Brewing Community & Business: The Brad Pond Interview

By Brent Parker | Resilience Repurposed Podcast & Blog

In this special interview, I sat down with Brad Pond—veteran, tech entrepreneur, and now proud owner of Cavaliers Coffeehouse in North Augusta, SC. His journey from Navy submariner to multimillion-dollar software sales executive to the steward of a thriving local café is nothing short of inspiring.

We dug deep into his background, motivations, marketing strategies, and what drives him to keep building—even when others would call it quits. Grab a cup of something strong and enjoy this deep dive into resilience, reinvention, and relationship-driven business.

☕ From Submarine to Small Business

Brad joined the Navy at 17, inspired by Tom Clancy’s Red Storm Rising. His six years of military service instilled the discipline and resilience that shaped the rest of his life. After a successful career in enterprise software (including emergency management tools used by FEMA and the military), Brad was offered the chance to acquire Cavaliers.

Instead of immediately stepping in, Brad pulled an “Undercover Boss” move—spending three months quietly observing the shop’s operations and customer dynamics before finalizing the deal. That approach gave him a front-row seat to Cavaliers’ unique culture and helped shape his first 100 days of ownership.

“It wasn’t about coming in and changing everything. It was about seeing what made Cavaliers special and asking how I could elevate that.”

🎯 Relationships Over Transactions

Whether in sales, tech, or hospitality, Brad believes relationships are the cornerstone of business. From FEMA contracts to barista-made lattes, it’s all about connecting people with solutions—or experiences—they remember.

“People don’t come back just because of a coupon. They come back because something clicked. Because they felt seen.”

🛠 Marketing That Builds Trust

Cavaliers thrives on community engagement. Brad uses a blend of traditional and digital marketing:

• Email campaigns tied to events and product launches

• Social media storytelling—focusing on real people, not just products

• Customer-generated content, like reposting guests’ photos from the courtyard

• Old-school loyalty cards—every 10th coffee is free

“You don’t need to dominate the whole market. You just need to be sticky enough for the right people.”

🗺 The Local Advantage

While large chains expand into the region, Brad remains confident that authenticity and experience will always beat convenience.

“Dutch Bros doesn’t have a courtyard and blues music on a Friday night. We do. That’s the difference.”

His team sources pastries, bagels, and cookies from beloved local bakeries like Sheila’s, Little D, and Alamie’s. The courtyard? Modeled after Charleston’s low-country charm. Cavaliers doesn’t just serve coffee—it curates moments.

🧠 Lessons in Leadership & Life

• On Entrepreneurship:
  “It costs more than the spreadsheet says. But God’s timing is always right. Sometimes you’ve got to leap before the money shows up.”

• On Niche Business:
  “Be the expert. Spend 18 minutes a day honing your craft. That’s how you rise to the top.”

• On Veterans in Business:
  “The civilian world doesn’t move at military speed. Be patient. Know when to push and when to pause.”

🎤 Listen to the Full Interview

🎵 Stream on Spotify

💡 Final Takeaway

Brad Pond exemplifies what happens when discipline meets soul. His success isn’t from chasing trends—it’s from understanding people, taking smart risks, and leaning into service with humility.

🔁 Coming Next

Stay tuned for more veteran entrepreneur spotlights and behind-the-scenes looks at real small businesses making a real difference.

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Instagram: @cavscoffee
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Help support Brad Pond and the incredible work he's doing to bring people together—one drink, one beat, one courtyard conversation at a time.

The Resilience Repurposed Podcast: Navigating Business, Leadership, and Change

Entrepreneurial Thinking and Veteran Leadership – An Interview with Lewis Parker of Parker Panels

Today, we are honored to feature Lewis Parker Sr., the founder and owner of Parker Panels based in Graniteville, South Carolina. Since founding Parker Panels in 1990, Mr. Parker has built a legacy of craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. His journey spans from building custom wood products for the taxidermy industry to owning tire and battery businesses, constructing homes, restoring heirloom furniture, and mentoring future...

In this episode, we explore his inspiring journey, the lessons he has learned, and the vision he holds for the future of Parker Panels and beyond.

🎧 Listen to the Full Podcast Episode

Key Topics Covered:

• How Parker Panels was founded and scaled from humble beginnings
• Lessons in craftsmanship, customer service, and business ownership
• Entrepreneurial mindsets shaped by generational experience
• Challenges and rewards of transitioning industries over a lifetime
• Vision for the future of Parker Panels and preserving a family legacy
• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on resilience, leadership, and success

About Parker Panels

Parker Panels specializes in handcrafted wood panels, wildlife bases, pedestals, and turkey calls designed for taxidermists and wildlife collectors across the United States. Built on a foundation of precision, passion, and integrity, Parker Panels continues to set a high standard in craftsmanship and customer service.

Learn more about Parker Panels at parkerpanels.com or call (803) 663-0510.

The Resilience Repurposed Podcast

Episode: Veteran Resilience, Innovation, and Leadership – An Interview with Brent Parker

Host: Jeff McDaniel
Guest: Brent Parker, Owner of Resilience Repurposed LLC

🎧 Listen to the Interview

🎙️ Introduction

In this episode, Jeff McDaniel interviews Brent Parker, a combat veteran, engineer, and founder of Resilience Repurposed LLC. Brent shares the journey from military service to engineering leadership and small business ownership. They explore how military training, adversity, and a mindset of constant adaptation shape resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial success.

