Cameron Cruse - Cofounder of R. Riveter, Making Handbags to Hire Military Spouses Due to her husband's military orders, Cameron Cruse landed herself in the middle of nowhere Georgia in 2011. She had just graduated with her Master’s in architecture but the hopes of building that career slowly faded. Soon after, Cameron met Lisa Bradley, her now business partner. Together they realized the challenge that they faced, finding meaningful employment as a military spouse. They knew this challenge was not unique to them.  They set out to build a company that would first provide some kind of income opportunity to military spouses, R. Riveter was born. R. Riveter The mission came first and the product was decided afterwards. And today R. Riveter has grown its network of spouses or “Riveters” that are employed across the United States. Together they started created handbags, but that has grown to candles, gifts and more. They even offer an “heirloom” collection to transform your old military uniform, blanket or something else into a beautiful memory bag. In 2015 they opened a storefront in North Carolina. Shortly after they were featured on Shark Tank where they were able to gain an investor. The company continues to scale and grow to ultimately hire more military spouses.  Check out who else has stepped into the Veteran Crowd Spotlight.   Learn More www.rriveter.com FB: @rriveterbags Instagram: @rriveterbags   VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you.   About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Don Bentley - New Book Release...Former Apache Helicopter Pilot, Now New York Times Best Selling Author Don Bentley was previously a guest on the VeteranCrowd spotlight, but is back to share the releases of two new books. Don Bentley has loved writing since he was a little kid. He started working on his first book in 3rd grade. In high school, his English teacher told him he had talent, but he wasn’t quite ready to pursue writing full-time. Instead he landed himself at Ohio State working on an Electrical Engineering degree. Winning an Army ROTC scholarship, Don commissioned and became an Army Apache helicopter pilot, following his family’s legacy of serving. This was just the first of many careers. Following his time in the military Don worked as an FBI Special Agent and eventually was a member of the Dallas Office Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. After law enforcement Don continued to work with several companies that develop technology for the U.S. Special Operations Community. Author Don’s entire career helped shape and mold him into the writer he is today. His characters are born out of his own experiences and those he served with. He is the author of the Matt Drake thriller series, including Without Sanction and The Outside Man. The most recent one, Hostile Intent was just released this month.  Don was also asked to write a Tom Clancy Jr. book, Target Acquired landing himself on the New York Times best selling list. The next in this series, Zero Hour, comes out the first week of June. Newest Books Hostile Intent, available now.  Zero Hour, coming June 7th                                          Check out who else has stepped into the Veteran Crowd Spotlight.  Learn More Twitter: https://twitter.com/bentleydonb FB:https://www.facebook.com/bentleydonb https://donbentleybooks.com/ VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Emily Miller and Kim Jung went to the West Point Military Academy, they were eventually connected to Keith Alaniz, a Texas A&M graduate while stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood. They served in Afghanistan together as Combat Engineers and eventually their friendships led to to founding Rumi Spice. Their time in Afghanistan and working with the Afghan people, gave them an idea for creating “sustainable rural economic development in Afghanistan and providing countless jobs to Afghan farmers and women who harvest and process the spice.” Rumi Spice Founded in 2014, Rumi Spice hit the ground running with their mission of providing a market for Afghan saffron. They work directly with close to 1000 Afghan farmers to provide the world’s highest quality saffron. Three years after their inception they appeared on Shark Tank, which opened doors to continue grow and expand their market. They are currently sold nationwide and are the first nationally distributed product from Afghanistan. Interested in trying out some spices?  Check them out below. Learn More Website:  https://www.rumispice.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rumispiceco Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rumi_spice VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.  

