SSG Daniel Alarik here, CEO of Grunt Style, coming by for a Q&A on 6/6. What questions do you have for me?

SSG Daniel Alarik — Tue, 30 May 2017 11:54:23 -0400

*This Discussion is Monitored by RP Staff*

After leaving active duty, SSG Alarik started GruntStyle.com, with only $1,200 in his pocket. Today Grunt Style is one of the fastest growing apparel companies on the web. In 2015, Daniel founded Alpha Outpost, a box subscription club, that grew from nothing to over $8 Million in revenue in it's first 6 months.

Today, Daniel serves as CEO of both companies, employing over 200 people - half of which are military veterans!

Post your questions below, and visit http://www.GruntStyle.com

Grunt Style LLC

To us, what you wear is more than just a necessity to be clothed. It's about attitude! We have taken the American fighting spirit and instilled it in everything we do. You don't have to be a Veteran to wear Grunt Style, but you do have to love Freedom, Bacon and Whiskey. We provide more than apparel, we instill pride. PRIDE IN SELF, IN MILITARY, AND IN COUNTRY. With nearly 200 US Veterans

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made May 30 at 2017 12:03 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 30 May 2017 12:03:56 -0400

Obviously the brand is strong within military and veteran circles, but I have been seeing its profile raised outside of those target markets. Is this organic growth do you think or is this the result of a marketing strategy to broaden your appeal?
Thanks.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Jun 1 at 2017 12:54 PM

SGT Patrick Reno — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 12:54:20 -0400

Love your stuff. Your shirts are great, I have a couple of them. Got a kid here at work that wears one of your shirts. I know he was never in the military and it bugs me to see him wear it. Don't know why but it just does.

Response by SP5 Brian Oravetz made Jun 2 at 2017 11:45 AM

SP5 Brian Oravetz — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 11:45:51 -0400

2 time tech start up vet here, and have been privileged to get other vets on board; and they have been great. But some, cannot get out of their own way behavioural wise. The discipline and work ethic are serving to none, but some guys cannot avoid self sabotage. Have you encountered that? What have you done to help them get past that?

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Jun 3 at 2017 11:21 AM

SSG Pete Fleming — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 11:21:12 -0400

Even if someone has a great idea without financial and personal support they won't be able to get the idea off the ground. What would you recommend for anyone who has a desire (and ability) but lacks the support?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 3 at 2017 1:12 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 13:12:40 -0400

Do you give preference to veterans if they are qualified, say over a civilian?

Response by LT John Chang made Jun 3 at 2017 5:22 PM

LT John Chang — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 17:22:13 -0400

What was your biggest challenge in starting GruntStyle, and of course, how did you overcome that?

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 4 at 2017 7:57 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 07:57:20 -0400

SSG Daniel Alarik What do you find to be your biggest challenges on a daily basis as the CEO of both companies?

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 4 at 2017 8:05 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 08:05:16 -0400

RALLYPOINT CONTINUES TO BRING THE VERY BEST IN HONORED GUEST TO ITS MEMBERS!

RP MEMBERS AND CONNECTIONS - PLEASE JOIN IN ON THE RALLYPOINT LIVE Q&A WITH SSG Daniel Alarik, CEO OF GRUNT STYLE ON JUNE 6, 2017.

WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ASK THE REALLY GOOD QUESTIONS ABOUT BUSINESS STARTUPS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, LEADERSHIP, AND MUCH MORE.

PLEASE POST YOUR QUESTIONS HERE TODAY:
https://www.rallypoint.com/topics/q-a/answers/ssg-daniel-alarik-here-ceo-of-grunt-style-coming-by-for-a-q-a-on-6-6-what-questions-do-you-have-for-me

THE RALLYPOINT FORUM CONTINUES TO PROVIDE THESE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL OF OUR VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS, RETIREES, CIVILIAN RECRUITERS, CIVILIAN SUPPORTERS, AND MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS TO REACH OUT & ASK QUESTIONS TO FORMER SERVICE MEMBERS AND LEADERS OF OUR COUNTRY.

YOUR GREAT PARTICIPATION IS WELCOME, APPRECIATED, AND NEEDED TO KEEP THIS TYPE OF FORUM MOVING FORWARD.

THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

SSG Daniel Alarik here, CEO of Grunt Style, coming by for a Q&A on 6/6. What questions do you...

