Service Academy Business Mastermind Scott Mackes, USNA '01

Hey team! Before we dive in, I've got some exciting announcements:
1) Join us on August 8th NJ for an exclusive Advanced Real Estate Investing Workshop & Networking Event at the prestigious Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, NJ.  This premier event is crafted to elevate your real estate investing skills with institutional-level analysis. Whether you're a private investor, a commercial real estate operator, or work in the commercial real estate industry, this is your chance to expand your network and learn from the best. Space is limited, so don’t miss out!  Register here: https://www.10xvets.com/advanced-real-estate-workshop
2) On October 1st we're heading to Charleston, SC for an incredible retreat. We'll kick off with a business mastermind session at the Harbour Club in downtown Charleston. Later, we'll set sail on a harbor cruise and enjoy a fantastic dinner together. On October 2nd, get ready for an exciting inshore fishing tournament with a fleet of fishing boats. It's going to be an unforgettable experience and an opportunity to surround yourself with like-minded successful veterans who are pushing each other to greatness.  Register here: https://www.10xvets.com/charleston-event
To learn more and register for these events, visit 10xvets.com/events. Hope to see you there!
Today's Podcast:
“Our vision is that child welfare is enabled, as a system, to support families and children rather than to separate them.” -Jennifer Jacobs, USMA ‘93
Jennifer Jacobs is the CEO and Co-founder of Connect Our Kids, a technology nonprofit dedicated to helping social workers, lawyers, family recruiters, and CASA/GAL volunteers find supportive family connections and natural support networks for America’s most vulnerable. The organization’s advanced tech tools speed up and scale up techniques for finding extended family members and other caring adults for children in foster care. Jennifer has applied her technical expertise gained from working in nuclear counterterrorism as an Army Officer to Connect Our Kids. The organization has affected 18,000 children and found over half a million connections for those children, touching the lives of over 10,000 American families.
In this episode, we discuss:
Where Jennifer came up with the idea to create Connect Our Kids How the technology works to help social workers do their job more efficiently Impactful success stories of children being connected with family members and adults in their circle Jennifer’s long-term vision for Connect Our Kids and her short-term goals for 2024 The challenges Jennifer is facing and the support she needs to help Connect Our Kids grow Jennifer explains that social workers who work in child welfare can use the tools provided by Connect Our Kids to build out a “map” for a child. This helps to organize all known information about the child’s family and other adults in their circle and search for more details on the Internet through the Connect Our Kids People Search technology. By having a tool that searches for and organizes all of the key details, social workers have more time, bandwidth, and emotional energy to do the human work of social work. Due to Jennifer’s smart application of modern technology, Connect Our Kids is impacting the lives of thousands of children and families. Thank you, Jennifer, for creating tools that help foster children be connected to their people.
Connect with Jennifer:
LinkedIn connectourkids.org jennifer@connectourkids.org  If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.
Subscribe and help out the show:
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Jennifer for joining me this week. Until next time!
-Scott Mackes, USNA ’01