Daniel started his military service in the Army. After over 28 years serving he retired from the United States Marine Corps. During the transition into the civilian world, he knew he wanted to “chart his own course”. He utilized the program boots to business, an entrepreneurial education program for transitioning service members.  At the time popcorn wasn’t on the horizon. He was looking to use his experience as a combat cameraman to launch a real estate photographer business, but as he pursued this he knew it wasn’t the right path.  In the meantime some close friends encouraged both he and his wife, Priscilla to contact a fellow veteran, who owned a popcorn store owner in Fredericksburg, VA. It was through this mentorship they were able to launch Popcorn Friday.  Between Daniel’s passion and Priscilla’s, personal finance background and BS in Business Management they have continued to persevere through the challenges of being entrepreneurs and found great success. Popcorn Friday The name was inspired by a PTA event at Crossroads Elementary on Marine Corps Base, Quantico. Priscilla had volunteered when the kids were young and the name stuck in her head. So when the business was launched there was no question what it would be named. Popcorn Friday opened its doors in 2014 in Spring Branch, Texas. Just a few years it began being sold online, which paved the way for the success they have achieved today. They offer a wide variety or popcorn flavors from savory to sweet and anything in between. Interested in trying some out for your own popcorn Friday, fundraising need or your next corporate event. Check them out below. Learn More Website: https://www.popcornfriday.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PopcornFridaySanAntonio Instagram:  @popcorn_friday VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Lynn was serving overseas, in the Army when he first began writing. He had travelled to Greece for fun and decided to write an article about his time there. He submitted it to the military newspaper, Stars and Stripes. They decided to publish it. He continued to write about his travels while overseas but decided he didn’t want to stop as he was transitioning out of active duty.  Now over 40 years later, Lynn continues to travel with his wife, Cele. Together they have now co-authored two books. Lynn began to delve into writing fiction not too long ago and just signed a deal for the sequel to his first fiction novel. Books & Articles Lynn and Cele Seldon have published hundreds of articles in magazines such as Cruise Travel, Southern Living and Trailblazer and continue to do so. Lynn published his first novel, Virginia’s Ring in 2014 and the sequel, Carolina’s Ring is in the works. In addition together Lynn and Cele have written 100 Things to Do in Charleston Before You Die and 100 Things to Do in Savannah Before you Die. If you are traveling soon, check out their website and publications! Learn More Website: SeldonInk.com LinkIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnseldon/ VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.  

Robert Garland grew up listening to his dad tell stories and knew he wanted to follow in his footsteps serving as a police officer and then detective. Robert spent 14 years in the NYPD retiring as a decorated detective. He started Fund the First in 2020 when he wanted to help a close friend with medical expenses from his daughter’s rare illness. This experience showed him there were problems with the current crowdfunding sites and Robert wanted to build a better one. Fund the First Fund the First has a unique partnership with ID.Me. This allows donors to know that their money is going to a true, honest and verified source. Fund the First has launched 350 fundraisers and their campaigns have raised almost four million dollars in donations. Learn More Website: fundthefirst.com Robert Garland: rgarland@fundthefirst.com; 201-431-5685 LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertgarland27/ VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.  

Mike Cantwell is a United States Naval Academy graduate. After serving in the Navy, he has continued his career of service as a federal government employee at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. It was the presidential elections of 2016 that led Mike to dive into politics and ultimately begin his journey as a political reformist. He has even thrown his hat in the ring of candidates and ran for the Arlington County Board.   He knows that our political system is broken and the way to fix it is at the state level. Two key components he feels are vital; Rank Choice Voting and Final Five Voting. These issues are multi-partisan and can help create better elections across the whole system. Mike has been involved with Fair Vote Virginia and also Veterans for Political Innovation. Both these organizations have a passion for political reform at the grassroots level. Fair Vote Virginia "We're a single issue, local chapter of the national FairVote movement, a non-partisan, non-profit champion of ranked choice voting. Our members cover the entire political spectrum and come together from across the Commonwealth, united by a shared mission to revive real, representative democracy." Veterans for Political Innovation Their mission is to “make our political system less toxic and more competitive by mobilizing military veterans to fight to preserve democracy through election innovations.”  Learn More LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michael-cantwell-9bb5282/ Campaign Website:  www.cantwell4countyboard.com Fair Vote Virginia:  www.fairvoitvirginia.org Veterans for Political Innovation:  www.veteransforpoliticalinnovation.org VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.  

