#191: How Army/Navy Pranks Sharpen Business Strategies with Mike Nemeth, USMA ‘04

Service Academy Business Mastermind

“Abandon the fantasy of, hey, I’m going to get to this level and have everything figured out. That’s a dangerous mindset to have because you should always be trying to get better and learn more and keep pushing yourself...don’t have the grass is greener mentality. The comparison game will kill you. It’s always a grind and I have utmost patience and respect for anybody putting themselves out there and trying to build something. It’s not easy and it takes support and it takes a whole team of people (peers, team members, family).”

- Mike Nemeth (USMA ‘04)

Mike Nemeth (USMA ’04) is an SABM podcast regular, best known across the Service Academy community for his hilarious pranks that capture the spirit of the Army/Navy rivalry. We’re excited to talk with him again this year during Army/Navy week. In addition to his role as the community prankster, Mike is also a very successful entrepreneur who has built Emblem Athletic, a very successful apparel business from the ground up.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Mike made it onto the INC 5000 list in 2021
• What led to Emblem Athletic’s 1400% growth rate
• Why it’s important to define your sales cycle
• Mike’s latest Army/Navy pranks

Mike also shares how Emblem Athletic’s data-driven decision to focus on military fire and police helped him expand the business and survive the pandemic. We loved hearing about his first job out of the military as a door-to-door insurance salesman in New York City and how this experience is helping him now. Mike also talks about how his company is handling supply chain issues and why word-of-mouth referrals shouldn’t be underestimated. Last, but definitely not least, Mike shares stories of his favorite Army/Navy pranks, including what he has up his sleeve for this year.

Connect with Mike:

• LinkedIn
• Emblem Athletic
• Mike’s book - Discipline: The Annapolis Way
• Mike’s candle - Navy Tears of Sadness

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today.

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

-Scott Mackes, USNA ’01