Service Academy Business Mastermind

Scott Mackes, USNA '01
  • 4.9 (34)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Service Academy Business Mastermind (SABM) is a transformational program for Service Academy graduates who are building businesses. Our podcast features entrepreneurial success stories from the Service Academy community (West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy). To learn more, please visit: www.sabmgroup.com.

  1. FEB 26

    #349: Helping Veterans Break Into Tech Sales with Andrew Garcia, USNA '10

    Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Andrew Garcia is a U.S. Navy veteran and founder of The Arena and Pursuit, two businesses focused on helping veterans and transitioning professionals break into the tech industry. After a successful career in tech sales at Salesforce, Andrew launched The Arena to provide veteran-friendly recruiting services for defense tech startups. He later expanded his mission through Pursuit, a career training platform designed to help aspiring tech sales professionals land their first role. Today, The Arena partners with growing companies to place high-performing sales talent, while Pursuit offers coaching, community, and an online platform that helps job seekers prepare for interviews, build professional habits, and stay accountable. With a long-term vision to build a full career pipeline, Andrew combines mentorship, training, and recruiting to help veterans succeed in high-growth industries.   In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Andrew about: Building a Dual Business Model: How The Arena and Pursuit work together to serve job seekers and hiring managers across the full tech sales career journey. From Salesforce to Startup Founder: Why Andrew left a stable career to test his skills and pursue entrepreneurship full time. The Pursuit Platform: What makes Pursuit training cohorts different, and how the platform helps veterans land roles faster with more confidence. Lifetime Value: Why Andrew created a lifetime membership program that helps graduates land jobs not just once, but throughout their careers. Data-Driven Recruiting: How The Arena is building a defense-tech talent insights platform to help startups hire smarter and faster. Timestamps: 00:08 Joining the Chess Team and Soccer at the Academy 02:04 Founding The Arena and Pursuit 05:01 Challenges and Successes in Entrepreneurship 11:40 Goals and Future Plans 22:17 Marketing and Business DevelopmentTimestamps: Connect with Andrew: LinkedIn | Andrew Garcia www.arena.vet | www.pursuit.vet  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. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Andrew for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

    32 min

  2. FEB 15

    #348: Revolutionizing TDY: How Furniture and Tech Are Solving a $10B Problem with Steve Buchanan, USMA '99

    Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Steve Buchanan is a U.S Army Veteran and the CEO of TDY Rentals, a company on a mission to transform the way government travelers experience temporary duty assignments. What started as a frustrating personal experience with TDY housing, turned into a purpose-driven venture to make extended stays feel less like deployments, and more like home. At TDY Rentals, Steve and his team provide fully furnished tech-enabled housing solutions tailored for government agencies, defense contractors, and active-duty personnel. With a focus on comfort, reliability and logistics, the company helps clients reduce cost, streamline coordination, and vastly improve the TDY experience. As a veteran entrepreneur, Steve is not just building a business, he's reshaping the standard for federal travel.      In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Steve about: From One Unit to Nationwide Reach: How a single TDY rental turned into a multi-million dollar business built by veterans, for veterans. Logistics at Scale: The behind-the-scenes systems that allow TDY Rentals to furnish, service, and manage properties across the country. Government Travel, Reimagined: What federal travelers really need, and why traditional lodging options fall short. Lessons in Leadership: How military experience shaped Steve's entrepreneurial journey and management style. A Mission to Serve: How TDY Rentals is creating long-term opportunities for veterans through hiring, partnerships, and purpose.   Timestamps: 00:07 First Impressions of 10X Vets & Value of In-Person Connections 02:21 Introduction to TDY Rentals & Steve's Background 08:08 How TDY Rentals Started and Gained Traction 13:37 How the Business Works + Customer Experience 22:32 Lodging, Furnishing, and Creative Budgeting for TDY 24:07 2026 Goals, Revenue Growth, and Property Expansion Connect with Steve: LinkedIn | Steve Buchanan www.tdyrentals.com steve@tdyrentals.com  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. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Steve for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

