#109: Building a Business After Service with Valerie Lavin
Make Your Move with Gene Moran
Release Date: 12/23/2024
#113: Radical Accountability and Leadership with Dave Rosenberg
Make Your Move with Gene Moran
“I help them create what I call radical accountability. Quite simply, that's a business culture or culture…in anything, but I focus on business where the team willingly does what they need to do when they need to do it correctly." - Dave Rosenberg FEATURED GUEST Dave Rosenberg, a former U.S. Navy naval aviator, has built an impressive career in business leadership and consulting. With a mechanical engineering degree, he progressed from college sales roles to serving as president of multiple companies, including a large San Diego moving company, a telecom/IT services business he...
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#112: Preparation and Networking in Military Transitions with Scott Hatzung
Make Your Move with Gene Moran
"My network was probably not the strongest it could be. But the next thing was timing. Where my network was strong, there just weren't job opportunities at that time frame." - Scott Hatzung FEATURED GUEST Scott Hatzung is a seasoned professional with a distinguished 22-year career in the US Navy, transitioning from an enlisted aviation support equipment technician to an aviation maintenance officer. Originating from Detroit, Michigan, Scott honed his mechanical skills in his father's car shop before dedicating himself to military service, where he specialized in managing helicopters and...
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#111: Finding Fulfillment Beyond Active Duty with Clint Musgrove
Make Your Move with Gene Moran
"Given my injuries, the kind of prognosis was you're never gonna walk normal again. You're gonna be basically confined to a pool for any type of physical activity because the impact is not gonna be something that that you're gonna be comfortable with." —Clint Musgrove FEATURED GUEST Clint Musgrove is a former Army medic who has successfully transitioned to civilian life, becoming an expert in incident response within the energy sector. He is recognized for having unique skills like combat lifesaver experience. After serving in the military, Clint ventured into executive protection...
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#110: Military Discipline Meets Business Acumen with Brett Whitsitt
Make Your Move with Gene Moran
"Once I was able to narrow the focus down in a pointed way is really when doors started opening up because people had something they could grasp onto and help in a more meaningful way as opposed to me just saying, hey, I'd like to get into finance." — Brett Whitsitt FEATURED GUEST Brett Whitsitt is a former Navy SEAL who has successfully transitioned from military service to become a business leader. Brett graduated from the Virginia Military Institute with a focus in economics and business, later furthering his education with an MBA from the Wharton School. After serving over eight...
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#109: Building a Business After Service with Valerie Lavin
Make Your Move with Gene Moran
"It's the worst feeling, no matter how minor the incident is that you are witnessing, whether you come up on it or you're in the middle of it and just not be prepared to have, to be able to help." —Valerie Lavin FEATURED GUEST Valerie Lavin is a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant with over two decades of military service. Following her transition from active duty, Valerie embarked on a successful journey into entrepreneurship. She co-founded Luminary Global, a company that provides emergency and trauma kits to first responders, military personnel, and everyday households, catering to...
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#108: From Marine to Business Strategist with Tyler Van Hook
Make Your Move with Gene Moran
“What we're mainly focusing on is digital transformation inside of the defense space, specifically with our training and education pipelines.” — Tyler Van Hook FEATURED GUEST Tyler Van Hook, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-founder of Kognitiv Edge, is a dynamic leader and entrepreneur with a rich background in military and business strategy. A former United States Marine Corps officer, Tyler leverages his expertise in technology application and human capital development to drive innovative digital transformations in defense training and education. With a Master’s in Technology...
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#107: Turning Combat Experience into Business Innovation with Matthew Griffin
Make Your Move with Gene Moran
"Find mentors that are actually using their own money to run a business. Don't listen to the professors who left business to go teach in school. Follow somebody who's actually using real cash and real coin to do it." — Matthew Griffin FEATURED GUEST Matthew "Griff" Griffin, a former Army Ranger and veteran turned entrepreneur, is the founder of Combat Flip Flops, a company that fosters economic growth in post-conflict areas by manufacturing products like flip flops in unconventional locations, such as a combat boot factory in Afghanistan. After serving as a fire support officer...
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#106: Utilizing Military Experience in Corporate America with Heather Throne
Make Your Move with Gene Moran
“For anybody coming out of the military, reach out, build your network, and connect. Because wearing the uniform, hanging it up, and putting on the corporate America collared shirt…it's different.” — Heather Throne FEATURED GUEST Heather Throne is a seasoned business professional with over two decades of experience in the corporate sector. A former U.S. Army helicopter pilot and logistician, she transitioned from military service to the corporate world, bringing her leadership skills and analytical expertise to Siemens Healthineers. As a senior director focused on CRM excellence...
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#105: Military Experience Shaping Leadership with Tracey Jones
Make Your Move with Gene Moran
“I think in today's culture, the military teaches you sacrifice, conscientiousness, duty, work ethic, being open to trying new things, being a part of something other than yourself." — Tracey Jones FEATURED GUEST Dr. Tracey C. Jones is a renowned leader, author, and advocate for veterans transitioning to civilian careers. A distinguished Air Force Academy graduate and former officer, she brings extensive expertise from roles with organizations like Northrop Grumman and the NSA to her work at Tremendous Leadership and T3 Solutions, Inc. Through her books and engaging speaking style,...
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#104: Addressing Vicarious Trauma in Veterans with Tammy Laird
Make Your Move with Gene Moran
“When you're an empath, you feel what they feel. So, I carried a lot of their stuff, which you shouldn't do. But when you don't know what else to do, and you love them so fiercely, you end up carrying their stuff anyway because you're like, “God, how can I help?” - Tammy Laird FEATURED GUEST Tammy Laird is a veteran who has served in both the Army Reserves and the Air Force, with a particular sentiment towards the Army. She comes from a military family, with her father having served in the Air Force. Tammy has a diverse background, including roles as a wife, mother, homeschool...
info_outline"It's the worst feeling, no matter how minor the incident is that you are witnessing, whether you come up on it or you're in the middle of it and just not be prepared to have, to be able to help." —Valerie Lavin
FEATURED GUEST
Valerie Lavin is a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant with over two decades of military service. Following her transition from active duty, Valerie embarked on a successful journey into entrepreneurship. She co-founded Luminary Global, a company that provides emergency and trauma kits to first responders, military personnel, and everyday households, catering to both beginner and experienced preppers. Valerie is deeply embedded in the veteran business community. She is passionate about aiding veterans in their post-military transitions, sharing her own experiences and lessons learned, particularly emphasizing the importance of building a strong business infrastructure and honest communication with clients.
Connect with Valerie Lavin:
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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Valerie's transition from military service to entrepreneurship highlights the importance of being adaptable. Despite unforeseen challenges like the pandemic, Valerie and her team pivoted and thrived.
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Valerie emphasized the necessity of having a solid infrastructure for a business. As business opportunities arise, having the right foundation ensures you can scale and succeed without faltering.
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As Valerie discovered, working as part of a team — even a small one — can amplify creativity, problem-solving, and overall success.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
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[05:44] Business challenges led to successful distributorship opportunities.
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[11:15] Military experience and agility set us apart.
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[17:36] Started a veteran staffing company; it failed.
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[21:57] Embrace personal growth; entrepreneurship reveals true self.
YOUR MOVE
Connect with Gene:
Check Out These Resources:
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The Military Effect by Scott Manthorne