Hey team! Before we dive in, I've got some exciting announcements:
1) Join us on August 8th NJ for an exclusive Advanced Real Estate Investing Workshop & Networking Event at the prestigious Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, NJ.  This premier event is crafted to elevate your real estate investing skills with institutional-level analysis. Whether you're a private investor, a commercial real estate operator, or work in the commercial real estate industry, this is your chance to expand your network and learn from the best. Space is limited, so don’t miss out!  Register here: https://www.10xvets.com/advanced-real-estate-workshop
2) On October 1st we're heading to Charleston, SC for an incredible retreat. We'll kick off with a business mastermind session at the Harbour Club in downtown Charleston. Later, we'll set sail on a harbor cruise and enjoy a fantastic dinner together. On October 2nd, get ready for an exciting inshore fishing tournament with a fleet of fishing boats. It's going to be an unforgettable experience and an opportunity to surround yourself with like-minded successful veterans who are pushing each other to greatness.  Register here: https://www.10xvets.com/charleston-event
To learn more and register for these events, visit 10xvets.com/events. Hope to see you there!
Today's Podcast:
“[As veterans], we’re adept at creating order from chaos. I think that lends itself well to being an entrepreneur. You’re able to step back, assess the situation, and try to create some order around what is happening.” -Rich Vaill, USNA ‘88
Rich Vaill is the President of Custom Marketing Solutions LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and vertically integrated print marketing agency specializing in offset print, digital print, large format projects, and promotional products. Rich and his team run a nimble shop that can handle large-scale projects based on each client’s needs. After 20 years in the financial sector, Rich transitioned into entrepreneurship by acquiring Custom Marketing Solutions LLC in 2023. He is a 1988 United States Naval Academy graduate and a Marine Corps veteran.
In this episode, we discuss:
Rich’s transition from finance to entrepreneurship Key pieces of advice Rich would give to someone who wants to buy a business The printing services offered by Custom Marketing Solutions LLC How the skills from Rich’s time in the Marine Corps have translated to owning a business and leading his team The goals Rich has for the rest of the year and the biggest challenges he is facing as he establishes himself in his new role Major career transitions are not easy, and Rich made a big leap from the financial sector to becoming an entrepreneur through acquisition. His two key pieces of advice for others who are buying a business? Ask a lot of questions and make sure you have the right trusted advisors around you. Acquiring a business takes time and there are many steps to go through, but when you have a knowledgeable team supporting you, it makes for a smooth process. We enjoyed discussing entrepreneurship, leadership, and best practices as a business owner with Rich and are excited to see him succeed with his new company, Custom Marketing Solutions LLC. Thank you, Rich!
Connect with Rich:
LinkedIn Custom Marketing Solutions LLC rich@cmsgroupllc.com If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.
Subscribe and help out the show:
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Rich for joining me this week. Until next time!
Are you a real estate investor in need of financing for your next investment property? The Academy Fund has you covered! Whether you're working on “fix-and-flip” projects, land development,

 
Hey team! Before we dive in, I've got some exciting announcements:
1) Join us on August 8th NJ for an exclusive Advanced Real Estate Investing Workshop & Networking Event at the prestigious Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, NJ.  This premier event is crafted to elevate your real estate investing skills with institutional-level analysis. Whether you're a private investor, a commercial real estate operator, or work in the commercial real estate industry, this is your chance to expand your network and learn from the best. Space is limited, so don’t miss out!  Register here: https://www.10xvets.com/advanced-real-estate-workshop
2) On October 1st we're heading to Charleston, SC for an incredible retreat. We'll kick off with a business mastermind session at the Harbour Club in downtown Charleston. Later, we'll set sail on a harbor cruise and enjoy a fantastic dinner together. On October 2nd, get ready for an exciting inshore fishing tournament with a fleet of fishing boats. It's going to be an unforgettable experience and an opportunity to surround yourself with like-minded successful veterans who are pushing each other to greatness.  Register here: https://www.10xvets.com/charleston-event
To learn more and register for these events, visit 10xvets.com/events. Hope to see you there!
Today's Podcast:
“We aspire to be way more than just a check… we want to be supportive capital and we want to help our veteran entrepreneurs scale their companies.” -Joshua Weed, USAFA ‘01
Joshua Weed is a Partner and Senior Director at Veteran Ventures Capital and a member of the Fund’s investment committee. Veteran Ventures Capital is a veteran-owned growth equity and venture capital firm specializing in making private investments into veteran-owned, post-revenue companies, primarily with a defense focus and superior dual-use technology. A 2001 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Joshua is a former Air Force Financial Management Officer and currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves.
Connect with Joshua:
LinkedIn www.veteranventures.us josh@veteranventures.us  Special thanks to Josh for joining me this week. Until next time!
Are you a real estate investor in need of financing for your next investment property? The Academy Fund has you covered! Whether you're working on “fix-and-flip” projects, land development, or new construction, we are your reliable financial partner. Our mission is to bridge the gaps often left by conventional banking institutions, making sure your real estate dreams become reality.
And for accredited investors looking to earn passive income while supporting military veteran real estate investors, the Academy Fund is the perfect opportunity. Our loans are powered by capital from investors like you, who receive monthly distributions as the loans are repaid.
To learn more, visit AcademyFund.com.
Thank you for listening to today’s podcast.  Enjoy the rest of your day and remember to dream big and take bold action!