    44 min

  3. FEB 6

    #347: Scaling Businesses 10X in 3 Years with Jeff Evenson, USMA '90

    Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Charleston, SC on June 1st & 2nd? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Jeff Evenson is an experienced business leader and scaling strategist at scaling.com, where he works with founders who are ready to move from early traction to sustained growth. Alongside Blake Erickson and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, he helps entrepreneurs shift from being day-to-day operators to becoming strategic leaders who design companies that scale. Over the last two decades, Jeff built and exited multiple businesses, including a $3.5M hair salon operation, a manufacturing firm, and a machine shop. He formally entered the coaching space in 2021 and recently joined scaling.com after an introduction from fellow West Point graduate Freddie Kim. Today, his work centers on helping business owners grow with clarity and discipline through three guiding principles: raising frame, raising floor, and sharpening focus.     In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Jeff about: From West Point to Multiple Exits: Jeff's journey through the Army, corporate finance, business ownership, and the lessons learned from exiting companies through divorce and partnership dissolution. The Three Pillars of 10X Growth: How a simple, proven framework turns seemingly impossible goals into achievable ones in three years or less. The Print Shop Case Study: How one business owner went from $850K to a path toward $10M by eliminating sub-$5k clients and acquiring a $3M company with a built-in sales team. Operator to Architect: Why the biggest transformation isn't in your business model, it's in who you need to become to lead a 10x company. The Big Vision: Scaling.com's goal to help 5,000 businesses scale simultaneously in the next two years.   Timestamps: 01:02 Jeff's Journey from West Point to Scaling.com 05:02  Why 10X is Easier Than 2X 09:07 The Three Pillars: Frame, Floor, and Focus 12:34 Case Study: Scaling a Print Shop from $850K to $10M 26:57 Transformation Required, Operator to Architect 34:19 Scaling.com's Vision and How to Get Involved Connect with Jeff: LinkedIn | Jeff Evenson www.scaling.com jeff@scaling.com  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. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Jeff for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

    42 min

  4. JAN 16

    #346: How EOS Helps Founders Get Their Life Back with Kurt Greene, USMA '87

    Kurt Greene is a certified EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide, where he helps leadership teams build stronger, more scalable companies. A graduate of West Point and an Army veteran, Kurt brings a unique mix of Fortune 500 leadership, HR expertise, and peer-group facilitation experience through Vistage Worldwide, Inc. He works with founders and executive teams to implement practical tools that cut through complexity so they can regain control, align their teams, and get back to their visionary role. Whether partnering with veteran-owned businesses or mission-driven entrepreneurs, Kurt's work is grounded in service: helping leaders lead better, build healthier teams, and create workplaces people actually want to be part of.     In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Kurt about: The EOS Framework: Kurt explains how EOS equips overwhelmed business owners with tools to get out of the weeds and back to thinking big. Right People, Right Seat: The "right people, right seats" approach brings clarity to hiring and retention, helping teams align on values, roles, and performance. Visionaries vs. Integrators: Founders can't keep straddling roles forever. Defining the integrator role frees up leaders to lead, and keeps the trains running on time.    EOS Life: A business should work for you, not the other way around. EOS makes space for leaders to do what they love, with people they enjoy, and get paid fairly for it, Veteran-Led Goals: With a service-driven mission, more veteran-led businesses are using EOS to create healthy, well-led teams and long-term growth.   Timestamps: 00:31 Kurt's Journey to Becoming an EOS Implementer 03:28 Common Challenges Faced by Business Owners 06:40 The EOS Life and Its Benefits 07:22 The EOS Implementation Process 10:58 Key EOS Tools and Frameworks 16:47 Structuring the Leadership Team 27:05 Kurt's Business Goals and Vision 32:37 Conclusion and Contact Information Connect with Kurt: LinkedIn | Kurt Greene eosworldwide.com kurtgreene@eosworldwide.com (865) 407-0703 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. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Kurt for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

    36 min

  5. JAN 8

    #345: Helping Veterans Thrive Through Wild Bill's Franchise with Michael Quilty, USNA '88

    Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ ____ Michael Quilty (USNA '88) is a Navy veteran and franchise development leader who's built his career around creating opportunities for others. After years leading growth and strategy across multiple industries, he's now focused on helping fellow veterans transition to entrepreneurship through franchising. At Wild Bill's, he plays a key role in growing the company's franchise footprint, and expanding the presence of their nostalgic craft soda brand across the country. Michael's work focuses on identifying the right partners, particularly military veterans for opportunities that combine operational excellence with community engagement. His leadership is driven by purpose: helping others succeed while scaling a mission-led business.   In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Michael about: The Wild Bill's Franchise Model: A turnkey opportunity centered on events, nostalgia, and customer engagement. Veteran Empowerment: How franchising provides a path to ownership and autonomy after military service. Business Expansion: The challenges and rewards of scaling a product-driven brand through national events and local franchises. Leadership and Mindset: Why teamwork, resilience, and adaptability matter most in business. Looking Ahead: The future of Wild Bill's and how others can get involved.   Timestamps: 00:26 Surviving the COVID-19 Pandemic 04:43 The Origin Story of Wild Bill's Soda 07:40 The Business Model and Franchise Expansion 12:23 A Day in the Life of a Franchisee 18:00 Future Goals and Opportunities 28:18 Conclusion and Contact Information Connect with Michael: LinkedIn | Michael Quilty www.drinkwildbills.com 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. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Michael for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

    33 min

  6. JAN 5

    #344: Helping High School Students Navigate the Service Academy Admissions Journey with Travis Wittick, USAFA '07

    Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Tampa, FL on January 26th & 27th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Travis Wittick is the founder of Academy Endeavors, a coaching company that helps high school students navigate the competitive and complex admissions process for U.S. Service Academies and ROTC scholarships. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and former Air Force hospital administrator, Travis first discovered his passion for mentorship as an Academy Liaison Officer helping students prepare their applications while still on active duty. After transitioning to the civilian sector and earning his MBA from Duke, Travis launched Academy Endeavors in 2020 leaving his corporate job and betting on his vision full-time. Since then, the company has grown steadily, with an 85% success rate and 40–50% year-over-year growth. Travis and his growing team of Academy graduate coaches now support families across the country with application strategy, essay development, interview prep, and ongoing guidance from freshman year to appointment day. In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Travis about: The Mission Behind Academy Endeavors: Helping families gain clarity, confidence, and strategic support throughout the service academy admissions journey. From Side Hustle to Full-Time Impact: How Travis made the leap from corporate America to founder and gained traction during COVID. A Coach's Perspective: Why application success starts with storytelling, mentorship, and early preparation. Growing a Values-Driven Team: His vision for hiring Academy grads as assistant coaches and culture carriers. Academy vs. ROTC Options: Helping students and families make informed decisions that lead to service and scholarship opportunities even outside the academy path.   Timestamps: 00:36 Travis's Background and Academy Experience 08:06 Launching Academy Endeavors 11:17 Early Success and COVID-19 Impact 13:46 Ideal Start Time for Academy Preparation 23:45 Indirect Benefits for College Applications 34:25 Hiring and Team Expansion Connect with Travis: LinkedIn | Travis Wittick www.academyendeavors.com support@academyendeavors.com  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. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Travis for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

    49 min

  7. 12/15/2025

    #343: Leveraging AI to Close Real Estate Loans Faster with Zach Farkas, Army Veteran

    Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Tampa, FL on January 26th & 27th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Speaker Bio:  Zach Farkas is the founder of Relos, a proptech company automating real estate workflows to streamline transaction coordination and reduce hours of manual work. Before launching Relos, Zach was the #4 ranked VA lender in the nation, a career he built by focusing not on volume, but on educating veterans about how to leverage their VA home loan benefits. A former Army officer, Zach built his lending business by combining his personal mission with practical insight, and carried that same energy into Relos. Frustrated by the inefficiencies in real estate operations. He created a system that uses AI to extract contract data, assign stakeholder tasks, and help lenders save up to 12 hours per transaction. Now, Zach's focused on scaling Relos into a category-defining platform.   In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Zach about: From Lender to Founder: How Zach built a top lending career by educating veterans before shifting into proptech. The Problem with Real Estate Ops: Why outdated workflows are still the norm, and what Relos is doing about it. AI-Powered Contract Automation: How Relos reads real estate contracts and turns them into stakeholder action plans. User Experience is Everything: Why customer success is more important than sales for long-term adoption. Big Vision, Big Surface Area: Zach's plan to build the next proptech unicorn by owning the transaction workflow. Timestamps: 00:41 Zach's Journey to Becoming a Top VA Lender 04:08 Transitioning from Lending to Real Estate Technology 08:32 How REOs Works: Streamlining Real Estate Transactions 11:51 Goals and Future Vision for REOs 14:01 Challenges and How You Can Help 15:21 Conclusion and Contact Information Connect with Zach: LinkedIn | Zach Farkas www.tryrelos.com zach@relos.com  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. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Zach for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

    19 min

  8. 11/30/2025

    #342: Strengthening the Backbone of Business (and Self) with Omar Ritter, USMA '00

    Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Tampa, FL on January 26th & 27th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Omar Ritter is a West Point graduate, fractional CFO, and the author of West Point to Wall Street: My Journey to Mental Wellness. Currently serving as an Area President at FocusCFO, he helps small and mid-sized businesses improve their financial visibility and achieve sustainable growth. With a career spanning financial leadership, entrepreneurship, and military service, Omar works to strengthen the backbone of small business communities through expert financial guidance and genuine care. At FocusCFO, Omar provides business owners with fractional CFO support, helping them clarify their financials, structure operations, and prepare for strategic exits or growth opportunities. Beyond numbers, Omar is an advocate for mental wellness in high-performing communities, openly sharing his own journey through burnout, healing, and growth. His work bridges financial strategy and personal resilience, empowering others to succeed in business and life.     In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Omar about: FocusCFO's Model: How fractional CFO services help business owners regain clarity and control. Mental Health Advocacy: Why high performers need to prioritize emotional and psychological well-being. The Power of Structure: How Omar helps businesses build financial systems that drive growth. Lessons from Burnout: Personal insights from Omar's journey through mental health challenges and healing. From Book to Mission: The story behind West Point to Wall Street and the message it carries for fellow leaders. Timestamps: 00:54 Omar's Background and Focus CFO 02:24 Services Offered by Focus CFO 05:54 When to Hire a Fractional CFO 08:57 Case Study: Transforming a Business 18:13 The Importance of Mental Wellness 30:14 Conclusion and Contact Information Connect with Omar: LinkedIn | Omar Ritter www.focuscfo.com omarritter@gmail.com  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. Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show: Apple Podcasts Spotify Leave us a 5-star review! A special thank you to Omar for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

    40 min
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4.9
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About

The Service Academy Business Mastermind (SABM) is a transformational program for Service Academy graduates who are building businesses. Our podcast features entrepreneurial success stories from the Service Academy community (West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy). To learn more, please visit: www.sabmgroup.com.

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