🧠 Long Story Short:
Veteran EDGE 2025 wasn’t just an event — it was a masterclass in how veteran entrepreneurs show up, support one another, and scale together.
From reconnecting with 7-figure OGs to meeting future collaborators, I left with more than inspiration — I left with real partnerships, real perspective, and real momentum.
This year reminded me that success isn’t just about what you know — it’s about who you know and who you become for others.
Welcome to 2025: The Year of the Veteran Entrepreneur.
🦅 2025: The Year of the Veteran Entrepreneur
“What started with a headshot and a logo turned into a 10-year, 7-figure journey — thanks to IVMF.”
For those who don’t know my backstory — I’m a proud alum of the IVMF EBV (Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans) program. That experience gave me something most people pay thousands for:
✔️ My first professional logo
✔️ A capability statement
✔️ A clean headshot
With those tools in hand, I landed my first corporate contract.
Fast forward to today:
✅ 3 businesses
✅ 4 apps
✅ 2 exits
✅ 7 figures in revenue...
I am now a Brand Ambassador for IVMF Bunker Labs and run a thriving business. My journey with IVMF started almost 10 years ago, and I still make time to attend EDGE every year. Why? Because I get just as much value now — if not more — than I did on day one.
Why Conferences Like Veterans Edge Still Matter
🔹 "EDGE is where real entrepreneurs meet real solutions — not just in theory, but in the trenches."
There are plenty of conferences for entrepreneurs. But Veteran EDGE hits differently.
It’s not just information — it’s transformation through proximity. This is where real business happens, real doors open, and real collaborations form between entrepreneurs who are actually in the arena.
🤝Connection
🔹 "Some of the most valuable insights didn’t come from the stage — they came from the hallway."
EDGE brings together founders, operators, advisors, and changemakers from across the veteran ecosystem — people who truly get it.
I reconnected with powerhouses like:
Sheena Parker, Nick Green, Dan Spangler, Dr. Stephannie L., Nick Bradfield — all building legacy businesses quietly and powerfully.
And I met new leaders like:
MAJ (R) Annette Whittenberger, Justin Miller, Shawn Welch, Alex Mouton
Big gratitude to Neferteri Strickland, who connected me with a potential strategic partner in Chicago — a market I’ve been working on expanding into.
Confirmation
💡 Confirmation
EDGE validated what I’ve always believed:
“Good businesses run by good people outlast trends, tweets, and TikToks.”
Social media might reward visibility — but business rewards consistency and character.
Every conversation with my IVMF OGs reminded me that doing the real work quietly stacks the biggest wins.
Collaboration
🔗 Collaboration
The best part of EDGE? It’s not just networking. It’s collaboration in real-time.
I’m excited to:
Partner with Moniek James, MBA on AI and tech
Work with Abby Malchow to highlight Amazon’s resources for veterans
Keep building with Ryan Hunt, always an inspiration
Mentor three up-and-coming entrepreneurs breaking into multifamily property management — sharing hard-won lessons from my own service-based journey
“At EDGE, we don’t just network — we build bridges.”
Find Your “Who’s”
IVMF Veteran Business Showcase
📚 Who Not How Framework
🔹 "Don’t ask how to do it. Ask who can help you do it better, faster, and with less friction."
(Based on the book Who Not How by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy)
One of the most powerful frameworks in entrepreneurship comes from the book Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy (read more):
That mindset was everywhere at EDGE.
People weren’t just looking for their “next hire” — they were looking for their next WHO. And in the process, becoming that WHO for someone else.
Stay Connected and Take Action
🙌 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re just starting your business or scaling your next venture, events like EDGE remind us that we’re not meant to do it alone.
Veteran EDGE 2025 was a reminder that:
“Proximity is power. Community is currency. EDGE is both.”
If you're a veteran-connected entrepreneur, get in the room. Attend the next EDGE. Reach out to IVMF. Plug into Bunker Labs.
There’s a tribe of builders out here ready to lift you up — if you’re ready to lean in.
⚙️ Powered by:
Let’s keep building. Together.
— John Thomas
🎯 Veteran Entrepreneur | Franchise Leader | AI Innovator
