Veteran Business Community Podcast

Peter Liston, Co-Founder - VBC
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  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

There are many lessons business can learn from the military and your host Pete Liston is going to share exactly what he learnt in the Australian Army that has allowed him to create and build multiple 7 figure businesses. Pete will be joined by guests who have also transitioned from military to entrepreneurship and are keen to share their stories.

  1. 20h ago

    E131 | Daniel Capilli – CONDITN: Creating a Fast-Growing Gym Brand. How to Do It—and Do You Want to Invest?

    💪 From one studio to 19—and still growing. E131 | Daniel Capilli – CONDITN: Creating a Fast-Growing Gym Brand. How to Do It—and Do You Want to Invest? Daniel Capilli served in the Royal Australian Navy for almost 11 years as an Electronics Technician. Sport and fitness were a major part of his service, particularly rugby league and union. While preparing to transition, Daniel completed his fitness qualifications before moving into personal training and learning the gym industry from the ground up. Daniel and his team launched the first CONDITN studio in January 2024. The brand has since grown to 19 locations across Australia, combining structured strength and conditioning programs with the teamwork, accountability and community Daniel valued in the Navy. Members can choose between strength, conditioning and hybrid sessions while tracking their progress through regular testing and technology. In this episode, Daniel explains how strong systems, consistent programming, welcoming coaches and local community engagement have supported CONDITN’s rapid growth. He also discusses the path towards approximately 50 Australian studios and the different opportunities available through franchising, joint ventures and investment. A practical conversation for anyone interested in fitness, business ownership or joining a growing gym brand. 🌐 Learn more:👉 https://conditn.com/ 🌐 Join the VBC Community:👉 https://veteranbc.com/join-the-community #VBC #VBCPodcast #VeteranBusinessCommunity #VeteranBusiness #CONDITN #FitnessBusiness #GymFr

    E131 | Daniel Capilli – CONDITN: Creating a Fast-Growing Gym Brand. How to Do It—and Do You Want to Invest?

  2. Sep 27

    E130 | Andrew Bridge – Informatech: Defence Connect Veteran Business of the Year 2026

    🏆 Veteran-led capability recognised at the highest level. E130 | Andrew Bridge – Informatech: Defence Connect Veteran Business of the Year 2026 Andrew Bridge joined the Australian Army at 17, graduating from ADFA before serving as an Artillery officer. His career included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, work in the Solomon Islands and a posting as an instructor at RMC. When a medical condition ended his full-time service, Andrew moved into business—eventually joining Informatech, where he is now CEO. Founded by Navy veterans Nathan and Scott, Informatech provides integration and assurance services across Defence, national security and the Australian Government. Its capabilities include ICT testing and evaluation, cyber assurance and helping new technologies integrate safely and effectively into complex environments. Andrew also shares how the company grew from around 50 employees to more than 250 at its peak while adapting to major changes across the Defence market. In this episode, Andrew discusses Informatech being named Veteran Business of the Year at the 2026 Defence Connect Australian Defence Industry Awards, the challenges SMEs face within Defence supply chains and why veteran-owned businesses deserve greater procurement opportunities. A wide-ranging conversation about transition, entrepreneurship, AI, sovereign capability and the value veterans bring to Australian industry. 🌐 Learn more:👉 https://www.informatech.com.au/ 🌐 Join the VBC Community:👉 https://veteranbc.com/join-the-community #VBC #VBCPodcast #VeteranBusinessCommunity #VeteranBusiness #Informatech #DefenceIndustry #VeteranOwned #CyberAssurance #ICTTesting #AustralianDefenceIndustryAwards #SovereignCapability #StillServing

    E130 | Andrew Bridge – Informatech: Defence Connect Veteran Business of the Year 2026

  3. Sep 20

    E129 | Kane Dury – Kane Dury – Discover Buyers Agency: From Army Mechanic to Helping Veterans Build Wealth Through Property

    🏠 From turning spanners to building property portfolios. E129 | Kane Dury – Kane Dury – Discover Buyers Agency: From Army Mechanic to Helping Veterans Build Wealth Through Property Kane Dury joined the Australian Army at 18 and served as a RAEME Vehicle Mechanic, later reaching the rank of Sergeant. While posted to Townsville, he purchased his first property at 22 and became fascinated with property investing. By 24, he owned three properties, setting him on a path that eventually led him to leave Defence and pursue a career in property and finance. In this Land Forces Spotlight episode, Kane explains how Discover Buyers Agency helps owner-occupiers and investors develop a clear property strategy, research suitable markets, conduct thorough due diligence and negotiate with the buyer’s interests in mind. He also discusses why current and former ADF members must consider their individual postings, rent assistance and Defence housing entitlements when planning their property journey. Kane openly shares the costly lessons from his first purchase, including limited growth and its later exposure to flooding. A practical conversation about seeking the right advice, understanding fair market value and avoiding emotional or poorly researched decisions when making one of life’s largest investments. 🌐 Learn more:👉 https://www.discoverbuyersagency.com.au/ 🌐 Join the VBC Community:👉 https://veteranbc.com/join-the-community #VBC #VBCPodcast #VeteranBusinessCommunity #VeteranBusiness #DiscoverBuyersAgency #PropertyInvestment #BuyersAgent #PropertyStrategy #AustralianArmy #RAEME #LandForces2026 #StillServing

