DogTags to Ownership
DogTags to Ownership
Podcast Description
DogTags to Ownership is the podcast designed for military members and veterans ready to transition from service to success in business. Whether you’re considering entrepreneurship for the first time or are already on the path to business ownership, this show provides the tools, insights, and inspiration you need to thrive.Hosted by U.S. Army Officers Julie Austin and Matthew Cain, we explore the unique strengths veterans bring to the entrepreneurial world, share actionable advice from experts, and feature inspiring stories of those who’ve successfully made the leap.Tune in to transform your military experience into a foundation for innovation, resilience, and business leadership.#DogTagsToOwnership #VeteranEntrepreneurs #MilitaryToBusiness #VeteranOwnedBusiness
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast centers on themes of entrepreneurship, leadership, resilience, and personal growth, with episodes exploring topics like building community in fitness, lessons learned from veteran guests, and inventive journeys in sustainable fashion. For instance, recent episodes included in-depth conversations with founders like Cody & Brielle Savoy of Uncaged Fitness, showcasing how their military experience influenced their entrepreneurial endeavors.
DogTags to Ownership is the podcast designed for military members and veterans ready to transition from service to success in business. Whether you’re considering entrepreneurship for the first time or are already on the path to business ownership, this show provides the tools, insights, and inspiration you need to thrive.
Hosted by U.S. Army Officers Julie Austin and Matthew Cain, we explore the unique strengths veterans bring to the entrepreneurial world, share actionable advice from experts, and feature inspiring stories of those who’ve successfully made the leap.
Tune in to transform your military experience into a foundation for innovation, resilience, and business leadership.
#DogTagsToOwnership #VeteranEntrepreneurs #MilitaryToBusiness #VeteranOwnedBusiness
Summary:
Hard Truth Rods, Navy Service, and Building Purpose Through Fishing
Glenn Cook, founder of Hard Truth Rods, shares how a Navy career, a health scare, and a chance connection through a custom fishing rod led him into handmade rod building. Julie Austin and Matt Cain talk with Glenn about military life, small batch craftsmanship, and how fishing became both a creative outlet and the foundation for a new purpose. This episode blends personal story, veteran camaraderie, and entrepreneurship. Glenn also explains how custom rods have supported nonprofit fundraisers, including a Three Rangers Foundation event, and why he believes business should be driven by purpose first.
Key Topics:
- Glenn Cook explains how he went from Iowa to the Navy at age 20, first training as a sonar technician before cross-rating into the Seabees.
- Glenn shares the unusual path that took him from military service to plumbing, pipefitting, and eventually running a transportation program at the Omaha VA.
- The conversation covers a brain health scare that led to medical testing, anxiety medication, and a period of reflection that changed his routine and priorities.
- Glenn describes how a Tenkara fly rod, originally sitting unused in his truck, pulled him back into fishing and gave him a better headspace.
- He explains how he went from fishing with that rod to researching rod building, buying materials, and accidentally launching Hard Truth Rods.
- Glenn recounts building a custom rod for Jeff McCabe of Hard Truth distilling, matching the rod’s epoxy and thread work to the bottle label and branding.
- Julie asks about Glenn’s first customers and nonprofit work, and Glenn explains that his early rods went to himself, his son, friends, and local supporters.
- Glenn shares the story of a Three Rangers Foundation fundraiser where his rod sold for $10,000 and connected him with Medal of Honor recipients and major donors.
Chapters:
- 00:00 – Introduction to Glenn Cook and Hard Truth Rods
- 01:34 – Joining the Navy at 20 and choosing sonar technician
- 03:44 – Discovering the Seabees and cross-rating
- 05:57 – Family Navy history and why he enlisted
- 10:26 – Returning to Iowa and starting civilian trades work
- 11:18 – Apprenticeship, VA work, and leading a veteran team
- 13:27 – The health scare that changed everything
- 17:01 – Tenkara fishing becomes the turning point
- 22:19 – First rods, first users, and early confidence
- 24:06 – The Three Rangers Foundation auction story
- 30:20 – The meaning behind hidden messages in the epoxy
- 37:13 – Business advice: follow purpose, ask questions, stay authentic
- 40:03 – Forces Brands USA Business of the week
Resources:
- Support our community and purchase from an amazing businesses on https://forcesbrands-usa.com/ for the #ReplaceOneChallenge
- We are a proud member of Heroes Media Group
- Check us out on Wreaths Across America Radio on Thursday mornings at 7 am.
Visit our website: https://www.dogtags-to-ownership.com/
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Disclaimer
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