Military veterans are equipped with leads and opportunities when they complete their service. Life outside of their uniform may be challenging for some, especially those seeking the entrepreneurship path. The Military Influencer Conference (MIC) wants to be a source for those who served and are serious about launching their own business. The conference will be in Atlanta, GA, this fall. The MIC has sessions on content creation, culture and advocacy, and transition & hiring. The MIC wants to give military veterans new platoon members so they are not alone on the new battlefield of entrepreneurship.
“I want them to leave with new connections, but most importantly, I want them to leave with the concept that they’re not alone. In our service journey, we are typically surrounded by a platoon, a squad, or some team representing the organizational bond that comes with service. When we step out of the uniform, in most cases, we’re found on our own. I want people to leave with a new network from MIC and constant opportunities from that network,” said Curtez Riggs, founder of the Military Influencer Conference.
Hilton Atlanta will hold the MIC from September 29 through October 3 at Signia. The conference intends to empower military-connected entrepreneurs by introducing them to various industry leaders. It will also educate attendees on innovation, advocacy, and more. Speakers like Killer Mike, Danell Rawlins, and Jon Steward will also be present.
2024 marks the seventh year of the conference. Atlanta is a special location for the MIC because of the large military community in the city. According to Riggs, Atlanta is home to 314,000 military veterans. Riggs and the team behind the MIC want to create an experience that reflects the military community’s demographic.
“I wanted a location that was not only diverse but full of industry that we didn’t have access to. Corporate companies in Atlanta, like Truist Bank, Delta, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, do not typically associate with the military-connected community,” said Riggs
Military veterans who attended previous MICs have prospered. One success story is Charlynda Scales, an Air Force veteran from Dayton, Ohio. She used her grandfather’s BBQ sauce recipe left for her to launch Mutt Sauce, her brand of BBQ sauce. After attending the MIC, she found her tribe and was able to grow.
Scales won several pitch competitions, including one with Bob Evans Farms, a food and beverage manufacturing company. The Bob Evans Farm opportunity led to Scales meeting Damon John. Scales’ journey was featured in Damon John’s book Powershift. Now, Mutt Sauce is in several stores across the Midwest, and Scales opened the 6888 Incubator Kitchen. She opened the incubator kitchen in Dayton, Ohio, to help other food and beverage industry entrepreneurs.
Riggs is working, so more success stories like Charlynda Scales are happening. The MIC founder is quite aware of how challenging it can be from structure to disruption as an entrepreneur who served in the military.
“My core needs as an individual were cared for during my time in service. As veterans, when we decide to step out into entrepreneurship, we’re stepping out into a path of uncertainty because, in many cases, we’ve had a very comfortable lifestyle. Now, we’re in a position for the first time where we must hunt and fish independently. It’s a new experience for us,” said Riggs.
A significant intention Riggs wants to achieve at MIC is helping attendees tap into the creator economy. The conference founder explains how the creator economy is a $100 billion industry, and military veterans can get into this by making impactful content. An influence session track teaches how to earn financial opportunities through content creation. Riggs knows military veterans who are vloggers, podcasters, and writers will attend the conference to learn and grow their skills.
Everyone involved with the MIC is designing this event to enrich Veterans’ experiences. Riggs and his team want to provide community and education for conference attendees.
“If you are a service member, veteran, or spouse looking to find your tribe. We have a unique opportunity for you to connect with the who-who in the military community. Most importantly, we want to expose you to opportunities and challenge your mind,” said Riggs.
