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The MILCOM Founders Podcast

The MILCOM Founders Podcast

Written by: Rod Loges
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Championing and celebrating veteran founders through weekly conversations. Each episode features military entrepreneurs sharing their journey from service to success, uncovering real strategies for business growth, capital raising, and applying military leadership in the private sector.2024 One Degree Financial Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Kristen Ferullo | Partners in Purpose
    Jan 20 2026

    MILCOM Founders Podcast - Episode 33: Building a One-Stop Resource Hub for Military Families with Kristen Ferullo

    Join host Rod Loges and guest Kristen Ferullo as she shares her journey from special educator to military school liaison to founding Partners In Purpose, an organization dedicated to curating accurate, timely resources for military and veteran families.

    In this episode:

    • Kristen's nearly 12 years as a military school liaison helping families navigate K-12 education across moves
    • The origin story of Partners In Purpose and its scholarship database with over 1,000 opportunities
    • Why military families move 6-9 times during their children's educational careers and how that creates unique challenges
    • The growing importance of trade schools and CTE programs as alternatives to traditional college
    • How early leadership training shaped Kristen's purpose-driven approach to serving others

    Key takeaways:

    • Old, outdated information at the top of Google searches creates real problems for military families trying to plan moves and education
    • Purpose-driven work requires partners who share that purpose. You don't get there alone.
    • Every day you have a positive impact on one family is a success. Figure out the business part later.
    • Listening to respond versus listening to understand is a critical difference in communication
    • Knowing your "why" is the foundation of everything you do

    Guest: Kristen Ferullo, Co-Founder of Partners In Purpose, Military School Liaison (nearly 12 years)

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-ferullo/
    • Business Website: https://partners-in-purpose.com/

    Kristen Ferullo is the Co-Founder of Partners In Purpose, an organization focused on curating accurate and timely resources for military and veteran families. As a Military School Liaison in a geographically dispersed area for nearly 12 years Kristen has become acutely aware and deeply passionate in serving the needs of the military community.

    Kristen brings years of valuable diversified experience to her organizational leadership style. As a former Special Educator, a Navy Fleet & Family virtual Leadership Professional, 2025 Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Leadership Community Team Lead, and Technical High School Advisory Committee Chair, and student mentor, Kristen has shown her ability to work with any audience. In her personal time, Kristen is an educational programming and opportunity advisor, mentor and event volunteer for multiple non-profit organizations. Kristen most enjoys hiking, yoga, travel and spending time with her dog and three amazing, grown(ish) children.

    Looking ahead: Kristen aims to build Partners In Purpose into a one-stop shop for military and veteran families, simplifying access to trusted resources for education, spouse employment, and family support. She also hopes to offer leadership coaching and communication training, drawing on her 20+ years working with student leadership programs.

    The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.

    Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

    Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/

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    43 mins
  • Jon Meadows | High-End Headshots
    Jan 6 2026

    MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 32: From Campaign Trail to Headshot Excellence with Jon Meadows

    Join host Rod Loges and guest Jon Meadows as he shares his journey from political communications to founding High-End Headshots, a premium photography business specializing in professional headshots. Jon discusses how getting fired became the catalyst for building a thriving business that serves executives, professionals, and veterans across the DC area.

    In this episode:

    • Jon's transition from political campaigns to full-time photography entrepreneur
    • How a $20/month online mentorship transformed his career trajectory
    • Getting fired with a 9-month-old at home and launching a business the same day
    • Building a premium pricing strategy that values quality over volume
    • The importance of hyper-focus and single-mentor learning systems
    • Giving back through annual $50,000 headshot giveaways for veterans

    Key takeaways:

    • Specialization creates competitive advantage – Jon focused exclusively on headshots rather than general photography
    • Pricing psychology matters – aspiring to be "the best and most expensive" creates client respect and work-life balance
    • Faith and stewardship drive business decisions, not just profit
    • Following one proven system beats collecting advice from multiple sources
    • Professional headshots create human connection and trust before you ever meet someone
    • Being a "net exporter" means using your gifts to produce more than you need so you can give to others

    Guest: Jon Meadows, Founder of High-End Headshots, Former Political Communications Professional

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/highend/
    • Business Website: https://highendheadshots.com/

    Jon Meadows runs High-End Headshots, a premium photography business in the Washington DC area with over eight years of experience. Known for his facial expression coaching approach, he's earned the reputation as "the last hope for the non-photogenic" and helps clients "wow themselves" with professional imagery that creates trust and human connection.

    Jon's path to entrepreneurship began on political campaigns, where he worked long hours in communications roles. After his mom noticed his compositional eye from study abroad photos, he picked up photography as a side pursuit. When he was unexpectedly fired from a nonprofit job in 2018 with a 9-month-old daughter at home, Jon went full-time with his photography business that same day. He found mentorship through the world's best headshot photographer for just $20/month and built a thriving business based on premium pricing, hyper-focus, and exceptional client experience.

    Beyond his business success, Jon is a husband to Katie for 10 years, father to four kids under nine (two boys and two girls, "which was the master plan"), and an avid racket sports player who's recently gotten into pickleball tournaments. He's also a man of deep faith who views his business as stewardship – using his gifts to be a "net exporter" who can give generously to his church, school, family, and community.

    Looking ahead: Jon continues to refine High-End Headshots while maintaining the work-life balance that allows him to be present for his young family. Each year, he gives away approximately $50,000 worth of headshots to veterans and those transitioning out of military service, turning his craft into a way to serve those who served.

    The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs and those who serve the military community.

    Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com

    Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/


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    42 mins
  • Richard Beaupre | ChemArt
    Dec 23 2025
    MILCOM Founders Podcast – Episode 31: A Christmas Tribute to Richard "Dick" Beaupre, Founder of ChemArtOn this special Christmas episode of the MILCOM Founders Podcast, we honor the legacy of Richard "Dick" Beaupre, U.S. Navy veteran and founder of ChemArt, one of America's most successful ornament manufacturing companies. Host Rod Loges speaks with Hamilton Davison, current CEO of ChemArt, and David Marquis, former President, as they share Dick's remarkable journey from Navy service to building a company that has created White House Christmas ornaments for over four decades.In this episode:Dick's military service in the U.S. Navy (1956-1958) and how he used GI Bill benefits to fund his chemistry educationHis path from research labs to securing patents in photochemical etching techniquesLaunching ChemArt in 1976 from a former ice cream factory with his wife Barbara and just four employeesBuilding the White House Historical Association ornament program, which began in 1981Dick's commitment to giving back through URI scholarships for non-traditional studentsHow his technical skills and business vision proved that American manufacturing could thrive through innovation and quality craftsmanshipKey takeaways:Veteran entrepreneurship combines technical expertise with business visionGI Bill education benefits can transform military service into entrepreneurial successBuilding a family business requires commitment to both employees and communityInnovation in manufacturing comes from applying specialized technical knowledge to market needsCreating scholarship opportunities helps future generations face the same challenges you once overcameWebsite: https://chemart.com/ Guests:Hamilton Davison, Chief Executive Officer of ChemArt Company and Beacon DesignHamilton Davison is Chief Executive Officer of ChemArt Company and Beacon Design in Lincoln, Rhode Island. An entrepreneur who has started or scaled over a dozen businesses, including conceptualizing and designing a novel retail card & gift store that was ultimately franchised to over 150 locations, Davison also has a deep background in manufacturing, consumer goods marketing and design-led product development. His experience is a good fit for Beacon Design by ChemArt, combining efficient onshore production, rapid market response and excellent customer service.Davison has run a nonprofit organization and served on a variety of nonprofit boards over his career. He has served on a variety of corporate boards for both publicly traded and private companies. He also has deep direct-to-consumer experience working with direct marketing, e-commerce and catalog marketers. He holds a Master of Science from the University of Texas and an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University.David Marquis, Former President and Co-Owner of ChemArt CompanyDavid Marquis is the former President and Co-Owner of the ChemArt Company, a Manufacturer of Custom Designs primarily focused on serving Philanthropic and Non-Profit Entities. He is a graduate of Bryant University and received his Master's Degree in Business from the University of Rhode Island. Dave has a passion for U.S. History, which has shaped his company's drive to help organizations raise funds by telling stories that are unique to their mission or cause.Honoring: Richard "Dick" Beaupre, Founder of ChemArt (1956-2018)Richard "Dick" Beaupre was a U.S. Navy veteran (1956-1958) who transformed his passion for chemistry into one of America's most successful ornament manufacturing companies. After completing his military service, he enrolled at the University of Rhode Island in 1958, using GI Bill benefits to fund his education while working two part-time jobs and raising a young family.Following his 1962 graduation with a chemistry degree, Dick spent years in research labs developing innovative processes. He secured patents for photochemical etching techniques that would later become the backbone of his own venture. In 1976, he and his wife Barbara launched ChemArt from a former ice cream factory with just four employees.The company grew steadily, finding its niche in precision-etched metal ornaments using the same process created to produce precision components in its ChemTecUSA division for industries like aerospace, military, and medical.The company started manufacturing the White House Historical Association ornaments including presidential keepsakes and anniversary ornaments since the program began in 1981. Today, this collection represents one of the largest ornament programs in the country.Dick's contributions to URI were equally significant. In 2006, the university awarded him an honorary doctorate. A decade later, they named their new chemistry facility after him: the Richard E. Beaupre Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences. He created scholarship funds specifically for non-traditional students (parents returning to school, people balancing work and education, anyone facing the same challenges he once did).When ...
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    49 mins
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