Guest: Tessa Arnold, Co-founder of Snapback Energy

Episode Summary:

In this episode of *The Tactical Leader Podcast*, host Zack Knight dives into an inspiring conversation with Tessa Arnold, the co-founder of Snapback Energy. Tessa shares the journey of creating Snapback Energy as a lasting legacy with her late husband, Army combat veteran Michael Arnold, and how they designed their company to provide veterans with clean, effective energy products. This episode is a powerful exploration of resilience, finding purpose, and navigating unexpected shifts in life and business.

Episode Highlights:

- Mindset of Resilience: Tessa explains the importance of keeping a “kid at heart” mindset and how this playful approach to life has helped her remain adaptive and resilient, especially through challenging times.

- Career Adaptability: From corporate roles to entrepreneurship, Tessa reveals her journey of pivoting careers and embracing change, and how these experiences prepared her for the unexpected.

- Snapback Energy’s Mission: Learn how Tessa and her late husband envisioned Snapback Energy as a purpose-driven business for veterans and active-duty military personnel, focusing on providing a clean, effective, and sustainable energy solution.

- Honoring a Legacy: Tessa discusses building Snapback Energy as a tribute to her husband’s legacy and their mutual commitment to creating something lasting for the veteran community.

Tune In To Learn:

- The challenges and triumphs Tessa faced in growing Snapback Energy.

- The mindset shifts necessary for transitioning from corporate roles to entrepreneurship.

- The impact of building a purpose-driven business and honoring a loved one’s legacy.

Whether you’re a veteran, entrepreneur, or anyone seeking inspiration on overcoming life’s hurdles, Tessa’s story is sure to resonate. Don’t miss this episode of *The Tactical Leader Podcast*!

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform and follow @TacticalLeaderPodcast for more inspiring stories of leadership and resilience.

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Connect with Tessa Arnold

[Website: Snapback Energy](https://snapbackenergy.com)

Instagram: [@snapbackenergy](https://instagram.com/snapbackenergy)

In a compelling episode of The Tactical Leader Podcast, host Zack Knight sits down with Jeff Barnes, CEO of Angel Investors Network, to delve into the intricacies of leadership, entrepreneurship, and the ever-challenging world of raising capital. Both military veterans, Zack and Jeff weave personal stories of resilience and lessons learned through hardship into the broader themes of navigating life after the military, building businesses, and helping others unlock financial autonomy.

Overcoming Early Challenges: A Foundation for Grit

Jeff’s entrepreneurial journey is rooted in adversity. He recalls a tumultuous childhood, where his family fell into homelessness after a failed business partnership. They lived in an old RV, bouncing between California and Colorado, barely scraping by. This early experience, though harrowing, instilled in Jeff an unshakable sense of grit and determination, qualities that would shape his future entrepreneurial success.

Rather than becoming risk-averse from these hardships, Jeff embraced the spirit of entrepreneurship. Watching his father toil as a small business owner taught him valuable lessons in hard work, even if scaling the business remained out of reach for his father. “My dad worked in fancy restaurants and mansions in Aspen doing hardwood floors, but he never grew the business,” Jeff reflects, noting that while his father’s work ethic was inspiring, it also showed him what not to do in business.

From Military to Entrepreneurial Success

Transitioning from military life to the civilian world wasn’t easy for Jeff, a challenge many veterans face. “When you’re in the military, you feel like you’re making an impact. Once you're out, it’s hard to replicate that,” Zack Knight adds. Jeff’s early attempts at finding a foothold after the military included ventures in financial planning, real estate, and corporate leadership. Despite his success in various sectors, Jeff struggled with the rigid structures and authority-driven culture of corporate life.

This disdain for authority pushed Jeff and his wife to build a chiropractic and functional medicine practice. With determination and smart marketing strategies, they grew it into a seven-figure business within months. “Within 90 days, we had a full schedule. That’s when I realized I had the tools to succeed on my own,” Jeff shares. The experience taught him not just how to run a business but how to scale it effectively—a critical skill he now helps other entrepreneurs master.

