Skin in the Game VC Podcast

Curious as to how military training prepares you for the world of entrepreneurship? If you’ve ever found yourself at a crossroads in your career and felt that you just aren’t being offered anything to your liking, have you ever thought of striking out on your own? Entrepreneurship is a complicated and humbling experience, but it also allows you to be your own boss and create the business you’ve always wanted to work for. What happens when a former Army officer and member of the White House Homeland Security board retires from the military and decides to make his own luck? You get Brian Butler, founder and CEO of Vistra Communications. From college ROTC to working at the Pentagon to founding his own startup, Brain has experienced firsthand a remarkable professional career. Vistra Communications handles PR, marketing, and consulting for a number of government and corporate contracts, including AT&T and Coca-Cola. Founded in 2007, they now employ over 100 people and have offices in both Florida and Northern Virginia. As a 22 year veteran of the US Army, Brian has learned invaluable lessons through his service. Listen and learn what Brian attributes his success to and what we can do to help diversify the growing field of Florida entrepreneurs. Listen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsSome Questions Asked: How did you transition from the army to entrepreneurship? (4:33)How did the military prepare you for the rollercoaster of business ownership? (7:22)What did the army teach you about leadership? (8:50)How can we fix the disparity in diversity amongst entrepreneurs? (14:58)What impact does technology have on your business? (19:16)Where does the military stand on adopting and developing technology? (21:22)In this episode, you will learn:How Brian got started as an entrepreneur. (2:27)Why Brian believes that veterans make excellent employees. (6:05)The type of attitude that makes a successful business leader. (11:15)About the emerging start-up scene out of South Florida. (18:24)Advice Brian has for founders. (25:13)Connect with Brian:LinkedInVistra CommunicationsVistra on FacebookVistra on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show Notes

Curious as to how military training prepares you for the world of entrepreneurship? 


If you’ve ever found yourself at a crossroads in your career and felt that you just aren’t being offered anything to your liking, have you ever thought of striking out on your own? Entrepreneurship is a complicated and humbling experience, but it also allows you to be your own boss and create the business you’ve always wanted to work for. 


What happens when a former Army officer and member of the White House Homeland Security board retires from the military and decides to make his own luck? You get Brian Butler, founder and CEO of Vistra Communications. From college ROTC to working at the Pentagon to founding his own startup, Brain has experienced firsthand a remarkable professional career. 


Vistra Communications handles PR, marketing, and consulting for a number of government and corporate contracts, including AT&T and Coca-Cola. Founded in 2007, they now employ over 100 people and have offices in both Florida and Northern Virginia. 


As a 22 year veteran of the US Army, Brian has learned invaluable lessons through his service. Listen and learn what Brian attributes his success to and what we can do to help diversify the growing field of Florida entrepreneurs. 


Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Google Podcasts


Some Questions Asked: 

  • How did you transition from the army to entrepreneurship? (4:33)
  • How did the military prepare you for the rollercoaster of business ownership? (7:22)
  • What did the army teach you about leadership? (8:50)
  • How can we fix the disparity in diversity amongst entrepreneurs? (14:58)
  • What impact does technology have on your business? (19:16)
  • Where does the military stand on adopting and developing technology? (21:22)


In this episode, you will learn:

  • How Brian got started as an entrepreneur. (2:27)
  • Why Brian believes that veterans make excellent employees. (6:05)
  • The type of attitude that makes a successful business leader. (11:15)
  • About the emerging start-up scene out of South Florida. (18:24)
  • Advice Brian has for founders. (25:13)


Connect with Brian:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is Skin in the Game VC Podcast?

Florida Funders Managing Partner and "Skin in the Game VC" podcast hosts Saxon Baum & Tom Wallace believes that entrepreneurs are game changers and that the companies they envision, create and build make the world a better place. FLF is a hybrid venture capital fund and investor network that discovers, funds, and builds early-stage technology companies. We combine a $300M+ venture platform with 2,000+ accredited investors to back breakout founders in B2B software, fintech, AI, health care, and cybersecurity. Beyond capital, our team of serial entrepreneurs and investors provides operating expertise, strategic introductions, and a nationwide support network that helps founders win. By unifying venture capital with an engaged investor community, we deliver exceptional outcomes for founders and LPs alike. This podcast was envisioned to educate, connect and activate accredited investors to get skin in the game and invest like a VC.