FORT BENNING, Ga., (March 18, 2015) -- Top entrepreneurs of American Dream U took the stage for Operation Give Back at Marshall Auditorium March 13, as part of the Soldier for Life Transition Summit held here March 11-14.
Some of the messages to Soldiers, veterans and spouses was to 'do whatever it takes' and 'take action' in their lives as they transition out of the Army.
Founder of American Dream U, Phil Randazzo, said the organization doesn't work for the Department of Labor, but instead the entrepreneurs either work for an organization or they run a business of their own.
"We have a whole different type of mindset," Randazzo said. "We try to find people that we feel are the best in whatever field they are at. Whether it is communicating, telling a story, or starting a business; we search out the best entrepreneurs we can find in the field that are masters."
The SFL Transition Summit was held along with other Hiring our Heroes events, including a free hiring fair for service members, veterans and spouses and one-on-one workshops to aid Soldiers in honing their job-seeking skills.
According to its website, www.americandreamu.org, American Dream U is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating men and women in the military and giving access to resources they need to transition into their dream job or start their own business.
"We don't know what their dream job is, and sometimes they don't know, as well," Randazzo said. "We just kind of guide them through a lot of exercises they can take to find out what they're passionate about that can actually bring them money."
This is the sixth installation American Dream U have visited and presented at, Randazzo said, noting the Soldiers they encounter seem excited about their transition.
"In my opinion, this is the greatest audience in the world," Randazzo said.
American Dream U speakers spent a day mingling with Soldiers at the hiring fair, as well as rappelling and jumping out of the 34-foot towers to get a sense of their audience.
"They actually tailor their talks to what they hear (at the hiring fair)," Randazzo said. "Hearing from them firsthand has been great for the speakers."
Entrepreneurs also mentored Soldiers on their career paths. Randazzo said a key point to emphasize is the significance of a Soldier's story such as the number of Soldiers they've led rather than the list of certificates they hold.
In the presentations, the audience was shown videos encouraging action. From award-winning director, agent and author, Nick Nanton, who told his audience about marketing themselves, to active-duty Soldier with Team Red White and Blue, Lou Nemec, who supported community involvement, the presentations offered words of empowerment for Soldiers.
A well-received speaker, Grant Cardone, international sales expert, New York Times best-selling author and radio show host of The Cardone Zone, had Soldiers echoing his message of "Do whatever it takes."
"The success in my life - these four companies - has been built because of my willingness to do stuff that nobody else wants to do," Grant said.
"You underestimate the thing that you've learned here; nobody in American knows it. The every day guy, the civilian out there does not know how to do whatever it takes."
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