Episode 7 Category Technology and Engineering Charles Bender

Jarvis and Charles discuss Charles' background, including growing up in California and Arizona, his early entrepreneurial experiences like shining shoes as a child, and his time in the Navy. Charles shares how his upbringing and military service shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and desire for freedom and control over his time.Transitioning from the military to business Charles describes the challenges he faced transitioning out of the military, including difficulty finding a civilian job that matched his skills and experience. He shares how he ended up getting into financial planning and sales, which provided valuable lessons about running a business.Founding and growing IT and telecom businessesCharles discusses how he got into the internet service provider and managed IT services businesses, starting with solving his own internet access problem and then expanding to serve other rural customers. He emphasizes the importance of recurring revenue models and leveraging teams and processes to scale a business.Advice for aspiring veteran entrepreneursCharles provides guidance for veterans looking to start their own businesses, including the importance of embracing new technologies like AI, building a strong network of mentors and advisors, and focusing on serving others rather than just personal gain. He encourages reaching out for help and support.Defining and achieving successCharles shares his personal definition of success, which is centered around having the freedom to live the life he wants rather than just financial metrics. He discusses his passion for helping others break out of generational poverty through a "thought privilege" mindset shift.