🌱 Icebreakers & Personal Passions

Brent discusses his love for plants, art, reading, and spending time with family. He talks about how a bonsai tree helps him gauge his mental health and how creativity, nature, and service ground him outside of work. If he could travel anywhere, he’d visit Sri Lanka to reconnect with a friend and gain fresh perspective.

🪖 From Infantry to Engineering

Brent explains how infantry life instilled a mindset of “adapt and overcome,” essential to problem-solving in engineering and business. He draws parallels between military patrols and real-world manufacturing: planning, improvising, and stretching resources when needed.

🧠 Intelligence & Operational Planning in Business

His background in HUMINT and SIGINT taught him how to gather information before acting. Brent applies this to project planning through tools like mind mapping—especially helpful in managing ADHD and organizing engineering tasks in civilian roles and entrepreneurship.

🏗️ The Launch of Resilience Repurposed LLC

Initially starting in software consulting, Brent shifted toward physical product creation to feel more connected to his work. Today, his business spans 3D printing, laser etching, and CNC prototyping using plastics, polymers, metals, and more.

🎓 Educational & Technical Foundation

Brent holds an AAS in Welding and Building Construction and a BS in Welding Engineering Technology from Ferris State University. Inspired by material science and exposure to innovators like Mike Rowe, he pursued welding as a medium for applied science, not just skilled labor.

🤖 Robotics, CNC, and AI Integration

The conversation shifts into future tech: Brent’s building multi-axis robots, automating manufacturing, and helping family businesses evolve. He discusses cobots, collaborative design, and the potential of AI to close the skill gap in the trades.

💡 Translating Complexity for Clients

Brent explains how he breaks down technical solutions for customers by adapting to their communication style. Using analogies and sketches, he transforms client ideas into tangible CAD models and iterative prototypes they understand and trust.

🌍 Veteran Perspective & Leadership

He reflects on how military hierarchy shaped his approach to leadership, collaboration, and emotional intelligence—emphasizing learning from both good and bad leaders. Brent believes strongly in treating everyone with respect and humility, regardless of rank or title.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Business, Family, and Personal Growth

Brent discusses the balance between running a business and honoring family. After experiencing divorce, loss, and caretaking, he’s learned the importance of putting on his own “oxygen mask” first—taking care of himself to better serve others. He now helps his father and sister expand their own businesses through automation and engineering support.

⚖️ Reflections on Service, Struggle, and Self-Worth

Brent emphasizes that real strength comes from knowing when to step back, be kind to yourself, and cut ties with people or systems that no longer serve your growth. His story is one of learning through hardship, leveraging trauma into innovation, and creating meaning through service and resilience.

📌 Final Takeaway

This conversation captures what it means to be a veteran, an innovator, and a lifelong learner. Brent's journey reminds us that healing, building, and leading are not separate paths—they’re part of the same mission.

Recorded and transcribed with permission. Podcast produced by Resilience Repurposed LLC.

The Resilience Repurposed Podcast

Episode: Entrepreneurial Thinking and Veteran Leadership – An Interview with Jeff McDaniel

Host: Lewis Brent Parker, Jr.
Guest: Jeff McDaniel, Business Owner, OmniVerus General Contractors

🎧 Listen to the Interview

Audio version available here: https://youtu.be/xw3GcoTcj74

🎙️ Introduction

Entrepreneurship is a path filled with challenges, opportunities, and personal evolution. For many veterans, the transition from military service to business ownership is a journey of resilience, adaptability, and strategic leadership. I had the opportunity to sit down with Jeff McDaniel, a veteran entrepreneur and owner of OmniVerus General Contractors, to discuss how his military experience shaped his career, his transition into entrepreneurship, and his vision for the future of his business. Our conversation spanned leadership, industry trends, veteran-owned businesses, and the balancing act of running a company while maintaining personal well-being.

🪖 Military Influence on Career & Transition to Entrepreneurship

Brent Parker: Jeff, thanks for taking the time for this conversation. Let’s start with your military background...

Jeff McDaniel: My military career was a defining factor in shaping my leadership skills and decision-making abilities...

BP: You’ve navigated multiple transitions...

JM: The biggest takeaway is that leadership is situational...

🏗️ Building OmniVerus: The Leap into Entrepreneurship

BP: What was the defining moment that made you decide to start OmniVerus General Contractors?

JM: I always wanted to start my own business... When I returned from deployment in 2020... I wouldn’t change a thing.

BP: What would you say differentiates OmniVerus?

JM: Transparency... We also prioritize veteran hiring...

📈 Scaling Challenges & The Future of OmniVerus

BP: Many startups struggle in their first three years. What were your biggest challenges?

JM: Scaling with limited cash flow has been our biggest challenge...

BP: Where do you see OmniVerus in the next five to ten years?

JM: In five years, I want to see us move away from smaller residential projects...

💼 Advice for Veterans Transitioning into Entrepreneurship

BP: What advice would you give to veterans who want to start their own businesses?

JM: Leverage veteran-specific resources... Veterans often try to do everything alone...

BP: I couldn’t agree more...

🧠 Closing Thoughts

BP: Jeff, this has been a great conversation. Thanks for sharing your insights...

JM: Thanks, Brent. If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know...

📌 Final Takeaway

Jeff McDaniel’s journey highlights the resilience, strategic leadership, and forward-thinking mindset that drive entrepreneurial success. His experience serves as a testament to the power of veteran leadership in the business world—and a reminder that adaptability and perseverance are the keys to thriving beyond the military.

Interview recorded and transcribed with permission. Podcast produced by Resilience Repurposed LLC.