#107 Michael Klemmer - Brewing Success After Service
Transitioning from Military Service to Entrepreneurship
Featuring Michael Klemmer| Tales of Leadership Podcast Ep. 107
From Major to Mission-Driven Entrepreneur
Transitioning from military service to civilian life is one of the most significant—and often most uncertain—chapters a veteran will face. For Michael Klemmer, a 20-year Army veteran who retired as a Major after serving as both an enlisted soldier and commissioned officer, that transition led to the founding of Aerial Resupply Coffee. Now available in Kroger stores and on Amazon, his company is a direct result of determination, resourcefulness, and the leadership values instilled through years of service.
Klemmer’s story serves as a blueprint for veterans who are considering entrepreneurship, as well as a guidepost for anyone seeking to align purpose with profession.
Redefining Success: Compensation vs. Fulfillment
One of the most powerful insights from Klemmer’s journey is the mindset shift required after leaving the military. In uniform, career progression is linear—ranks increase, and so does pay and responsibility. Civilian life, however, doesn’t follow that script.
“You could go to a director role and make 30% less than the military without benefits—or make three times more, but you’re never home.”
This recalibration of expectations—between income, time, and lifestyle—is essential for anyone transitioning out of service. Klemmer made it clear: it’s not just about the paycheck; it’s about what kind of life that paycheck enables.
Adapting Military Leadership for Civilian Impact
Military leaders are trained in direct, command-oriented environments. But in business, influence rarely comes from a rank on your chest—it comes from your ability to build relationships and lead without authority.
Klemmer emphasizes the importance of learning indirect leadership—the kind required in boardrooms, startups, and partnerships. He recommends the book Influence Without Authority as a powerful resource to understand this shift.
This skill is especially critical for entrepreneurs, who must inspire teams and customers without the structure of formal rank.
Leveraging the Right Resources
Klemmer didn’t transition blindly—he took full advantage of veteran-focused programs. He participated in:
SkillBridge
American Corporate Partners (ACP)
The Commit Foundation
Hiring Our Heroes
Each played a vital role. The Commit Foundation helped him reconnect with his pre-military identity. ACP connected him with a manufacturing executive who mentored him. These programs demystified everything from job offers and benefits packages to salary negotiations.
“You don’t need to go it alone. There are people and programs built to help—use them.”
Practicing Excellence Through Alignment
Excellence isn’t an accident—it’s alignment. Dr. Randall’s framework—passion, purpose, precision—guides leaders toward their calling. Passion fuels the work. Purpose gives it direction. Precision identifies where you’re uniquely positioned to serve. When all three align, leadership becomes more than a role—it becomes a calling.
Entrepreneurship Without the MBA
TWhen Klemmer decided to launch Aerial Resupply Coffee, he didn’t have a business background. He had a soldier’s mindset—adapt and overcome.
“How do I create an LLC? I have no idea. I go to YouTube.
How do I create a brand? I have no idea. I go to YouTube.”
In just 30 days, he built a brand and launched a functional website—no outside capital, no pre-sales—just focused execution. His military training gave him the confidence to figure it out as he went, and that same grit continues to fuel his business.
Brewing Ourpose Into Mission
Klemmer’s company is more than coffee. It’s a platform to serve others. He now mentors veterans through ACP and offers SkillBridge roles within his business. Looking forward, he envisions creating gathering spaces for veterans that aren’t centered around alcohol—alternative communities for the next generation of warfighters.
His model is one of service beyond the uniform—an example of what it means to build something that not only sustains you but lifts others up.
Final Thoughts
Michael Klemmer’s story is a lesson in resilience, reinvention, and relentless purpose. It proves that the same qualities that make great service members—adaptability, leadership, and a mission-first mindset—can also make great entrepreneurs. For veterans standing at the edge of transition, this story offers more than hope—it offers a path.
Key Takeaways:
Civilian success demands a new mindset—focus on alignment, not just income
Leadership without authority is essential in business and life
You don’t need to know everything—just be willing to figure it out
Veteran programs are tools for transition—use them
Entrepreneurship is about service—it starts with purpose
After Action Review (AAR)
Reflect on these questions to apply the leadership lessons from this podcast to your own journey:
What does fulfillment look like for you after service—and how are you defining success?
How are you preparing to lead without authority in your next role or venture?
What resources or relationships could accelerate your transition if you leaned into them today?
Together, we will impact 1 MILLION lives!!!
Every day is a gift; don't waste yours!
Joshua K. McMillion | Founder MLC
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