From Battle to Business

• 🎙️ Think marketing is chaos? A former Marine shows how mission-focused strategy brings order—and results.

  From the Barracks to the Brand: How Marine Corps Tactics Drive Marketing WinsWhat happens when you blend battlefield leadership with branding? You get Jim Fuhs—President of Fuhsion Marketing and former Marine Corps Officer—breaking down how mission-driven strategies can transform small business marketing. In this episode of From Battle to Business, we unpack how military discipline and frameworks like SMEAC (Situation, Mission, Execution, Admin/Logistics, Command/Signal) can be applied to the chaos of digital marketing and entrepreneurship.Jim and I explore what it means to lead in a fast-paced, algorithm-driven world—and how veterans are uniquely equipped to thrive in it. From tactical live-streaming tips to the power of clarity in messaging, this episode is full of battle-tested insights for business owners who want to stop winging it and start winning it.Key TakeawaysThe Marine Corps SMEAC model is a secret weapon for clear marketing execution.Livestreaming is a powerful underused tool for business visibility.Simplicity in messaging beats cleverness every time.Military leadership transitions seamlessly into team accountability in business.Consistency > Perfection in online content creation.Top Quotes“Marketing is a mission—and your audience is your terrain.” – Jim Fuhs“You can’t just post and hope. You need a plan and a purpose.” – Dean Van Dyke“Livestreaming is your chance to be the face, the voice, and the brand—live.” – Jim FuhsStep-by-Step SMEAC Marketing BreakdownSituation – What’s the current state of your business online?Mission – What’s the desired outcome of your marketing?Execution – How are you going to reach that goal?Admin/Logistics – What tools, content, and support do you need?Command/Signal – Who’s responsible, and how is progress tracked?Resources MentionedThe Tim and Jim Show: A weekly live video show for marketing insights.#TwitterSmarter: A top Twitter chat for staying sharp on social strategy.Fuhsion Marketing: Jim’s business offering consulting, livestream production, and workshops.My advice? Treat your business operations like a mission. Assign roles, set timelines, clarify objectives. You don’t need to be fancy—you need to be clear and consistent. And if you’ve got a military background? You’re already five steps ahead. Just apply the same intensity and order to your business growth.Connect with Jim Fuhs at: https://fuhsionmarketing.com/ Connect with Dean Van Dyke at The Breakthrough Blueprinthttps://www.deanvandyke.comInstagramFacebookIf you enjoyed listening, then please take a second to rate the show on iTunes. Every podcaster will tell you that iTunes reviews drive listeners to our shows so please let me know what you thought and make sure you subscribe using your favorite podcast player. It means a lot to me and to the guests.

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• 🎙️ From the Battlefield to the Boardroom: Reinventing Leadership with Dr. John Hillen

  In this episode of From Battle to Business, Dean Van Dyke welcomes Dr. John Hillen—former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, decorated CEO, award-winning professor, and author of What Happens Now? Reinvent Yourself as a Leader Before Your Business Outruns You. Together, they dive into the crucial mindset shifts military leaders must make to thrive in business, the dangers of becoming a “one-trick pony,” and how to stay relevant as organizations evolve. Dr. Hillen shares hard-earned wisdom from the intersection of military, government, business, and academia, providing a real-world blueprint for sustained leadership success. Packed with real talk, leadership frameworks, and battlefield-tested lessons, this episode is a must-listen for leaders determined to grow beyond their current capabilities.Key TakeawaysLeaders must reinvent themselves BEFORE the business outgrows them.High performance in one role doesn’t guarantee success in the next.Organizations evolve faster than individual leaders if not vigilant.Your team’s growth often outpaces your original leadership style.Success requires continual learning, adaptation, and self-awareness.Leading a scaling business demands becoming a strategist, not just a tactician.Identity attachment to past achievements can derail future growth.Step-by-Step: Reinventing Yourself as a LeaderRecognize When You’re Being Outpaced: Notice frustration, misalignment, or diminishing influence.Let Go of Old Identities: Stop clinging to what worked in the past.Adopt a Strategic Mindset: Shift focus from daily ops to future vision.Invest in New Skills: Leadership, communication, and strategic thinking.Get External Feedback: Seek mentors who will tell you the truth.Iterate and Evolve: Stay in a permanent cycle of growth.Quotes“Your team doesn’t need the ‘old you.’ They need the leader you’re becoming.” — Dr. John Hillen“In leadership, past success is not a vaccine against future irrelevance.” — Dr. John Hillen“It’s not just about adapting. It’s about transforming yourself entirely.” — Dr. John HillenResources MentionedBook: What Happens Now? Reinvent Yourself as a Leader Before Your Business Outruns You — A practical guide for leaders facing the next evolution in their careers.Publications: Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times — where Dr. Hillen’s work has been featured.Connect with Dr. John Hillen on LinkedIn:LinkedInConnect with Dean Van Dyke at The Breakthrough Blueprint:Dean’s WebsiteInstagramFacebookIf you enjoyed listening, then please take a second to rate the show on iTunes. Every podcaster will tell you that iTunes reviews drive listeners to our shows so please let me know what you thought and make sure you subscribe using your favorite podcast player. It means a lot to me and to the guests.