    E129 | Kane Dury – Kane Dury – Discover Buyers Agency: From Army Mechanic to Helping Veterans Build Wealth Through Property

  4. Sep 13

    E128 | Greg Jenkins - a courageous story of never giving up the search and fight for his mum who was killed as a victim of crime in Malaysia. (p.s. Veteran business owner as well)

    🕊️ Turning unimaginable loss into a reason to keep helping others. E128 | Greg Jenkins - a courageous story of never giving up the search and fight for his mum who was killed as a victim of crime in Malaysia. (p.s. Veteran business owner as well) Greg Jenkins served in the Royal Australian Air Force for 26 years, beginning as an Airfield Defence Guard before moving into human intelligence and reaching the rank of Flight Sergeant. His career included deployments to Timor-Leste, Qatar, Afghanistan and Iraq, but his most difficult fight began while he was still serving. In December 2017, Greg’s mum, Anna, disappeared during a visit to Malaysia. Faced with delays, unanswered questions and a lack of support, Greg made nearly 80 trips to Malaysia to search for her and pursue justice. He now uses that experience to support other Australian families affected by crimes overseas while advocating for stronger recognition and assistance through the Victims of Crime framework. Greg also shares how purpose shaped his two veteran-owned businesses. Outpost Advocacy provides ethical, capped-fee advocacy and ongoing support for veterans, while Frannkly Roasted—named after his parents, Frank and Anna—helps fund support for veterans, first responders and victims of crime. A deeply personal conversation about service, persistence and creating something positive from unimaginable loss. 🌐 Learn more:👉 https://outpostadvocacy.com/👉 https://frannklyroasted.com.au/ 🌐 Join the VBC Community:👉 https://veteranbc.com/join-our-community #VBC #VBCPodcast #VeteranBusinessCommunity #VeteranBusiness #OutpostAdvocacy #FrannklyRoasted #VeteranAdvocacy #VictimsOfCrime #RAAFVeteran #Persistence #CommunitySupport #StillServing

    E128 | Greg Jenkins - a courageous story of never giving up the search and fight for his mum who was killed as a victim of crime in Malaysia. (p.s. Veteran business owner as well)

  5. Sep 9

    E127 | Mick Lee – Nucleus Evolution: What Do the Army and Federal Police Have in Common? Training at the Core of Their Values. How Mick Took This Experience to Create a Specialist Training Company in WA.

    🎯 Training that holds up when the pressure is on. E127 | Mick Lee – Nucleus Evolution: What Do the Army and Federal Police Have in Common? Training at the Core of Their Values. How Mick Took This Experience to Create a Specialist Training Company in WA. Mick Lee is an Australian Army veteran who served in the Royal Australian Regiment before spending 10 years in federal law enforcement. Working within the Australian Federal Police’s School of Law Enforcement Intelligence, he helped design and deliver specialist training in Australia and overseas before moving into learning and development consultancy. In this episode, Mick explains how Nucleus Evolution helps organisations build practical training that delivers lasting results. Its neuroscience-informed Calm, Safe, Excellence framework draws on the muscle memory developed through military and law-enforcement training, helping people remain capable when pressure rises instead of forgetting what they learned months earlier. Mick also shares lessons from performing stand-up comedy at veteran events and why holding an audience’s attention is just as important in a training room. He encourages veteran business owners not to limit themselves to the Defence sector, but to take their skills into industries facing the same challenges. A practical conversation about workplace learning, performance under pressure and building a business around measurable outcomes. 🌐 Learn more:👉 https://www.nucleusevolution.com.au 🌐 Meet Mick at the Veteran-Owned Pavilion:👉 Land Forces 2026 | 6–8 October | Perth 🌐 Join the VBC Community:👉 https://veteranbc.com/join-our-community #VBC #VBCPodcast #VeteranBusinessCommunity #VeteranBusiness #NucleusEvolution #LearningAndDevelopment #WorkplaceTraining #PerformanceUnderPressure #AustralianArmy #LawEnforcement #LandForces2026 #StillServing

    E127 | Mick Lee – Nucleus Evolution: What Do the Army and Federal Police Have in Common? Training at the Core of Their Values. How Mick Took This Experience to Create a Specialist Training Company in WA.

  6. Sep 6

    E126 | Rick Van Driel - GNR8 & Symphony - veteran founded software solutions to empower content creation and support complex sales solutions.

