Pathway for veterans, ADF members, and their spouses to develop entrepreneurial skills and realise the benefits of self-employment and business ownership.
The Australian Veteran Community
80,000
by the ADF
200
within the ADF
6,000
the ADF yearly
35,000+
businesses across Australia
550,000
(2021 Australian
Government Census)
Benefits of Veteran Community Small Business
As a not-for-profit health promotion charity, Frontline Labs understands that veterans are at a higher risk of many health and social issues compared to the civilian population, particularly in terms of homelessness, substance abuse, and suicide.
Queensland University study (De Klerk, 2022) found that some of the difficulties experienced by veterans transitioning to civilian life were overcome by combining their “existing technical, teamwork, personal, and management skills with new learning in marketing, sales, and accounting.”
Our defence community have many essential and learned skills – everything from science, languages and mathematics, to architecture, photography and art. After transitioning to civilian life, this knowledge and experience can be directed into solving social and community problems through robust business solutions.
The benefits of veteran self-employment extend to their positive mental health, with autonomy and flexibility to manage their own wellbeing, and achieve a renewed sense of satisfaction.
Through business education and mentoring programs, Frontline Labs support the veteran community to reconnect with purpose and passion – leading to a more stable transition and healthier long-term results.
Additionally, we have a real opportunity to change the narrative – the more we celebrate veteran success, the more recognised and valued our defence community become as civilians.
As a veteran, your military experience gives you more expertise and tenacity than you might recognise.
As a veteran-spouse, you’re a more versatile and skilled problem solver than you may realise.
Meet the Team
Mark Leatham | CEO
Frontline Labs is vision-led by the highly decorated former RAAF officer, Mark Leatham.
Over 28 years of service, Mark worked on operational assignments across the Middle East, on exchange with USAF HQ at the Pentagon, and in Southeast Asia supporting ADF and multilateral exercises. As a RAAF Reservist for a further 12 years, he was Director for ADF Adaptive Sports Program and Manager of Team Australia at the US DoD Warrior Games.
Additionally, Mark has worked extensively in the corporate sector as a National Sales Account Executive for Toll Group, Fujitsu, and Accenture. He then spent a year with Fortem Australia, a NFP charity supporting first responders and their families as they transition from service, before joining Frontline Labs in 2023.
Artemiss Keyhani | Marketing & Events Coordinator
Artemiss has considerable experience with small business, private corporations, and government departments, across a variety of marketing, communication, and client management roles. Importantly, as a solopreneur Personal Development coach for the past 8 years, she understands the highs and lows of the entrepreneurial path.
Together, Mark and Artemiss are committed to the Frontline Labs mission to deliver outstanding business training of the highest quality at the lowest price to the veteran community. We support them to find new identity and purpose, while growing the veteran business economy.
Frontline Labs acknowledges
Campsie RSL Group
as founder of our program
and principal sponsor.
