In this episode of the Vet Visionary podcast, we dive into the world of personal branding with the trailblazing Michael ParkS, CEO of Daystar Branding and U.S. Airforce Veteran. From his journey as a veteran to becoming a renowned international photographer, Michael shares invaluable insights on how personal branding can transform your career and business. Discover how he leveraged his military discipline to pivot during challenging times and built a thriving photography business through authentic connections and strategic branding.

Tune in to learn how to make your brand stand out without losing your personal touch.

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Remember" Being Great ain't up for Debate!

This week’s guest on Vet to Visionary is none other than Prince Dykes — retired U.S. Navy Chief, Founder & Chief Investment Officer of Royal Financial Investment Group, and the driving force behind the Wesley Learns empire.

What started as a $500 investment has grown into a multi-million dollar portfolio and a national mission to equip kids with financial literacy early.

He's the author of the Wesley Learns series, the creator of Wesley Invests, and the founder of the Global Children Financial Literacy Foundation — helping children become first-time shareholders through books, not just bedtime stories.

He is the founder/host of the weekly financial literacy podcast "The Investor Show" which reaches 20k weekly listeners. His non-profit Global Children Financial Literacy Foundation turns kids into first-time shareholders of stocks through its book club “Wesley Learns.” He resides in Aurora, Colorado with his wife of 15 years and their 14-year-old son, Wesley.

Connect with Prince

Linkedin

Instagram

Global Children's Financial Literacy Foundation

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Remember" Being Great ain't up for Debate!

In this powerful episode of the Vet to Visionary Podcast, host Reka Leftridge sits down with retired Navy Senior Chief turned real estate leader, Javon Burden, for a raw and transparent conversation about life after service. Javon opens up about his mental health journey, navigating geo-batching, and the breakdown that became a breakthrough.

Together, they explore the reality many veterans face: self-doubt, isolation, and the search for identity beyond the uniform. Javon shares how he found healing, purpose, and success—and why your circle, your mindset, and your goals matter more than ever.

If you’ve ever felt unseen while building something impactful, this episode is for you. Get ready to be inspired by the power of vulnerability, community and bold vision.

Stay Connected with Javon

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheSalewithJavon

Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Javonburden

Business Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JBnewhomes

Website: https://www.JavonBurden.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/javonburden/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JavonHomes

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DroppedPinCreations

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Remember" Being Great ain't up for Debate!

In this episode of the Vet to Visionary Podcast, we welcome Chadrick Davis—a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran turned nonprofit leader and financial literacy changemaker—into the Command Suite.

Chadrick is the co-founder of the Global Children Financial Literacy Foundation, a powerful nonprofit on a mission to equip the next generation with the tools to understand what many of us had to learn the hard way: how money really works.

From launching the Wesley Learns Book Club to organizing nationwide book drives, Chadrick has been instrumental in bringing financial literacy into classrooms, communities, and conversations across the country.

His story is proof that true leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about impact.

Support the Global Children Financial Literacy Foundation

www.gcflf.org

https://shop.gcflf.org

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Remember" Being Great ain't up for Debate!

In this episode of the Vet to Visionary podcast, Stephanie Brown, CEO & Founder of The Rosie Network and the U.S. Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce stops by the Command Suite and talks with Reka about the challenges faced by military entrepreneurs, the importance of mentorship, and discusses the creation of an ecosystem for veteran entrepreneurs. The conversation emphasizes the impact of collective efforts in supporting military families.

Stephanie is a Visionary and Trailblazer in military entrepreneurship, having testified before the Joint Congressional Small Business and Veterans Affairs Committees. She's been featured on top national news platforms like FOX Business, CBS, NPR, Business Insider, and Woman’s Day Magazine, to name a few.

As the CEO of the Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce, she developed the groundbreaking Military Spouse-Owned Enterprise Certification (MSEC), collaborating with corporate giants such as DISNEY, USAA, and AT&T to amplify military spouse-owned businesses.

Stay Connected:

The Rosie Network

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Remember" Being Great ain't up for Debate!

In this episode of Vet to Visionary, Reka sits down with Terry Spain — CEO of Sports First Media and Terry Spain Consulting. A retired U.S. Navy Chief turned global speaker, author, mentor, and seasoned sports commentator, Terry brings decades of leadership experience to the mic.

Terry shares his powerful journey from military service to entrepreneurship, offering insights on:

• The mindset shifts veterans need to thrive as business owners
• Why mentorship is a mission, not a moment
• The real challenges of transitioning from uniform to civilian life
• The discipline, goal-setting, and community support that shape long-term success

He also opens up about his work as an author — the stories behind his books, what drives his message, and what he hopes veterans take away from his words.

Whether you're a veteran navigating your next chapter, a founder building from the ground up, or someone looking to lead with more purpose — this conversation is full of wisdom and real talk.

Connect with Dr. Terry Spain:

LinkedIn: Terry Spain
Instagram: @TerrySpain21 | @SportsFirstMedia
Facebook: Terry Spain
YouTube: @TerrySpain21
Website: TerrySpainConsulting.com

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Remember" Being Great ain't up for Debate!

In this episode of the Vet to Visionary Podcast, Reka interviews Melissa Washington, a proud Navy veteran and the Founder & CEO of Women Veterans Alliance. They discuss the importance of creating a supportive community for women veterans, the journey of building the Women Veterans Alliance, and the resources available for women entrepreneurs. Melissa shares her experiences in networking, the significance of safe spaces, and the challenges faced by women veterans in entrepreneurship. The conversation highlights the upcoming events and initiatives aimed at empowering women veterans and fostering connections within the community.

Support and Get Connected

Support Melissa by voting for her for Veteran of the Year Vote here

Women Veterans Alliance

Women Veterans Giving

Veteran.Events

Facebook |X | Instagram | LinkedIn | Pinterest |YouTube | Buy from a Woman Vet

Women Veterans Engage Conference May 31, 2025- Learn More

Unconference September 26-28, 2025 – Learn More

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Remember" Being Great ain't up for Debate!

In this episode of the Vet to Visionary Podcast, Reka interviews Anthony Cosby, a Navy veteran and entrepreneur who founded STZY (Steezy) a brand focused on athletic footwear. Anthony shares his journey from military service to entrepreneurship, discussing the challenges he faced, the importance of mindset, and the role of faith in his business. He emphasizes the need for resilience, the significance of finding the right manufacturing partners, and the myths surrounding veteran entrepreneurship. Anthony also offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, encouraging them to take the leap and start their ventures.

Stay Connected with Anthony Cosby

Instagram @stzyfootwear

Shop STZY

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Remember" Being Great ain't up for Debate!