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• 🎙️ From Embassy Security to American Steel: C&D Tool's Bold Return to U.S. Craftsmanship

  In this episode of From Battle to Business, Dean Van Dyke sits down with Marine Corps veteran and entrepreneur Kris Forrest of C&D Tools. Discover how a missing cocktail shaker sparked a movement in American manufacturing. From the sands of Iraq to steel workshops in the U.S., Kris and co-founder Rebecca Beardsley are proving that heirloom quality isn’t dead—it’s just getting started. Learn how military grit, old-school values, and entrepreneurial daring fueled their rise from service to startup success.What happens when two veterans can’t find a well-made, American cocktail shaker? They built it themselves. In this gritty, insightful episode, Kris Forrest takes us behind the scenes of how C&D Tools was born—not in a boardroom, but through a passion for quality and a refusal to settle for overseas knockoffs.We cover Kris’s Marine Corps service, time as a diplomat, and the moment he realized America needed to bring craftsmanship back home. This isn’t just a story of tools and steel—it’s about identity, integrity, and building something that lasts.Key Takeaways:How military service shaped Kris’s entrepreneurial mindsetWhy C&D Tools focuses on heirloom-quality, American-made productsThe turning point that led to launching a manufacturing companyLessons learned about scaling a product business from scratchWhy storytelling matters in product-based businessesStep-by-Step Journey:Enlistment and Service – Joined the Marines at 17, served in Iraq.Diplomatic Service – Worked in government and diplomacy post-service.The Cocktail Shaker Problem – Realized no U.S.-made shakers existed.Launch of C&D Tools – Combined textile and steel legacies to fill the gap.Scaling With Purpose – Built a brand that stands for more than profit.Quotes:“I enlisted at 17. I needed direction. The Marine Corps gave me that—and more.”“Nobody was making an American cocktail shaker. That was wild to me.”“I don’t think you have to separate discipline from creativity.”“We’re not just making products. We’re reclaiming pride in American craftsmanship.”“Integrity didn’t start when I launched a company. It started in the Corps.”Resources Mentioned:C&D Tools: https://www.cndtools.com – American-made barware rooted in military-grade grit and precision.New York Times Feature: Boosted visibility and highlighted the resurgence of U.S. manufacturing.Marine Corps Values: A foundation of honor, courage, and commitment that drives business ethics.My Advice:Too many entrepreneurs skip the “why” and rush to the “what.” Kris and Rebecca didn’t. Their clarity of purpose is what makes C&D Tools more than a product—it’s a mission. If you’re starting a business, build something that matters. Build it like it’s going to outlive you.Connect with C&D Tools: https://www.cndtools.comConnect with Dean Van Dyke at The Breakthrough Blueprinthttps://www.deanvandyke.comInstagram

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• 🎙️ Lead Clearly, Execute Boldly: The Commander’s Intent Framework for Business Growth

