15 MIN. W/GENERAL CASEY

Welcome to the first series of “15 min. w/_____.” A mini-series about spending 15 minutes each business quarter with “high profile” people who have demonstrated success in leadership, business, charity, and life itself. Since most people who operate at this level have very limited time, we figured 1 hour a year isn’t too bad of a time commitment to ask of them. Each interview starts with timer counting down from fifteen minutes, and I try to ask as many questions as possible.

Team SCOUT started this because our we wanted to talk to a man our Founder met at Patriot Boot Camp (PBC) in Austin, Texas. A family man. A military leader. He exemplifies what it means to be a Patriot. And demonstrates the importance of extending lessons learned & key tactics in life to those who are hungry to learn.

I met General Casey at PBC Austin, Texas. He was the keynote speaker, and boy was I fortunate to be in that room that day. His speech kept the attention of everyone there. He mentioned a quote from Theodore Roosevelt that really touched me. I had to speak with him. After a few emails back and forth with the General’s lovely assistant Laura, we had the interview set. And here’s how the phone interview went.

Topic for Q3: Veterans.
PURPOSE: To help veteran entrepreneurs gain some extra insight for their business. And to get to know General Casey a little more personally in relation to veteran entrepreneurship.

I.

Do you feel veterans have an advantage over non-veterans when it comes to starting a business?

Interesting question. I think veterans do because of their life experience in the military. They were taught skills that their peers only wish they had. I’m talking about skills like solving hard problems.
Veterans are trained well, and know how to deal with challenges successfully. They also know what it takes to be a team player. They know the importance of a values-based organization. I always tell veterans, “Don’t sell yourselves short.”

II.

Did you ever start a business at any point in your life?

While I was still in the military as a captain my friend and I needed ski boots. We decided to cut firewood, and we were going to sell it. We used his brother’s truck and chopped up loads of wood. We sold it. We did this for about a month, keeping detailed records of what we spent and what we made. We ended up making $7. I decided running a business might have not been for me during that time. (We both shared a laugh at this. Very funny story!).

III.

If you were in your 20s in today’s, and you decided to not join the military, do you think you would have been an entrepreneur?

It’s been a long time since my 20s. I’m not too much of a tech person. If I didn’t join the military, I would have probably gone to law school.

IV.

Who are some veteran entrepreneurs you know that are good role models for people just getting started in business? Can you name at least 2 and why.

Joseph Kopser comes to mind. He started Ride Scout. Great guy. His company ended up getting acquired by Mercedes Benz.

Another person that’s come to mind is Yinon Weiss. I met him at Harvard Business School. He started RallyPoint. He took that from a few thousand members, and now I think they’re over 1 million strong.

Mark Rockefeller is another veteran entrepreneur that’s a good role model. He started StreetShares, which focuses on loans to veterans.

All these guys came from that values-based organization I was telling you about. They know how to work as a member of a team, set a vision, and execute.

V.

If you could give one piece of business advice to veteran entrepreneurs, what would that be?

I tell this to anyone that is a leader. You have to force yourself to define your vision. And you must believe it. Then you have to clearly communicate it to your team. You have to focus to be successful. What sets you a part from everyone else? How is what you do different? A book that comes to mind is Great By Choice. Jim Collins asks, ‘What makes the companies different from everyone else?’ It was the distinctive behavior of the leader. I’m a big focus person. The hard questions are going to get asked, it’s better if you ask them.

VI.

Being from Portland, I have to ask: what’s your favorite type of coffee?

I was in Ethiopia almost 2 years ago. They took us to the coffee mart where they were selling different types of coffees. We actually saw them make it, and all the different beans and how the process works over there. It was a really special thing to see. As for me, I’m a dark roast guy myself. I’ll take it just black.

The fifteen minute timer when by so fast! We were out of time. I was amazed on all the cool stuff we talked about in such a short amount of time. I have a feeling spending 1 hour a year with General Casey is going to help not only myself grow, but other people grow as well. Thank you sir for such a pleasant convo! My favorite part was how relaxed and meaningful he made you feel. I was sitting outside a Starbucks in Portland, Oregon and he was on his porch he said. What a wonderful time! Looking forward to the next one (scheduled for December 2016).