Build Your A-Team

Freddie Kim

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Welcome to “Build Your A-Team” a podcast powered by MilSpec Talent, where we educate Small Business owners on how to attract, recruit, and retain high-impact, low-ego talent. I’m your host Freddie Kim, founder of Milspec Talent, I’m am a West Point grad, former Green Beret, Kellogg MBA, and more importantly, I’m passionate about championing the value and leadership of Veteran 2.0s in our workforce.

22H AGO

Nick Ripplinger on Veteran Entrepreneurship and Building a Business

What separates Veterans who successfully build businesses from those who stay stuck? In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry and co-host Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent (‪@FreddieJKim‬) speak with Nick Ripplinger about Veteran entrepreneurship, leadership, and the mindset required to build a business after service. Nick shares insights on transitioning from the military into entrepreneurship, explaining why action, adaptability, and resilience are essential for long-term success. He breaks down the challenges Veterans face when entering the business world and how to overcome uncertainty by focusing on execution rather than perfection. This conversation also highlights how Veterans can apply their leadership experience to business, build strong teams, and create opportunities through disciplined decision-making and continuous learning. 🎙 In this episode:• Transitioning from military service to entrepreneurship• Why taking action matters more than waiting for perfection• Leadership lessons applied to business building• Overcoming uncertainty in early-stage growth• Building strong teams and accountability• Creating opportunities after military service Guest Links:LinkedIn: / nicholas-ripplinger-14160823 Website: https://nickripplinger.comEmail: nripplinger@gmail.com

16 min
APR 1

Veteran Led Collab: Ryan Kuo on Veteran Talent and Building High-Performance Teams

Why do so many organizations struggle to recognize the value Veterans bring to the workforce? In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry and co-host Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent (‪@FreddieJKim‬) speak with Ryan Kuo about Veteran talent, leadership, and building high-performance teams. Ryan breaks down how military leadership experience translates into the civilian workforce — and why that translation often fails. He explains how organizations can better identify, develop, and retain Veteran talent while building cultures focused on accountability, performance, and mission alignment. This conversation also highlights the challenges Veterans face when entering corporate environments, including communication gaps, unclear expectations, and the need to reframe their experience for civilian leadership. For leaders, founders, and Veterans alike, this episode provides practical insights into hiring, leadership development, and building teams that perform at a higher level. 🎙 In this episode:• Why Veteran talent is often misunderstood in corporate America• Translating military leadership into business environments• Building high-performance teams through accountability• The role of culture in hiring and retention• How Veterans can better communicate their value• Leadership lessons from military and business experience

25 min
APR 1

Veteran Led Collab: Barbara Kent and Joanna Serra on Shark Tank and Saying Yes

What happens when two sisters turn resilience, service, and a simple product into a national business? In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry and co-host ‪@FreddieJKim‬ of MilSpec Talent speak with Barbara Kent and Joanna Serra, the founders of Fundraiser Blankets, about entrepreneurship, Shark Tank, and the power of saying yes to opportunity. Barbara, an Army Veteran and West Point graduate, and Joanna, a former teacher, explain how their business grew from a family idea into a company serving schools, sports teams, and communities across the country. They discuss how their immigrant background shaped their work ethic, why they chose to disrupt traditional school fundraising, and how flexibility became their competitive advantage. The conversation also covers the Shark Tank journey, imposter syndrome, manifestation, and the importance of making decisions instead of waiting too long and staying stuck. This episode matters for Veterans, founders, and anyone trying to build something meaningful. Barbara and Joanna show that growth often comes from trying new things, taking action before you feel fully ready, and staying open to the next opportunity. 🎙 In this episode:• Building Fundraiser Blankets from the ground up• Working with family and balancing different strengths• How they landed on Shark Tank• The mindset behind manifestation and momentum• Why decision fatigue can stop growth• How saying yes created new opportunities

24 min
MAR 3

Failed BUD/S to Top Performing Team with Nathan Sable

What happens when a Navy intel specialist fails BUD/S – twice – and decides to run toward the next hard thing anyway? In this Operator Series episode of Build Your A-Team, Freddie and Charlsey sit down with Nathan Sable, Market Area President at Apex Service Partners, where he oversees multiple HVAC brands across Central and Southern Virginia. Nathan’s path to leadership wasn’t conventional — from U.S. Navy Intel to Cyber Command and the DIA, from Deloitte consulting to commercial fishing in Alaska and mold restoration — and now leading one of Apex’s top-performing markets. It’s a story built on discipline, resilience, and executing when it counts. Nathan breaks down:◦ Why no one is ever “qualified” to run a business◦ What failing BUD/S taught him about leadership and resilience◦ How Intel tradecraft translates into running a PE-backed operator business◦ How active listening builds trust across every level of a company If you’re a veteran transitioning into business, a PE operator, or a leader building teams at scale – this episode is for you. Because winning isn’t about pedigree; it’s about discipline, execution, and taking care of your people.

