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Exploring Life & Business with Jayson Rivas of Impact Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayson Rivas.

Hi Jayson, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My wife and I were running a restaurant in Washington State when 9/11 happened. I watched those towers fall and knew I had a different calling. So I made what seemed like a crazy decision, I sold the restaurant and joined the Army at 30 years old.

Twenty-one years later, I retired as a Green Beret after multiple combat deployments. At some point during my trips overseas, photography became my creative outlet. What started as a way to document memories in foreign countries, the culture, history, as well as photos of my six kids during the brief moments I was home between deployments slowly turned into a business. My girls were gymnasts, so I started photographing sports.

When I transitioned out of the military in 2023, I went full time with photography and built two companies. JHR Photography, which focuses on Headshots and Commercial Photography. And ISO Photo XP, which is high volume sports photography for Leagues, Teams, and Athletes. Business was growing and I was getting busier without getting my life back.

That’s when AI became mainstream, and I saw an opportunity to apply the same force multiplication principles we used in Special Forces. I started using AI to streamline my photography business so I could focus on what mattered most, being present with my family and doing the creative work I loved.

What I didn’t expect was other business owners coming to me asking, “How are you doing that?”

Impact Consulting was born out of solving my own business problems and helping others solve theirs. Now I get to blend everything, my Special Forces experience, entrepreneurship, and creative work into helping other leaders build systems that actually give them their lives back.

The restaurant taught me resilience. The military taught me force multiplication. Photography taught me how to see and connect. And now I help others stop being overwhelmed by their own success by using AI tools smartly.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not even close. The hardest part isn’t the technology or even finding customers, it’s getting the people and processes right. When you first start out, you’re completely reactionary, just putting out fires all day. But as you get more reps in, you start seeing patterns, learning what actually works, and eventually building systems that prevent the fires in the first place.

Starting a business is like raising a baby, it needs 100% of your attention 110% of the time. There are plenty of bumps along the way, and the stress hits every level of your life, especially at home.

I’m blessed with a wife who has business experience herself, so she gets it. She’s supported me through my entire military career and now this entrepreneurial journey. But being a business owner creates stress that doesn’t stay at the office. It follows you home, affects your family time, and can consume your thoughts if you don’t have boundaries.

The reality is, I’d rather have the challenge of figuring out how to handle more work than sitting around with nothing coming in. But smooth? No. It’s been about building systems, processes, and boundaries that let you grow without losing what matters most.

We’ve been impressed with Impact Consulting, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I believe owning your own business is the ultimate freedom in America, and I love helping people succeed in that mission. When small business owners and entrepreneurs thrive, it creates a ripple effect that impacts entire communities. That’s the real goal.

I’ve built what I call an ecosystem of businesses, all operating on the same principles Special Forces teams use. We work by, with, and alongside people to make them as successful as possible, which makes their communities successful too.

My photography businesses support local imaging, marketing, and youth athletics. Impact Studio serves as a brick-and-mortar hub for creatives to work and grow. Impact Consulting, which has become my main focus, works directly with founders and organizations to leverage AI tools and become more efficient and profitable.

What sets us apart is our approach: Train, Advise, and Assist. We’re in the trenches with you, applying what worked on SF teams to today’s changing business environment. We’re known for seeing opportunities and uncovering blind spots because we apply the same skills used in high-stakes combat environments to business challenges. We were trained to do more with less, so our goal is always economy of resources that produce high-leverage results.

Here’s what people need to know: we meet them where they are, because we’ve been there. Whether you’re trying to navigate the AI shift and need strategic advice, want to get your team up to speed through training, or need assistance with implementation, we can help. Change is never easy, and having a guide to break down complex issues into manageable solutions is critical.

What I’m most proud of is that this isn’t theoretical consulting. I’m a business owner who has learned a few things and is figuring it out along the way. I’ve been able grow multiple companies without burning out my family relationships. Everything I teach, I’ve tested in my own businesses first. We help business owners who are drowning in the responsibilities and tasks of running a business get their lives back while growing their impact.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson is to never lose sight of the mission. I believe we’re all called with a purpose for our families and communities, and we should use the talents God has blessed us with to fulfill that calling.
When things get tough, and they do, I’ve wanted to quit more times than I can count. In those moments, I have to remember there’s a bigger goal beyond just making money or growing a business. Keeping that focus and reminding myself regularly is critical.
What keeps things on track is deliberately making room for what matters most. Time off, trips with my wife, moments with my family. I’ve had to learn this lesson multiple times because it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget why you started in the first place.
The mission isn’t just about business success. It’s about using whatever platform or influence you build to make a positive impact on the people and communities around you. That’s what gets me through the hard days.

Pricing:

  • AI readiness assessments are free – just jump on a 15 minute call and we’ll get you started.
  • Headshots start at $199

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