What if the real value of the smoke pit was never the cigar, but the people sitting beside you?
In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry and co-host Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent
(
@FreddieJKim) sit down with Joey Mac Dizon, Marine Corps Veteran and co-founder of
@themobilecigarlounge to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, mentorship, and recreating the camaraderie Veterans often miss after service.
Joey explains how the military smoke pit helped inspire a business centered on bringing people together. From weddings and corporate events to Veteran gatherings, The Mobile Cigar Lounge uses cigars as a vehicle for something bigger: creating memorable experiences where people slow down, talk, and build genuine relationships.
Joey also shares how Veteran entrepreneurs helped him when he was starting out and why he now feels a responsibility to reach back and help others. The conversation covers hiring, understanding different personalities, building culture, and why leaders should give good people room to execute instead of micromanaging them.
In this episode:
• How the military smoke pit inspired The Mobile Cigar Lounge
• Turning camaraderie into a Veteran-owned business
• Why mentorship matters for Veteran entrepreneurs
• Building relationships without making them transactional
• Using behavioral assessments to strengthen teams
• Why Joey avoids micromanagement
• Learning from both great and poor leaders
• Recreating the connection Veterans often miss after service