Angel Investors Network: Creating a Legacy Through Capital

As the CEO of Angel Investors Network, Jeff now helps entrepreneurs raise capital and scale their businesses. His early experiences with financial instability drive his mission to democratize access to capital. “I’ve tried so many things in my life. Now, with Angel Investors Network, I’m helping others find that same freedom,” Jeff explains. Through his organization, he works to build platforms where companies can raise capital and grow, creating what he calls “Torrential Downpour Economics”—the idea that successful companies spawn entire ecosystems of opportunity and job creation.

Zack, reflecting on Jeff's work, recalls attending one of his Nashville events, a space where entrepreneurs can connect with potential investors. With future events planned in Las Vegas and Tampa, the goal is to keep expanding the network and help more business owners secure the funding they need to scale.

Key Lessons for Entrepreneurs: Grit, Clarity, and Leadership

Throughout their conversation, Zack and Jeff emphasize three critical elements for entrepreneurial success:

1. Grit is Essential: Jeff’s rise from homelessness to CEO highlights the importance of resilience in overcoming challenges.

2. Clarity of Vision: Jeff advises entrepreneurs to

On the latest episode of The Tactical Leader Podcast, Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL, best-selling author, and host of the Danger Close podcast, shared his incredible journey from military service to becoming a top-tier author in the world of thrillers. Carr’s reflections highlight the value of building upon a foundation established by previous generations of authors while adapting to today’s constantly evolving media landscape.

Jack Carr is a former Navy SEAL who served for 20 years, transitioning from military operations to becoming a successful author and podcast host. His military experience, particularly in tactical operations and leadership, deeply informs his writing, lending authenticity to his thrillers. Carr’s time in the Navy SEALs laid the foundation for his post-service career, where he draws on his battlefield experiences to create compelling, action-packed stories. His journey from elite military service to top-tier author showcases his adaptability and commitment to excellence across different fields.

Building on the Legacy of Great Authors

Carr emphasized how crucial it has been for him to recognize and build upon the literary foundations laid by iconic thriller authors. "I’m not just regurgitating things—I’m building off the foundation that’s been built by all these other authors," he explained. He cited classic stories like *The Most Dangerous Game* and *Rogue Male* as significant inspirations, but it didn’t stop there. Carr outlined a timeline of influences, including legendary figures like Ian Fleming, John le Carré, Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy, David Morrell, and Nelson DeMille.

Carr acknowledges that the works of these authors have allowed him to forge his own path. "These guys gave me this foundation by writing such amazing books, and I build on that," he said, adding that he’s taken lessons from the past and applied them to modern-day storytelling in a way that honors those who came before him.

The Importance of Adapting to the Battlefield of Media

One of Carr’s unique insights in the podcast was how the modern publishing environment requires authors to adapt to new challenges, much like a battlefield. "You couldn’t have done what I’m doing now back in 1985," he said, reflecting on how digital platforms, podcasts, and social media have revolutionized the way creators can engage with their audience.

In Carr’s early career, traditional book tours and limited media appearances were the main avenues for engaging with readers. Today, authors like Carr have an abundance of ways to connect with fans, express gratitude, and contribute value, whether through social media interactions or hosting podcasts. “You might just want to write the book, and that’s wonderful. But for me, I need to build a readership,” Carr shared, explaining his motivation to create content beyond just writing novels.

This approach is more than just business—it’s personal. Carr, who has a middle child with severe special needs, shared that the financial responsibility of caring for his family drives his efforts to engage with his audience consistently. "For me, thanking people, being authentic, and adapting to this new environment is just as important as writing the books."

From Page to Screen

A particularly exciting moment of the conversation came when Carr recounted the story of how his book The Terminal List was adapted into a major television series. As he was writing the book, Carr imagined Chris Pratt playing the lead role, even though Pratt was then known primarily for comedic work on *Parks and Recreation*. After Pratt’s transformation in Zero Dark Thirty, Carr saw him as the perfect actor to embody the main character.

It turns out that Carr’s intuition was spot on. Through a fortunate series of connections—thanks to a friend, Jared Shaw—Pratt ended up...