Owen Waits has a long family history of military service. It was a natural choice to attend West Point. Upon graduating he was commissioned and served for more than eight years in the Army before joining J.P. Morgan. He is currently an Associate Banker in the Atlanta, Georgia office of J.P. Morgan Private Bank, where he serves high net worth individuals across their entire balance sheets and provide “boutique white glove” service. He especially likes working with veterans who have transitioned into business leadership. Veteran Advocate When transitioning from the Army to a the civilian sector Owen realized the challenges of translating his time in the service to civilian related work. He attended the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School which provided a great network to help with this transition as he earned his MBA. He has a passion to help others transition smoothly from service to a civilian job. J.P. Morgan has their own forum to connect service members; “Voices of Employees That Served (VETS) which Owen is a part of. J.P. Morgan has hired over 16,000 since 2011. He also volunteers as a transition coach with the Four Block Foundation. Learn More LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-waits/ Email: owen.c.waits@jpmorgan.com Carry the Load event in Georgia: https://www.carrytheload.org/site/DocServer/Georgia_NC_2022.docx__2_.pdf Four Block Foundation: https://fourblock.org/ VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.  

Joshua Hood grew up loving books. Some of his earliest memories were listening to his dad read, “The Hobbit”. He remembers the pictures he would paint in his head as the words were read. Joshua graduated college with an English degree, but didn’t immediately put that degree to use. He decided to serve in the 82nd Airborne Division. It was during a deployment that the ideas for a book were beginning to form, but he pushed the idea of becoming an author away. It took a former fellow solider he served with publishing his own book that compelled Joshua to do the same. After the Army, Joshua continued serving on the SWAT team in Memphis, Tennessee. It wasn’t until about five years ago, after his son was born, that he become a full-time author. Both his combat and SWAT experiences have laid the groundwork for the stories he continues to write. Books Joshua Hood is the USA Today and Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author of The Treadstone Series, Clear by Fire and Warning Order. The latest Treadstone book, The Treadstone Transgression is set to release 4/5.  You won’t want to miss this international thriller. Find at your local bookstore or online at Amazon. Learn More Website: www.joshuahoodbooks.com Facebook:  www.facebook.com/joshuahoodbook VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.

Carl and Lori met while Carl was serving in the U.S. Army. He enlisted at the age of 17 and retired in 2006 as a Lieutenant Colonel after serving 21 years. Not long after retirement, Lori was running a successful corporate massage therapy business and Carl was a partner in the tech world. They both already had an entrepreneurial spirit and they wanted to do something different. Carl was driven to build a company that could give back specifically to the veteran community but also beyond. They were inspired by their brother-in-law. At the time he had recently won “roaster of the year” in his hometown in Washington state. Being avid coffee drinkers Carl tossed the idea out to start a coffee business. Lori agreed and they dove right into growing an online coffee business out of their basement in 2010 and Alpha Coffee was born. Alpha Coffee Awesome coffee that gives back! One of Alpha Coffee's primary focus is giving back. It gives back at least 10% of all profits to non-profits focused on veterans, the planet, and community.  They regularly donate coffee to troops with over 20,000 bags of coffee sent to date. Alpha Coffee has grown from $17k in revenues its first year to over $2.4M this past year. It has two brick and mortar locations in Utah, Big Cottonwood Canyon and West Jordan, with a third coming to downtown Salt Lake City.  They are also currently working on building a distribution center. Looking to support this amazing veteran owned business? Alpha Coffee is available online for subscription or individual purchase. It also is available via Amazon Prime and will soon be on Walmart.com.   Learn More Website:  www.alpha.coffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bejetclean/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6-y2wMNk24Fi-J2qbTTYQA VeteranCrowd Network Our "forever promise" is to build the veteran and military spouse community a place to connect and engage. VeteranCrowd is simply a national network of veterans, veteran led businesses and the resources they need to prosper. Subscribe to stay in touch, or consider if Individual or Corporate Membership in the Network is a fit for you. About Your Host Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.