  🎙️ Lead Clearly, Execute Boldly: The Commander’s Intent Framework for Business GrowthIn this power-packed episode of From Battle to Business, host Dean Van Dyke unpacks a battlefield-born leadership tool that’s revolutionizing the way small businesses operate: Commander’s Intent.If you’re constantly firefighting, stuck micromanaging, or feel like your team just doesn’t “get it,” this episode is your wake-up call. Dean reveals how this military strategy, designed for chaos and high-stakes execution, is the ultimate key to getting out of the weeds and back into strategic leadership.Instead of issuing rigid instructions, what if your team understood the why, not just the what? This isn’t a dream — it’s the power of Commander’s Intent. Discover real-world examples of business owners who stopped spinning their wheels and started accelerating results by simply shifting how they lead.🔑 Key Takeaways: • 🔥 Why Commander’s Intent reduces micromanagement and team dependency. • 🧠 How strategic clarity unlocks autonomous decision-making. • 🚀 Commander’s Intent leads to scalable systems and team accountability. • 📉 Firefighting is a symptom — not the root problem. • 🏆 Clarity drives confidence, and confidence powers execution. • 💬 Real examples: Sarah, Mark, Emma, and Joe — and how they transformed their teams. • 🛠️ From chaos to clarity: how military precision applies to business.🪖 Real Talk From the Episode: • “You become the bottleneck, the person everyone turns to for every little decision.” • “This isn’t blind trust. It’s strategic empowerment.” • “It’s not about incompetence, it’s about clarity.” • “Clarity equals confidence, both for you and your team.” • “When your employees understand not just what to do but why, they’re naturally more invested.”📘 Resources Mentioned:• Commander’s Intent Framework – A military-inspired leadership approach that simplifies execution by aligning your team to strategic outcomes, not tasks.💡 My Best Advice:If you’re tired of being the answer to every problem in your business, stop telling people how and start showing them why. Commander’s Intent will not only save your sanity — it’ll unlock a level of team performance you didn’t know was possible. Lead with vision, back it with trust, and watch your business evolve.Connect with Dean Van Dyke at:https://www.deanvandyke.comhttps://www.instagram.com/dhvandyke27/https://www.facebook.com/thepillarsgroup/If you enjoyed listening, then please take a second to rate the show on iTunes.Every podcaster will tell you that iTunes reviews drive listeners to our shows, so please let me know what you thought and make sure you subscribe using your favorite podcast player.It means a lot to me and the guests.

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• 🎙️ How Michael Albaum Used Real Estate to Escape a Soul-Crushing Job

  🎙️ From Battle to Business – Featuring Michael AlbaumIn this value-packed episode of From Battle to Business, I sit down with Michael Albaum, host of The Remote Real Estate Investor podcast and full-time real estate investor and coach with Roofstock. Michael unpacks his journey from an unfulfilling engineering career into the freedom and flexibility of real estate investing. From the trials of choosing the wrong professional path to discovering a mission-driven career in real estate, Michael drops powerful mindset gems, investing strategies, and tangible tips for veterans and aspiring entrepreneurs.This episode isn’t just about real estate—it’s about making bold transitions, building freedom through calculated risk, and staying true to your “why.” If you’re stuck in a career that drains you, or you’re curious how to leverage real estate for long-term wealth, this one’s for you.🔑 Key Takeaways • You can pivot successfully—even from an established career path. • The importance of surrounding yourself with people on similar journeys. • Real estate isn’t just about money—it’s about freedom and flexibility. • Mistakes are part of the growth; they become learning tools. • Don’t chase a job for prestige or expectations—pursue fulfillment. • Roofstock offers a unique platform for remote investing. • Investing while working full-time is not only doable, but smart. • Make decisions from where you want to be—not where you are.🪜 Step-by-Step: Michael’s Real Estate Pivot Blueprint1. Recognize DiscontentMichael realized that his engineering job didn’t spark passion—it drained him.2. Explore and ResearchHe started learning about real estate through podcasts, books, and online communities.3. Start SmallHis first investment wasn’t glamorous, but it gave him a foothold and confidence.4. Build RelationshipsMichael found mentors, joined masterminds, and surrounded himself with other investors.5. Transition GraduallyHe didn’t quit immediately—he built his investment income until it replaced his job.6. Create a Mission-Driven CareerNow, through Roofstock and FI Academy, he helps others do the same.💬 Memorable Quotes“It felt like my soul was dying at my desk.”“Your job is the biggest investor in your real estate journey.”“Find the pain and chase the solution.”“I thought the goal was to get rich. The real goal was to get free.”“You can’t get to where you want to be by thinking like the person you are now.🧰 Resources Mentioned• Roofstock A platform that allows investors to buy and sell tenant-occupied rental properties remotely. Great for first-time investors and those looking for passive income.• The Remote Real Estate Investor Podcast Michael’s podcast that covers strategies, stories, and expert insights for long-distance real estate investors.• FI Academy Michael’s online coaching community helping people achieve financial independence through real estate.💡 My Best Advice?Start before you’re ready. Your W-2 can fund your freedom. Whether you’re leaving the military, pivoting careers, or just plain stuck—take the next step. Invest in education, lean into community, and make small moves consistently. Real estate might not be your path, but freedom and fulfillment should be your goal.Connect with Michael Albaum atCTA:

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