“That’s the beauty of note investing. You don’t have to do it locally. It’s not like a development deal or a rental property where you have to be semi-local because there are no tenants or maintenance. It’s vacant land that is the collateral on these notes. We do deals in 30-plus states and that’s how we’re able to really scale it.” -Quinn McArthur, USMA ‘08
Quinn McArthur is the Co-Founder and Fund Manager of Legacy Land Fund, a real estate fund that focuses exclusively on the distinctive and expanding land investments sector. By securing a 1st lien position, imposing stringent requirements for robust down payments and credit scores, and maintaining a carefully balanced 50-60% loan-to-value ratio, Legacy Land Fund ensures a secure and reliable approach to land investment and allows for passive income for its investors through mortgage note investing. Quinn is a West Point graduate and former Green Beret. A devoted husband and father, he balances faith-driven values and a commitment to stewardship with his real estate investments.
In this episode, we discuss:
Quinn’s journey into real estate investing and what attracted him to the industry What Quinn and his partner are accomplishing at Legacy Land Fund The keys to success in finding and maintaining deal flow How mortgage note investing works Although Quinn did not set out to establish a fund for his mortgage note investing efforts, his success in the business led him to create Legacy Land Fund to set him up to scale. He explains that because his strategy of buying discounted notes on the secondary market is niche, there is less competition and more opportunity. Plus, purchasing notes is a secure and predictable way to invest and the market is very healthy. We learned a lot from Quinn about how he has found success in mortgage note investing and look forward to seeing how he will scale with his first fund. Thanks for chatting, Quinn!
Connect with Quinn:
LinkedIn www.legacylandfund.com If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.
Subscribe and help out the show:
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Quinn for joining me this week. Until next time!
-Scott Mackes, USNA ’01

“Entrepreneurship, at its core, is all about leading. Leading customers, leading suppliers, leading bankers, leading lawyers, leading employees, and no one spends more money than the Department of Defense developing leaders. Have confidence that the raw leadership skill gets you halfway there.” -John Panaccione, Army Veteran
John Panaccione is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a history of working in the information technology and services industry. He is a strong business development professional who is well-versed in the world of equity and debt financing, and the emerging wonderful world of equity crowdfunding and other SEC-exempt offerings used to raise capital. John’s company, Folla Capital, provides a platform for average Americans and accredited investors to invest in private small businesses of their choice, supporting the ventures and management teams they believe in. John also works with fellow veterans who are exploring entrepreneurship as a career path once they leave the military through his nonprofit, VETtoCEO.
In this episode, we discuss:
The origin story of VETtoCEO John’s advice for those looking to transition from the military into entrepreneurship The three pathways to small business ownership What led John to start Folla Capital John’s ideal client that he serves at Folla Capital John shares that sometimes it takes veterans years after transitioning out of the military to discover the pathway to entrepreneurship. There are many different ways to become an entrepreneur and one that can be a great fit for veterans is buying an existing business, as they can apply their leadership and decision-making skills to make improvements and move the needle. John is helping veterans succeed through his offerings at VETtoCEO and investment services at Folla Capital. Thank you for all you do for our military community, John!
Connect with John:
LinkedIn vettoceo.org follacapital.com Folla Capital YouTube Video: Introduction to Alternative Investments - Opportunities for All of Us If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.
Subscribe and help out the show:
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to John for joining me this week. Until next time!

“I want Zimba to be a key part of the digitization process that we’re starting to see in Uganda and other parts of Africa, especially for financial institutions.”  -Isaac Were, USMA ‘16
Isaac Were is the CEO of Zimba Technologies, a SaaS financial technology company that builds cloud-based software to digitize and automate financial institutions as well as provide them with access to capital. Zimba’s mission is to bridge financial gaps in developing markets through innovation and technology. Originally from Uganda, Isaac is addressing the problem of access to capital for individuals and business owners in the more rural parts of his home country. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a Biomedical Concentration.
In this episode, we discuss:
What led Isaac to start Zimba The types of clients Zimba serves and the services the company provides The typical journey for a customer using our Zimba’s core banking platform Isaac’s most important short-term and long-term goals The biggest challenges Isaac is facing as he works to scale Zimba Isaac explains that in Uganda, a majority of the population lives in villages that are on the outskirts of the major cities. By working with the Savings and Credit Cooperatives to help improve their operations and infrastructure, Zimba can improve access to finance for all people, regardless of location. We enjoyed our conversation with Isaac and admire the work he is doing to cultivate economic growth and inclusion in Uganda. Great work, Isaac!
Connect with Isaac:
LinkedIn zimba.io isaac@zimba.io If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.
Subscribe and help out the show:
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Isaac for joining me this week. Until next time!
-Scott Mackes, USNA ’01