From Green Beret to Business Battlefield: How Eric Brown’s Military Experience Shapes Modern Leadership

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, few leaders bring the depth of experience and unique perspective that Eric Brown offers. As a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Army Special Forces and founder of Imperio Consulting, Brown’s journey from navigating complex military missions across 27 countries to revolutionizing corporate leadership training exemplifies the power of adaptive thinking and purpose-driven leadership. His approach to transforming organizational dynamics through military-inspired strategies has caught the attention of businesses nationwide.

In an exclusive interview with Entrepreneur Loop, Brown shares his remarkable journey, insights, and the philosophy behind Imperio Consulting’s success.

What captivated us most during the interview was Brown’s methodology, deeply rooted in real-world experience rather than theoretical frameworks. By emphasizing trust-building, adaptability, and collaborative problem-solving – skills honed in combat zones – he has created a unique model that resonates with businesses facing modern challenges. His approach has proven particularly valuable in an era where traditional leadership paradigms are being constantly tested by rapid change and uncertainty.

1. Please provide a brief introduction of yourself and your professional background.

I’m Eric Brown, founder of Imperio Consulting. I served 25 years in the U.S. Army, primarily in Special Forces as a Green Beret. My service took me to 27 countries, where I honed skills in trust-building, leadership, and solving complex problems under pressure. After retiring, I launched Imperio Consulting to help business leaders and teams navigate challenges and achieve peak performance.

2. Please tell us more about your startup: What does it offer, what problem does it solve, and who is your target audience?

Imperio Consulting helps companies navigate change by refining processes, shaping leaders, and building strong teams. We offer executive coaching and security assessments, anchored in our “Green Beret Approach,” which emphasizes simplicity, adaptability, and collaboration. Our primary clients are small to mid-size enterprises, and we operate with the motto, “Show me, don’t tell me,” delivering results through action, not theory.

3. What inspired you to start your own business? What was the “aha” moment?

My “aha” moment came when I realized that many companies face issues similar to those I encountered in the military, such as poor communication and lack of trust. Witnessing the impact of strong teamwork in combat zones convinced me these principles could transform corporate settings. I saw an opportunity to fill a gap in hands-on coaching focused on action, inspiring me to launch Imperio Consulting.

4. What were some of the biggest initial challenges in getting your business started? How did you overcome them?

One major challenge was proving that military leadership lessons could translate to civilian workplaces. To overcome this, I shared real-world stories and conducted pilot programs where executives trained directly with Special Operators. When clients saw quick wins like improved communication and stronger trust, word spread, and more businesses embraced our Green Beret mindset.

5. How did you identify a gap in the market or need that your business fulfills?

I noticed a lack of training programs that were practical and action-oriented. In Special Forces, we learned by doing, so I developed an approach pairing clients with a Special Operator for hands-on training. Businesses were searching for solutions to high turnover, weak morale, and conflict resolution, and Imperio’s focus on trust-building and personal growth filled that need.

6. What has been your approach to funding your startup? Did you use your savings, seek investors, or crowdfund?

I used a lean funding model. I relied on personal savings, kept overhead low, and reinvested profits from real estate into the business. This allowed us to grow without external pressure. In 2024, we secured our first investor to help scale operations while staying true to our mission.

7. How did you build your team and attract talent in the early days?

I focused on individuals who shared values like service, trust, and resilience. Many were peers from the Special Forces community who understood high-stakes environments and had a passion for guiding others. Word of mouth eventually attracted experts from other fields who believed in our “work side by side” leadership development model.

8. What have been some of the most challenging decisions you’ve had to make as a founder? Does any stand out as pivotal?

Turning down clients who didn’t align with our values was tough. Early on, I declined a lucrative contract that conflicted with our mission of putting people first. This decision preserved our identity and built long-term trust with clients. Another pivotal choice was prioritizing my mental and physical health, as well as encouraging my team to do the same. Without balance, both work and leadership suffer.

Additional Insights:

Don’t forget your family: My biggest lesson from the military is recognizing the support of loved ones. I owe much of my success to my family, especially during deployments.

Live the mission: In Special Forces, we say, “Show me, don’t tell me.” At Imperio, we embody this by standing alongside clients and leading through action.

Seek help when you need it: I’m open about the mental challenges I’ve faced and encourage leaders to seek help when necessary. At Imperio, we emphasize supporting one another both professionally and personally.

Closing Notes:

We can all amount to something if we remain patient, persistent, and commit ourselves to a purpose in life.” This belief, shaped by my military service and entrepreneurial journey, is the foundation of everything we do at Imperio Consulting. I am deeply dedicated to our mission and strive to instill this commitment in every aspect of our work.