What does it take to build a successful business while serving in the Australian Navy?
In Episode 85 of The Grey Man Podcast, Matt Jacques shares his journey from joining the Royal Australian Navy as a young chef to building businesses, leading teams and creating opportunities beyond the uniform.
Matt reflects on his military career, experiences at sea, the importance of sport and mateship within Defence, and how his involvement in Navy football helped him build relationships and create opportunities.
We also get into the realities of military-to-civilian transition, veteran entrepreneurship, business ownership and the discipline required to succeed in both worlds. Matt shares lessons on building a business from the ground up, staying consistent when results take time, finding good mentors and using technology and AI to work smarter.
He also discusses his work supporting others through business coaching and his vision to help veterans explore new opportunities after military service.
An honest conversation about hard work, leadership, entrepreneurship and making the most of life beyond the uniform.
In this episode: • Becoming a Navy chef and life on patrol boats • Navy football, ADF tours and the Navy Football Immortal honour • Moonlighting in security and turning it into a business • Going from 12 million to nearly 30 million revenue with a business coaching group • Hiring and supporting veterans • Leading as a middle manager without the authority • Why Matt rewrote his team’s values and ditched the traditional watch system • Navy galleys, food, morale and military budgets • Payroll tax and the realities of running a business in Australia • The moment he realised his values no longer aligned with Defence • Leaving full-time service, reserve life and finding a new purpose • Building with AI and vibe coding to replace expensive software • Frontline Horizon, a “Uber for coaches” idea • Matt’s 30-second framework for tough conversations