{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"201 - Mike Sherbakov - From the Marines to The Veteran Fund","description":"In this episode of the Mission Oriented Podcast, host Bob Louthan sits down with Mike Sherbakov \u2014 Marine veteran, venture capitalist, and Managing Partner of The Veteran Fund \u2014 to explore how service, gratitude, and purpose can shape the next generation of veteran entrepreneurs. Born in Russia, Mike immigrated to the United States at the age of five, watching his parents rebuild their lives from the ground up. That journey instilled in him both humility and drive \u2014 lessons that would later guide his military service and entrepreneurial career. After 9\/11, an 18-year-old Mike felt called to serve, enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps and spending five years on active duty in San Diego. Following his service, Mike discovered his passion for entrepreneurship \u2014 building HMS Fitness, a franchise business inspired by his Marine Corps training, and later founding Karuna Towels, a social venture that merged profit with purpose. His ventures taught him not just how to build companies, but how to build communities. Now, as Managing Partner of The Veteran Fund, Mike invests in founders who share that same mission-driven mindset. His work through Founder Institute\u2019s Veteran Cohort and Bunker Labs helps bridge the gap between veterans and venture capital \u2014 empowering leaders who combine discipline, resilience, and innovation. Throughout the episode, Mike reflects on finding alignment through Ikigai \u2014 the Japanese philosophy of purpose \u2014 and his daily reminder to \u201cStop. Breathe. Be grateful.\u201d at 11:11. This conversation is a powerful blend of entrepreneurship, gratitude, and the belief that veterans are uniquely equipped to lead America\u2019s next wave of innovation. \ud83c\udf99\ufe0f Listen now to Episode 201 of the Mission Oriented Podcast \u2014 available on YouTube and all major streaming platforms. ","author_name":"Mission Oriented","author_url":"https:\/\/veterancrowdnetwork.com","html":"