dog Training That Works! Meet Brittney Howard, an Air Force veteran and the force behind Dawg Boss, where she teaches dog owners how to train their pups without making it a full-time job.

On this episode of VET S.O.S. – Veteran Entrepreneurial Spotlight, Brittney shares how she turned her passion for dogs into a thriving business, the surprising truth about separation anxiety, and why she tells dog owners NOT to walk their dogs. Plus, we dive into her entrepreneurial journey, the struggles of hiring, and why protecting her brand is non-negotiable.

🎙 Topics Covered:
✔️ From military service to successful entrepreneur
✔️ How "lazy training" helps even the busiest dog owners
✔️ Why traditional dog training fails and what works better
✔️ The real reason behind dog separation anxiety
✔️ Challenges of running a dog training business
✔️ Brittney’s "Love Is Weird" podcast & why she keeps it real

📲 Follow Dawg Boss:
📌 Social: @dawgbossrva (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube)
📩 Contact: brittney@dawgboss.com

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PXqxzptNSgBuSXpgDpDPM

💥 Support VET S.O.S. Use code VETSOS at spearpointonline.com to support our mission!

#VETSOS #VeteranEntrepreneur #DogTraining #LazyDogTraining #AirForceVeteran #MilitaryTransition #DogBehavior #PetTraining #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness