#91 - Curtez Riggs - Connecting Communities, Military Influence in Action, and Veteran Impact

Send us Fan MailCurtez Riggs is a retired Military Veteran who spent twenty-one years within the ranks of the US Army. A native of Flint, Michigan, he is a serial entrepreneur, community builder, and advocate for the military community. Today, he uses entrepreneurship as a tool to create economic opportunities for marginalized communities and underrepresented voices. -Quick Episode Summary:Curtez Riggs on building community, military transition, and authentic connections.-Here are 3 key takeaways that really stood out:🔗 Servant Leadership in Action:Curtez intentionally stays “on the floor,” listening and connecting at the Military Influencer Conference (MIC). He focuses on learning others’ needs and bridging connections, emphasizing, “I want to be on the ground, I want to be connected, I want to solve problems and I want to make matches.”🚀 Success through Nontraditional Paths:His journey from hustling in Flint, collecting bottles for cash, to launching impactful ventures proves success isn’t always linear. “You can constantly reinvent yourself,” he says—encouraging us to trust our skills, embrace the hustle, and forge our own way.🤝 The Power of Authentic Community:Whether it’s the welcoming culture at MIC or his personal mentorship approach, Curtez shows that the real impact comes from creating access and breaking down barriers. “We like to be around heart-minded individuals… we have the heart to serve one another.”-Time Codes:00:00 Impact & Innovation03:49 Military Influencer Conference: Connecting Hearts08:12 Networking Strategy at MIC12:25 Empowering Transitions Through MIC16:03 Recurrent Military: Media for Service Members19:07 Flint Lessons and Military Bonds22:50 Mentoring Through Impactful Dialogue25:57 Entrepreneurial Beginnings and Ventures26:35 "Embracing Affiliate Marketing"29:43 "Former Crypto Enthusiast's Tale"33:26 "Seeking Role Models on TV"36:10 Nostalgic 90s Reflection39:23 Late Mentor's Impact on Perseverance43:53 Continuous Self-Reinvention Mindset47:20 From Divorce to Credit Repair52:39 "Returning Home to Innovate Service"53:42 Seeking Growth Through Storytelling57:06 "Podcast Reflection Request"Support the showConnect with Passing The Torch: Facebook and IG: @torchmartinMore Amazing Stories:Episode 41: Lee Ellis – Freeing You From Bond That Make You InsecureEpisode 81: Kurt Warner – Perseverance, Humility, and Lighting the Way Episode 90: Michelle 'MACE' Curran – How to Turn Fear into Fuel------------© 2026 TORCH LEAP®, LLC. All rights reserved.