*This Discussion is Monitored by RP Staff* After leaving active duty, SSG Alarik started GruntStyle.com, with only $1,200 in his pocket. Today Grunt Style is one of the fastest growing apparel companies on the web. In 2015, Daniel founded Alpha Outpost, a box subscription club, that grew from nothing to over $8 Million in revenue in it's first 6 months. Today, Daniel serves as CEO of both companies, employing over 200 people - half of which...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 4 at 2017 8:17 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 08:17:51 -0400

I realize that for some reason Grunt has become popular as a name and title. I wish you well in your endeavors to succeed in the apparel industry SSG Daniel Alarik.
Background: Since I have long been interested in military history I remember that GRUNT stood for Ground Replacement Usually Not Trained in WWII. As an infantryman, I never wanted to be known as a grunt.
What criteria would you recommend for entrepreneurs who are considering hiring veterans to sort the wheat from the chaff to benefit the company and the veterans?
Thanks for mentioning me COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Response by SFC Floyd Burks made Jun 4 at 2017 9:19 AM

SFC Floyd Burks — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 09:19:09 -0400

How do I upload a picture?

Response by MAJ Karen Wall made Jun 4 at 2017 9:39 AM

MAJ Karen Wall — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 09:39:28 -0400

Thanks, MIke! I think I saw something the other day with the GruntStyle label on it.

Response by MAJ Alan Reiter made Jun 4 at 2017 10:14 AM

MAJ Alan Reiter — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 10:14:52 -0400

Thanks for the post. I read S/SGT Daniel Alarik's yesterday.

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Jun 4 at 2017 10:41 AM

SGT John " Mac " McConnell — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 10:41:18 -0400

SSG Daniel Alarik Do you have any outside vendors for your Grunt style apparel line ? I know this might be something of interest for some.... Thanks.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jun 4 at 2017 2:01 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 14:01:46 -0400

Thanks for jumping on with us SSG Daniel Alarik. Big fan of Grunt Style and Alpha Outpost. What was the biggest challenge you faced going from Army Drill SGT to founding your own company?

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2017 2:17 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 14:17:15 -0400

Great idea, Sarge !!! HOORRAH !!! Much success to you !!!

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jun 4 at 2017 4:32 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 16:32:18 -0400

Just wanted to say Congratulations, SSG, great to see an Infantryman choose starting a small business. So many choose the ubiquitous security guard or police officer position after ETS (which is also OK if that is something they really want to do). Hope you have continued success in your chosen field......Good Luck!

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jun 5 at 2017 1:15 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 13:15:00 -0400

SSG Daniel Alarik:
GREAT GOING, STAFF SERGEANT!! A BIG HUGE SHOUT OUT, A BIG HUGE HOOAH and PLENTY of KUDOS ARE WHAT I AM SENDING YOUR WAY!!
-Most Sincerely, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army (Ret.): Coach/Photographer

Response by MSG Mark Million made Jun 5 at 2017 2:16 PM

MSG Mark Million — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 14:16:46 -0400

Inspiring story and an awesome example of how we in the military community can continue benefit ourselves and the military community at the same time.

Response by PO3 Robin Thacker (FMF) made Jun 5 at 2017 7:31 PM

PO3 Robin Thacker (FMF) — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 19:31:26 -0400

Hi ! SSG Daniel Alarik I respect you (and I wish we were on the same team). I presume you have been through some peaks and valleys on your journey. Many look for the $1M mark to validate a good business model. You have pushed beyond that mark 8x or more.
Start now & chip away at it every day is my bottom line mantra. There is no plan B. Just keep chipping away and be an agent of progress. Nobody else will do it for you.
**What was your "Ah-Ha moment" when the light went on and you knew you were headed in the right direction?**

Response by Sgt Albert Castro made Jun 6 at 2017 12:54 PM

Sgt Albert Castro — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 12:54:32 -0400

SSG Daniel Alarik thank you for coming on the RP site. I think your on to something. Best luck going forward. God Bless your endeavors.
Ooha!

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jun 6 at 2017 2:35 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 14:35:30 -0400

Hi SSG,

Thanks for your time. What motivated you to become an entrepreneur or did it just happen? Also what inspired you to start GruntStyle?

Response by Sgt Eric Mitchell made Jun 6 at 2017 3:13 PM

Sgt Eric Mitchell — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 15:13:07 -0400

What's your advice to new veteran entrepreneurs that want to hit the ground running but lack the experience?

Response by Sgt Eric Mitchell made Jun 6 at 2017 3:14 PM

Sgt Eric Mitchell — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 15:14:09 -0400

What are your thoughts on Mentoring? Do you do it and how much time do you spend a month mentoring folks SSG Daniel Alarik

Response by Sgt Eric Mitchell made Jun 6 at 2017 3:22 PM

Sgt Eric Mitchell — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 15:22:21 -0400

What's next for you and the team at Gruntstyle? What's this GruntFit App I keep seeing all over social media?

Response by SP5 Robert Ruck made Jun 6 at 2017 3:49 PM

SP5 Robert Ruck — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 15:49:25 -0400

This is entrepreneurship at it's finest. Congratulations on the success of your company.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2017 4:46 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 16:46:34 -0400

I learn a lot from seeing, and I feel as if I've been studying your work. Listening to your presentations and reading article after article. I believe it is fair to say that you're a long distance planner, who executes and fixes problems while moving to contact. So after the App, what's next?