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Ep. 178 - How Veterans Can Succeed in Entrepreneurship with Chris Klaftenegger

Episode #178

How can veterans transition from military life to entrepreneurship while preserving their mission-driven mindset?

 

This week, Ashton sits down with Chris Klaftenegger, a former Navy and Air Force veteran and current CEO of Onyx Industries. Chris shares his journey from the military to entrepreneurship, offering insight into the challenges of transitioning into civilian life and the business world. He talks about the importance of staying connected to a sense of mission, the difficulties of entrepreneurship, and how veterans can leverage their unique skills in the business world. His personal stories reveal how perseverance, adaptability, and maintaining a team-focused mindset are critical in both military and business success.

 

[00:01 - 13:42] The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins

  • Perseverance and adaptability are key to long-term success
  • Life rarely goes according to plan, but pivoting is essential
  • Learning new skills is crucial in transitioning from military to entrepreneurship

 

[13:43 - 26:08] Building Onyx Industries

  • It’s important to find your niche in the industry you enter
  • Networking and strategic partnerships are invaluable in entrepreneurship
  • Veterans’ skills translate well into business but must be adapted to new goals

 

[26:09 - 39:06] Starting a Business: The Hard Truth

  • Protecting your intellectual property is crucial when starting a business
  • Trial and error are part of the process; embrace mistakes as learning experiences
  • Having a solid network and community can shorten the learning curve and save time

 

[39:07 - 52:33] Staying Mission-Driven

  • Entrepreneurs must find a mission bigger than profit to sustain their drive
  • Building a strong team and fostering collaboration are key elements of success
  • Veterans can redefine their mission to fit into civilian life without losing purpose

 

[52:34 - 01:06:52] Advice for Veterans Transitioning to Business

  • Don’t isolate yourself after transitioning from the military; stay connected
  • Utilize the veteran network and seek out mentors who’ve been through the process
  • Success in business, like in the military, comes from teamwork and resilience

 

 

Connect with Chris:

Website: Onyx

LinkedIn: Chris Klaftenegger

 

 

Connect with Ashton!

Website: Valkere Investment Group

LinkedIn: Valkere Investment Group

 

 

Want to learn more about creating multiple streams of income, wealth protection, financial freedom, or real estate investing? Join our investor club, check out our blog, get our free ebook on investing, or join us for our monthly Real Estate Investing Made Simple virtual meetup. Take the first to your wins in life and head on to http://www.valkeregroup.com.

 

 

 

Key Quotes:

 

"The best way that I could affect and help guys is to go be successful, and then circle back." - Chris Klaftenegger

 

"I want to plant seeds of trees whose shade I’ll never feel. It’s not about me, it’s about leaving a legacy." – Chris Klafteneggar