Service to Startup: Why the ultimate superpower for entrepreneurship is already in your DNA | Michael Dermer
- S5E107
- 1:13:43
- May 20th 2026
Host Donna sits down with Michael Dermer, founder of The Lonely Entrepreneur and IncentOne, to explore the powerful, surprising overlap between the entrepreneurial journey and the lives of the veterans and first responders.
Michael shares his raw path from corporate M&A lawyer to pioneering the health rewards industry, surviving the devastating 2008 financial crisis, and ultimately building a movement to ensure no entrepreneur has to struggle in isolation.
Resources & Links Mentioned
- The Lonely Entrepreneur Platform: Visit the Website to explore over 2,500 on-demand learning modules, tools, templates, and community support.
- The Veterans Initiative: Claim your free access license or learn how to support the mission at TLEfoundation.org/VEI.
- Weekly Open Coaching: Join the free weekly CEO Call for open mentorship and group coaching.
- Connect with Michael Dermer: Follow Michael's insights and journey on LinkedIn.
- Featured Book: The Lonely Entrepreneur by Michael Dermer (Be sure to check out the Applebee's story!)
- Upcoming Release: Keep an eye out for The Entrepreneur's Survival Guide—a tactical blueprint on how to adapt and thrive in a world driven by AI.
Beyond The Frontline
Your voice matters. If you find value in this podcast, please leave a review sharing how it has impacted you. We are always looking to improve, so please include any topics or guest suggestions you have. Your feedback helps us grow and ensures we’re tackling the subjects that matter most to our community
Beyond the Frontline is a podcast focused on one of the most critical and overlooked missions in military life: the transition from the Frontline to the Homefront. Hosted by retired Air Force nurse and seasoned transition mentor Donna Hoffmeyer, this show offers real conversations, practical guidance, and expert insights for service members, Veterans, and their families as they navigate life beyond uniform.
With over two decades of military service including roles in nursing, flight medicine, education, and policy. Donna brings firsthand knowledge and deep compassion to every episode. She holds a master’s degree in Sport Science, is co-author of Warrior to Patriot Citizen, and runs REBel LLC, a company dedicated to Veteran mentorship, consulting, and publishing.
Through interviews and shared experiences, Beyond the Frontline dives into the emotional, logistical, and cultural aspects of transition, from preparing early to finding purpose after service. Donna also draws from her blog Taking Off The Armor, offering thoughtful commentary on the challenges and growth that come before, during, and after military retirement.
If you're ready to turn experience into empowerment and uncertainty into a plan, this podcast is your next step.
Subscribe to Beyond the Frontline—where preparation meets purpose.
Donna is a 21-year retired Air Force nurse; with a career that spanned from nursing, flight nursing, education, training, readiness, and policy. Donna has a master’s degree in Sport Science and has co-authored her first book, Warrior to Patriot Citizen; focusing on ensuring service members are prepared for transition well before transition occurs. She also has her own blog, Taking Off The Armor, focused on all issues before, during and after transition and after retirement, as well as, a multifaceted business, REBel LLC, focused on veteran transition mentorship, consulting, and publishing her own work.