#96 Everyone's Goal is Happiness - Michael Shenker, Shenker Consulting LLC

As an 18-year old self-described “spoiled brat”, Michael Shenker wanted to leave home and his way out was to join the Army. He decided if he could join the military service, get the experience of learning about the world and get out without losing any serious body parts, he would be a stronger person. And it worked. In the Army, he went to basic in Fort Lewis and then tried his hand in electronics school, which was a mistake. Subsequently, he went to the tank organization in Fort Knox, Kentucky where he had THE experience of his young life. While looking through the sites of a 90mm cannon, the realization of killing a person hit him – hard. He got out of the tank, ran into the woods cried his eyes out. With this realization deep in his psyche, Michael went to his CO and laid out the situation. Michael was sent to specialists, including a psychiatrist who became Michael’s friend. And that was really important because here’s the timeframe: It was Vietnam and wartime; Michael would be sent to prison for his “confession”. The psychiatrist wanted to help Michael stay out of there and managed to get Michael shipped to Korea. He instructed Michael to find the highest ranking officer there, get in front of him, make eye contact and tell him the story. That incident would determine Michael’s fate. Michael convinced the officer he had a lot to offer with his intelligence but he just could not kill another person. It worked. Michael went on to work in supply, became a staff sergeant and was eventually discharged honorably. Now on to civilian life, taking the resilience he learned working in the Army structure and applying it to the outside world. Although he did not have an idea where he would go on discharge, Michael became a star in real estate information in the San Fernando Valley, California and got him a big job offer. He asked if, instead of a job, he could be hired as a consultant, even though he had no idea what a consultant did! But he dug in, became a marketing guru and his career blossomed. He really liked putting on workshops and helping people grow their sales and marketing skills. Now, through his books and practice, he helps people, especially veterans, achieve their personal goals and happiness. Veteran Founder Podcast with your hosts Josh Carter and Cynthia Kao We record the Veteran Founder Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland. Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main Website was designed by Cameron Grimes Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster Theme music: Artist: Tipsy Track: Kadonka Album: Buzzz Courtesy of Ipecac Records 10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes