The most powerful thing at VetsFest wasn't on stage—it happened in the breaks.

Between sessions after moderating the Entrepreneurship Panel, a veteran approached me. Her voice was low but I could tell she was inspired and determined.

"I'm stuck. I've been working on this project for years, but I can't get traction. I don't know how to start. I feel like I'm doing this alone."

I looked at her, then at the room filled with 550+ veteran entrepreneurs:

"Look around. You see all these people? They're not strangers—they're your support system. Every veteran in this room owns a business or supports military families. You're not alone."

We took a picture together. I encouraged her to share her story, connect with the other female veterans in the room, and start conversations about her passion.

Right there on the Georgia Aquarium floor, she pulled out her phone and made her first post.

She felt stuck for years. One conversation at VetsFest changed everything in minutes.*

Within an hour, she found me again—this time with excitement.

"Oh my god, you were right! There are people here who want to help me. People who care about what I'm building!"

"I feel alone." Minutes later, she was filled excitement.

But that wasn't the only moment.

Another veteran approached me: "I want to start podcasting and doing interviews, but I don't know where to begin. I can't find guests or make time."

"Let's solve that right now," I said.

We shot a 1-minute interview about VetsFest—right there, live, in front of the stage.

Not just the panels or the networking. But the real magic happening in the spaces between—veterans helping veterans execute, not just dream.

One conversation turning years of paralysis into action.

One post connecting strangers into collaborators.

One minute of courage creating momentum that will last years.

What Anisa Palmer said during our panel kept echoing in my mind:

"The real key isn't just knowledge or opportunity—it's community."

Watching these moments unfold, I understood what she meant.

When you're surrounded by people who've walked the same path, you stop feeling like you're doing it alone.

That's what I saw happening at VetsFest.

Veterans who came in isolated left activated.

Veterans who came in unsure left connected.

Veterans who came in hesitant left in motion.

This is why we do what we do at IVMF. This is why VetsFest matters.

When veterans gather, we don't just network—we activate each other.

We turn "I don't know how" into "Let's do this right now."

We transform isolation into community.

We convert ideas into execution.

The work continues. The mission never stops.

What breakthrough moment have you had when someone simply said "Let's do this right now"?

Now it’s time to build.

At Alternative Programming, we help veterans rewrite the outdated script —
from “work harder, wait your turn” to “build smarter, lead louder.”

Because your discipline, your resilience, and your mission-first mindset
are the exact traits needed to win in business and in life.

🎯 For Veterans Ready to Build What’s Next:
🇺🇸 Explore resources and programs through the Institute for Veterans and Military Families → ivmf.syracuse.edu/our-programs
⚙️ Use AI + automation to build systems that scale → website.inspiredbybrands.com/prompt-path-gpt-lead
🎟️ Join the AI & Automation Summit for Entrepreneurs → entrepreneuraisummit.com
📬 Subscribe to Alternative Programming for weekly systems, tools, and veteran success stories → alternative-programming.beehiiv.com

You’ve already proven you can follow orders.
Now it’s time to write your own.

Let’s build what others only dream about.

— John Thomas
Service-Disabled Veteran | Founder, Alternative Programming
Structure builds freedom. ─────────────────────────────