This post was written by Byron Chen. Byron is a Marine Corps Veteran, a podcaster, and an entrepreneur. He is a regular contributor to Command Your Business.
-Scott
Byron Chen, Marine Veteran, Founder SuccessVets
I’m a hustler. Always been that way. Probably one of the reasons I joined the Marine Corps – the toughness and discipline matched well with my penchant to just grind things out. After I left the military, I thought a high paying job in the medical device sales industry would fit what I was looking for. Not exactly. I missed working with good people for a cause that mattered to me. Which brings me to Command Your Business. I’ve wanted to be an entrepreneur since I was a child. I tried to start a tutoring company in high school. I sold CD’s and custom t-shirts over the Internet to supplement my income after college. I tried starting a software company after I left the military. I didn’t always succeed, but I enjoyed every bit of being a creator of my own income. A few years ago I realized that I want to build a business that gives me financial freedom and the time to enjoy the things in life I fought for. I recently left my first job after the military to work on a bunch of different types of ventures that I hope will get me to this goal. I ‘m a real estate investor and I just started a small vending business. I’m also writing, and podcasting, and partnering with some military buddies to test a startup idea. I know not every venture will pan out. In fact, I’m hoping for that. I know that eventually, I’ll have to focus on the most successful ones, but for now, it’s all an adventure in figuring it out. I’ll be posting on the Command Your Business blog to detail my trials and triumphs and lessons learned along the way. Keep following me to see what I create.
I currently podcast at SuccessVets.com, a resource site I founded for veterans and service members. I have interviewed amazing veterans to pass along their lessons learned to help others with their careers and lives after the military. Guests have included CEO’s, authors, entrepreneurs, and other successful veterans covering topics like interviewing skills, salary negotiation, and business. I was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps and a graduate from the United States Naval Academy.
Best,
Byron
Byron was interviewed in Command Your Business Episode 70
