#314: Scaling an Office Snack Business Nationwide with Claude Burns, USNA ‘06
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Release Date: 03/14/2025
#333: Revolutionizing Agriculture Through AI-Powered Farm Finance with Ajit Purandare, USMA ’95
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: ____ Ajit Purandare is the Chief Revenue Officer at Croptell, a FinTech company revolutionizing agricultural finance through artificial intelligence. He brings a unique perspective to the agricultural space, having grown up in farming communities on the eastern shore of Delaware in the heart of "chicken country". A West Point graduate, Ajit joined Croptell after consulting with founder Scott Sartor for two years. What started as a relationship built...
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#332: He’s 26 and Already Raising His Second Real Estate Fund with Briar Bearss, USMA ‘22
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: ____ Briar Bearss is the Founder and CEO of Bearss Residential, a real estate company that owns and operates subsidized housing for over 100 families and veterans across the Midwest. He is also an active duty armor officer and mission-driven entrepreneur focused on serving vulnerable communities. A West Point graduate, he built his military career leading scout platoons, with his unit earning recognition as the number one Bradley Scout platoon in the...
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#331: Band of Brothers Legacy: A Journey from D-Day to Today with Chase Millsap, Brett Lea, and Alex Sabga-Brady
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: ____ This week on the SABM Podcast, we’re joined by Chase Millsap (USNA ’05), Brett Lea, and Alex Sabga-Brady, the producers behind D-Day to Today: The Band of Brothers Legacy, a forthcoming documentary exploring the lasting impact of the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers on modern-day service members and military culture. Chase Millsap is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, former Marine infantry officer, and Army National Guard Special Forces veteran. After...
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#330: Leadership, Legacy, and Launching the Total Force Plus Conference with Brian Kelly, CEO of MOAA
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: ____ Brian Kelly is the President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), a nonprofit organization focused on advocating for military personnel, veterans, and their families. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a three-star general after more than 33 years of service, most recently serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services. A proud graduate of Notre Dame and the Air Command and Staff College (Class...
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#329: Unlocking the Power of Breathwork with Kevin Raney, USAFA ‘02
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: ____ Kevin Rainey is a certified breathwork coach, former Air Force officer, and seasoned project manager with over 20 years of experience leading programs around the world. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, he built his career in Information Technology and Communications, known for bringing camaraderie, community, and grit to every team he led. His journey took a powerful turn during a breathwork and cold plunge session that sparked deep personal...
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#328: Transforming the Future of Property Valuation with AI with Richard Kenny, USAFA ‘09
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: ____ Richard Kenny is the founder of Falcon Capital Real Estate and Valuation Pro, bringing together decades of valuation expertise with a focus on innovation in commercial real estate. At Falcon Capital, he helps partners access institutional-grade deals by providing co-GP capital, underwriting support, and strategic insight on complex transactions. Valuation Pro, his AI-powered platform, delivers fast, accurate property valuations for investors, brokers,...
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#327: Unlocking Real Value in Small Business Acquisitions with Dave Lam, USAFA ‘11
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Dave Lam is a seasoned investor, veteran, and strategic operator focused on unlocking value in microcap and lower-middle market companies. A former U.S. Air Force contracting officer, he offers deep expertise on execution, strategy, and operational excellence. As a Principal at Phalanx Partners, he helps lead independent sponsorship and advisory efforts for growing companies across multiple sectors. He is also a Managing Principal at Oakwood Legacy Partners, a private holding company investing in alternative assets including real estate, cryptocurrency, and private debt. With a decade of...
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#326: Helping Entrepreneurs Break Into Franchising with Josh Emison, USNA ‘14
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Joshua Emison is the founder of Tracer Franchising, where he helps individuals identify proven, scalable franchise opportunities tailored to their financial and lifestyle goals. With a background in business development and a sharp eye for operational models, he simplifies what’s often a crowded and confusing process in franchising. Josh works across industries to guide clients toward sustainable, long-term ownership—whether they’re exploring their first opportunity or expanding an existing portfolio. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former Marine Corps Infantry Officer,...
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#325: Inspiring Change Through Filmmaking with Zachary Guerra, USNA ‘00
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: ____ Zachary Guerra is a powerful force in storytelling, making the leap from Naval Aviator flying S-3B Vikings to directing multi-million-dollar productions for some of the world’s biggest brands. Over the past decade, Zachary has directed and produced more than 25 high-impact campaigns for global brands such as Apple and ESPN, managing more than $34 million in production budgets. As a Director, Writer, and Producer, Zachary has written 15+ screenplays and...
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#324: From Free Help to General Partner: How a Young Grad Earned His Seat at the Table with Rob Pekarek, USNA ‘21
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: ____ Rob Pekarek is an Operations Research Analyst at Air Combat Command and a General Partner in multifamily real estate. On active duty, he serves on the staff of the four-star General commanding ACC, where he leads teams that solve operational challenges across the Air Force using tools like Python, Excel, and PowerPoint automation. His work has improved aircraft scheduling, streamlined data systems, and delivered practical solutions to commanders on base....
info_outlineNeed financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/
Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events
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Claude Burns is a visionary entrepreneur, veteran, and startup founder transforming the workplace food and beverage industry. A former Navy Officer, he brings a mission-driven approach to leadership, strategy, and innovation.
As the Founder and CEO of Office Libations, he is redefining B2B food service with a tech-driven model that optimizes inventory, reduces costs, and enhances service. Competing with industry giants, Office Libations has rapidly expanded operations across multiple markets, serving Fortune 500 firms and high-growth startups with a seamless, scalable solution. By combining technology with hospitality, Claude has built a company that delivers both efficiency and exceptional service, reshaping how businesses approach workplace amenities.
With a strong foundation in operations and business growth, he is leading Office Libations toward national expansion, setting a new standard in workplace hospitality and industry innovation.
In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Claude about:
- Revolutionizing Office Hospitality: Blending technology, efficiency, and premium service to transform workplace perks.
- Thriving Through Uncertainty: Overcoming the loss of 95% of revenue and staff, making tough decisions, and rebuilding through resilience and innovation.
- Taking on Industry Giants: Competing with legacy providers by delivering smarter, tech-driven solutions.
- Fueling Fortune 500 Workplaces: Providing top-tier coffee, snacks, and drinks to leading companies.
- Scaling for Impact: Expanding into new markets and redefining the future of workplace amenities.
Timestamps:
- 00:17 Reflecting on the Past: January 24th, 2020
- 01:13 Introduction to Office Libations
- 02:30 Impact of the Pandemic on Business
- 03:35 Surviving the Gauntlet: Strategies and Adaptations
- 08:16 Rebuilding and Innovating Post-Pandemic
- 14:11 Future Goals and Expansion Plans
- 23:51 Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Connect with Claude Burns:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://officelibations.com/about-us/
If you found value in today’s episode, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you’re a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we’d love for you to join our community and get started today.
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A special thank you to Claude Burns for joining me this week. Until next time!
-Scott Mackes, USNA ’01