We recently connected with David Sledge and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, David thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

After a 33-year career in the U.S. Navy, I decided to retire last year and settle with my family here in California. Throughout my career, I always placed a high priority on professionalism, technical expertise, setting goals, and challenging my Sailors and myself to be the best at whatever assignment the Navy had for us.
As I was approaching retirement, I wanted to find a way to transition into being a civilian that was seamless and that allowed me to continue my passion for motivating, leading, and training professionals.
That’s how the Sledge Leadership Group was born.
Every organization and business needs positive, skilled, and technically-sound leaders and I felt that my experience in the Navy would allow me to help those companies and employees achieve that goal.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My professional career began at sea on Navy ships learning how to be a Sailor. I grew up at sea. After a few years of being an apprentice, I was selected to be a Gunner’s Mate, which is the Navy’s experts on guns and missile systems and their maintenance and upkeep. My job was to maintain weapons and weapon systems needed to protect Navy personnel, ships, and bases.
That career helped me to develop into a technician and leader. Being responsible for the people and the weapons designed to keep us all safe forced me to grow up quickly and have a real respect and appreciation for technical expertise.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I’ve always been a sought out mentor and friend. Every duty assignment I ever had allowed me to be the “go to” Sailor for help or advice. I’m big into sports and I have a mission or team first approach to organizations and business. I try to figure out what contributions I can make to make the team better and go out of my way to help.
I’m also a people person. I really enjoy being around new people and learning from them. Whenever I’m out, I always talk to people about my business and try to figure out if there are opportunities for me to work with them in what they’re working on.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

My large personal and professional network has given me a great start in business. I served all over the world in the Navy with thousands of Sailors that have become lifelong friends and business associates. I also belong to the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. With thousands of members worldwide, I am able to reach out to members and chapters from all over a number of countries to introduce new products and speaking engagements.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://greetonemeetoneteachonellc.myshopify.com/
• Instagram: greet_one_meet_one_teach_one
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/david-sledge-613679135

Image Credits
I took this picture