    💡 Simplifying technology to solve real business problems. E126 | Rick Van Driel - GNR8 & Symphony - veteran founded software solutions to empower content creation and support complex sales solutions. Rick van Driel joined the Australian Army at 17, beginning in the Survey Corps before transferring to RAEME as technology entered the workplace. After leaving Defence, he built a 27-year career across IT, consulting and sales—working on major projects, running businesses and selling complex, multimillion-dollar solutions. After leaving the corporate world, Rick founded Team Solutions Group and developed Symphony, a platform designed to help organisations navigate complex sales involving multiple stakeholders, long decision cycles and tenders. It helps sales teams better understand their customers, build decision confidence and spend more time having meaningful conversations. Rick also created GNR8, a marketing automation platform that helps small and medium businesses research audiences, find leads and create branded content for LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. A practical conversation about using technology to reduce repetitive work, simplify complexity and give business owners more time to focus on their customers, families and the outcomes that matter. 🌐 Learn more:👉 https://teamsolutionsgroup.com.au 🌐 Join the VBC Community:👉 https://veteranbc.com/join-our-community #VBC #VBCPodcast #VeteranBusinessCommunity #VeteranBusiness #TeamSolutionsGroup #GNR8 #Symphony #SalesTechnology #MarketingAutomation #ComplexSales #ArtificialIntelligence #RAEME #StillServing

    E126 | Rick Van Driel - GNR8 & Symphony - veteran founded software solutions to empower content creation and support complex sales solutions.

  7. Sep 3

    E125 | Wayne Bemet – National Service Financial: How Does a Navy Lad Deploy in a Wedgetail and End Up Starting a Leading Veteran-Focused Financial Planning Business? It’s a Top Yarn.

    ⚓ From the Navy to financial planning with purpose. E125 | Wayne Bemet – National Service Financial: How Does a Navy Lad Deploy in a Wedgetail and End Up Starting a Leading Veteran-Focused Financial Planning Business? It’s a Top Yarn. Wayne Bemet served in the ADF for 20 years, building a Navy career that eventually took him into fighter control and an unusual joint-service role aboard the RAAF’s E-7A Wedgetail. After five operational deployments, Wayne’s career ended through medical discharge—forcing him to consider what life, work and financial security would look like for him and his family beyond service. Drawing on that personal experience, Wayne founded National Service Financial to help veterans navigate the financial side of transition, including DVA compensation, military superannuation, insurance and long-term planning. His team has now supported more than 2,000 veterans and pioneered a dedicated Financial Transition Program designed to help ADF members prepare before they walk out the gate for the final time. Wayne also shares how a serious health scare prompted him to reconsider his workload and redefine his role within the business. Today, he is expanding his impact through the Military Money YouTube channel, media advocacy and mentoring athletes—drawing on the strong similarities he sees between elite sport and military service. A top yarn about service, transition, purpose and building a business from lived experience. 🌐 Learn more:👉 https://www.nationalservicefinancial.com.au/ 🌐 Join the VBC Community:👉 https://veteranbc.com/join-our-community #VBC #VBCPodcast #VeteranBusinessCommunity #VeteranBusiness #NationalServiceFinancial #MilitaryMoney #FinancialPlanning #FinancialTransition #ADFTransition #RoyalAustralianNavy #VeteranSupport #StillServing

    E125 | Wayne Bemet – National Service Financial: How Does a Navy Lad Deploy in a Wedgetail and End Up Starting a Leading Veteran-Focused Financial Planning Business? It’s a Top Yarn.

  8. Aug 30

    E124 | Stuart Organ – Total Fit Outs Perth: Building a Business Focused on Life and Legacy

    🏗️ Building a business—and a legacy that lasts. E124 | Stuart Organ – Total Fit Outs Perth: Building a Business Focused on Life and Legacy Stuart Organ left school at 12 and experienced an unstable childhood before joining the Royal Corps of Transport at 17. The British Army gave him the structure, accountability and discipline that changed the direction of his life—qualities he has carried into business, family and everything he has built since. After leaving the Army for love, Stuart moved from driving and labouring into carpentry, contract management and commercial construction. He later relocated to Perth with his wife and three children, eventually establishing his own building business and joining Total Fit Outs. Today, he leads a growing team delivering commercial fit-outs across retail, hospitality, health, wellness and office spaces, supported by design, estimating and joinery capabilities. In this episode, Stuart shares the value of choosing the right franchise, surrounding yourself with good people and building complementary services around a core business. He also explains why success is no longer about chasing the highest revenue—it is about selecting the right clients, protecting time with family and creating an asset that can support his wife, children and five granddaughters. An honest conversation about hard work, calculated growth and building a life and legacy beyond the income. 🌐 Learn more:👉 https://www.totalfitouts.com.au/ 🌐 Join the VBC Community:👉 https://veteranbc.com/join-our-community #VBC #VBCPodcast #VeteranBusinessCommunity #VeteranBusiness #TotalFitOuts #CommercialFitOuts #Construction #Franchising #BusinessGrowth #FamilyBusiness #Legacy #BritishArmy #StillServing

    E124 | Stuart Organ – Total Fit Outs Perth: Building a Business Focused on Life and Legacy
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There are many lessons business can learn from the military and your host Pete Liston is going to share exactly what he learnt in the Australian Army that has allowed him to create and build multiple 7 figure businesses. Pete will be joined by guests who have also transitioned from military to entrepreneurship and are keen to share their stories.

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