35 min
FEB 11

You Can't Expect What You Don't Inspect with Tasha Smith

In this episode, Freddie Kim and Charlsey Mahle sit down with Tasha Smith, a retired Army Sergeant First Class and former Drill Sergeant, now General Manager at Victors Home Solutions, overseeing two branch locations (Cincinnati + Columbus) across a massive regional footprint. With zero prior roofing industry experience, Tasha shares how she translated military leadership into civilian execution – and why culture, expectations, and being present with your people still win every time. If you’re a veteran transitioning, a leader building teams, or an operator scaling execution – this one is packed with real tools. #OperatorMindset #HomeServices #ScalingTeams #VeteranLeadership #ExecutionDiscipline 🎙️ The Bring You A Team (BYAT) Podcast spotlights veteran leaders building teams with resilience, clarity, and impact. Hosted by Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent. 🔔 If this episode helped you level up your team: like, subscribe, and share with a veteran leader who needs it. Connect with our guest: 🎖 Retired Army Sergeant First Class & Drill Sergeant. 🪜 General Manager at PE-Backed Firm. 🎓 Master’s candidate in Psychology.🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashareneesmith/ 🏢 Victors Home Solutions: http://www.victors.com/📘 Resources: Backwards Planning — a military-inspired method for learning fast and setting prioritiesTell • Show • Do — a structured approach to training and developing people“You can’t expect what you don’t inspect” — driving execution through presence and accountability

38 min
JAN 29

Brilliance or Bullsh*t: Hiring Myths Founders Still Believe with Ryan Hogan & Stephen Hrutka

In this episode of Bring Your A-Team, Freddie Kim sits down with two Veteran founders running recruiting businesses from totally different angles — Stephen Hrutka (HRUCKUS) and Ryan Hogan (Talent Harbor). They break down what actually works in hiring, what’s total nonsense, and how founders can build teams that scale without getting trapped by bad process, bad JDs, or bad assumptions. Ryan Hogan is Founder & CEO of Talent Harbor, a Navy veteran (former aircrewman and commissioned officer) and multi-time entrepreneur. After exiting Hunt A Killer, Ryan built a recruiting model focused on Recruiting-as-a-Service — a flat monthly approach — primarily for EOS companies hiring sales talent. Stephen Hrutka is Principal Consultant at Hrutkas LLC (SDVOSB), delivering management consulting and recruiting solutions across SLED (state/local/education) and supporting veteran-owned and 8(a) firms across federal, DoD, and IC-adjacent work. Former Navy SWO, Wharton MBA, with prior experience at Gartner and A.T. Kearney.

1h 6m
12/09/2025

Printing the Non-Sexy Manufacturing with Samantha Snabes

From stalking astronauts as a kid to launching a large-format 3D printer on Kickstarter, Major Samantha Snabes has taken bold, thoughtful risks. She’s the Co-Founder & Catalyst at re:3D, the company behind Gigabot — a large-format industrial 3D printer that can run on polymers or shredded plastic waste. In this BYAT episode, Sam breaks down how she built a mission-driven team that will “run through brick walls,” why she doesn’t believe in competitors, and how she balances bootstrapping, research, and service in the Air National Guard. Hear how re:3D grew from a NASA side project to printers in 50+ countries — all fueled by grit, curiosity, and an abundance mindset. #3DPrinting #AdditiveManufacturing #HardwareStartup

56 min
11/19/2025

Leading Human Services in the Rise of AI with Travis Bloomfield

Travis Bloomfield is an Air Force Veteran and the CEO & Managing Partner of Provisio, Salesforce’s largest consultancy dedicated to human services and social sector organizations. He shares his journey from air traffic controller to leading one of the nation’s most impactful mission-driven consultancies — built on grit, purpose, data expertise, and the emerging power of agentic AI. After six years in the Air Force, Travis entered IT consulting, eventually serving as COO for two firms before founding Provisio. Under his leadership, the company has earned four consecutive placements on the Inc. 5000, a spot on the IVMF Veteran 100, and recognition as one of Crain’s Best Places to Work in Chicago (2024). This conversation dive into workforce culture, hiring with character, building stability through trust, and the technical future of human services, from homelessness to behavioral health. #AgenticAI #HumanServicesTech #SalesforceConsulting

1h 6m

Welcome to “Build Your A-Team” a podcast powered by MilSpec Talent, where we educate Small Business owners on how to attract, recruit, and retain high-impact, low-ego talent. I’m your host Freddie Kim, founder of Milspec Talent, I’m am a West Point grad, former Green Beret, Kellogg MBA, and more importantly, I’m passionate about championing the value and leadership of Veteran 2.0s in our workforce.

Creator

Freddie Kim
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

29
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© MilSpec Talent