James Patrick – Special Forces veteran on entrepreneurship, transitioning and giving back
James Patrick attended Cornell on an Army ROTC Scholarship, a detour from the University of Michigan, his family school. And until a mentor convinced him to “give the Army one more chance,” he was ready to leave after his initial tour.
But stay he did, and selection to Special Forces led to command and a path he would never surrender.
No regrets. A great experience.
Now an executive managing risk in San Antonio, Patrick is also the Chairmen of the Board of Sound Off, a non-profit whose mobile application allows individuals in a mental health crisis to see an anonymous path to help.
In this episode, Patrick shares his wisdom as an entrepreneur, military transition mentor, and volunteer.
On Entrepreneurship
Founding a business, Patrick said, “Running my own company was probably the most stressful event I’ve ever had to come across – more so than being in combat.”
On Transitioning
Patrick gives three points: 1) Use your network, ask for help 2) Know your true North and why and 3) Know your passions.
Why Volunteer?
Patrick says he was blessed and fortunate all of his life, so called to pay it forward. Relying on his faith in God, he knows we are not in this alone – we all need one another. He lives by the Golden Rule, doing unto others as he hopes they will do with him. And he emphasizes “being kind, gracious and loving.” His story about the calling to Sound Off is divinely inspired. Patrick is our second guest from Sound Off.
We previously aired an episode with William Negley, Founder and CEO.
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About our guest
James Patrick LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamestpatrick/ SWBC
SWBC LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/swbc/
Sound Off website: https://sound-off.com/
Sound Off LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sound-off-inc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundofforg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soundofforg/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoundOFF
About your host
Bob Louthan is a VMI Graduate, Army veteran, and executive with over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions and private capital formation. He founded the VeteranCrowd Network to bring veterans and veteran-led businesses together with each other and the resources they need to prosper.