#281: Becoming a Commercial Printing Entrepreneur through Acquisition with Rich Vaill, USNA ‘88

Service Academy Business Mastermind

Hey team! Before we dive in, I've got some exciting announcements:

1) Join us on August 8th NJ for an exclusive Advanced Real Estate Investing Workshop & Networking Event at the prestigious Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, NJ. This premier event is crafted to elevate your real estate investing skills with institutional-level analysis. Whether you're a private investor, a commercial real estate operator, or work in the commercial real estate industry, this is your chance to expand your network and learn from the best. Space is limited, so don’t miss out! Register here: https://www.10xvets.com/advanced-real-estate-workshop

2) On October 1st we're heading to Charleston, SC for an incredible retreat. We'll kick off with a business mastermind session at the Harbour Club in downtown Charleston. Later, we'll set sail on a harbor cruise and enjoy a fantastic dinner together. On October 2nd, get ready for an exciting inshore fishing tournament with a fleet of fishing boats. It's going to be an unforgettable experience and an opportunity to surround yourself with like-minded successful veterans who are pushing each other to greatness. Register here: https://www.10xvets.com/charleston-event

To learn more and register for these events, visit 10xvets.com/events. Hope to see you there!

Today's Podcast:

“[As veterans], we’re adept at creating order from chaos. I think that lends itself well to being an entrepreneur. You’re able to step back, assess the situation, and try to create some order around what is happening.” -Rich Vaill, USNA ‘88

Rich Vaill is the President of Custom Marketing Solutions LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and vertically integrated print marketing agency specializing in offset print, digital print, large format projects, and promotional products. Rich and his team run a nimble shop that can handle large-scale projects based on each client’s needs. After 20 years in the financial sector, Rich transitioned into entrepreneurship by acquiring Custom Marketing Solutions LLC in 2023. He is a 1988 United States Naval Academy graduate and a Marine Corps veteran.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Rich’s transition from finance to entrepreneurship
• Key pieces of advice Rich would give to someone who wants to buy a business
• The printing services offered by Custom Marketing Solutions LLC
• How the skills from Rich’s time in the Marine Corps have translated to owning a business and leading his team
• The goals Rich has for the rest of the year and the biggest challenges he is facing as he establishes himself in his new role

Major career transitions are not easy, and Rich made a big leap from the financial sector to becoming an entrepreneur through acquisition. His two key pieces of advice for others who are buying a business? Ask a lot of questions and make sure you have the right trusted advisors around you. Acquiring a business takes time and there are many steps to go through, but when you have a knowledgeable team supporting you, it makes for a smooth process. We enjoyed discussing entrepreneurship, leadership, and best practices as a business owner with Rich and are excited to see him succeed with his new company, Custom Marketing Solutions LLC. Thank you, Rich!

Connect with Rich:

• LinkedIn
• Custom Marketing Solutions LLC
• [e-mail]

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Special thanks to Rich for joining me this week. Until next time!

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Thank you for listening to today’s podcast. Enjoy the rest of your day and remember to dream big and take bold action!