Today I had coffee with one of my old supply Sergeants. He is a great guy and done very well with government contracting after he retired. It was awesome to catch up and see what he is up to. Now that he is doing well financially, he may be looking for alternative investment options, which is why our mutual friend suggested we meet. Just a reminder that @Hal Fischer would say; you probably already have the network you need to be successful. You just need to learn how to tap into it.

I've started businesses with family, friends, gone in alone and everything in between. I've also started a company, then brought people in. At the end of the day, I tend to prove a concept, then bring in a partner who has skin in the game and will capitalize on the upside. I try to find people who love doing what I don't like doing and vise-versa. The most difficult part is finding the right parter, cause I've seen family members screw over each other more than once. In fact, one of my partners got sued by his brother even though the brother was paid more than what was agreed. We were not partnered in that business he was sued BTW. Final thought; partners can add fuel to accelerate your business if you can find the right one. So, keep networking and always be looking for opportunities.

I’ve built and sold businesses. I’ve coached founders. I’ve helped others scale. And every time I talk with an entrepreneur… I realized something fast: Even the most experienced business owner needs proximity. 👉 The right people. 👉 The right rooms. 👉 The right guidance. You rise to the level of your environment. That’s why I've joined groups like this, hosted events, and hired mentors. Not because I was struggling… but because I wanted to grow faster and sharper. Every major leap I’ve made in business came from proximity: 🤔 Sitting next to people who challenged my thinking. Learning from mentors who had already built what I wanted to build. Surrounding myself with owners who were playing at a higher level. Veterans understand this better than anyone: your unit means everything. Your environment determines your mission’s success. And in business, it’s no different.

We don’t have to go it alone. I had a Battle Plan Call with a retired Navy Chief. Real estate guy. Sharp. Hustling. But something wasn’t landing. He went through my Startup Veteran Challenge... and it lit him up! He started seeing a new path: → Government contracting. Here’s the best part: I was able to connect him directly with a fellow veteran who’s built a business helping others break into government contracting through his training and coaching program. 💥 One challenge. 💥 One conversation. 💥 One connection. And the game changed for him. That’s the power of the veteran network. We don’t just share war stories. We share strategies, resources, and real opportunities. If you’re building something… don’t try to figure it all out alone. Leverage your network. Search this community. Tap the people who’ve already done it. You’re not alone.

Launching a business is exciting, but doing it alone is risky. That’s why every entrepreneur should assemble a BAIL Team — your core group of trusted advisors: Banker, Accountant, Insurance Agent, and Lawyer. These four professionals help you protect your business, make smarter decisions, and avoid costly mistakes. If you have ever taken the Boots to Business training, then you have seen this presented before. It is one of the modules I teach all the time. Your Banker is more than someone who opens accounts. They help you understand lending options, lines of credit, merchant services, and long‑term financial strategy. Commercial bankers, SBA lenders, and credit union partners each bring different strengths. Your Accountant keeps your financial house in order. Whether it’s a bookkeeper, CPA, or tax strategist, they help you manage cash flow, stay compliant, and plan for growth. Your Insurance Agent protects everything you’re building. From general liability to workers’ comp to cyber coverage, a good agent helps you assess risk and choose the right policies — not just the cheapest ones. Your Lawyer safeguards your contracts, intellectual property, leases, and corporate structure. Business attorneys, real estate attorneys, and contract specialists each play a role. These advisors can be paid partners, trusted friends, informal mentors, board members, or even free SBA/VBOC/SCORE resources. I would also consider this community as an asset to your BAIL team. We have people with experience in all of these categories.