Comments on the Military and Business Ownership
We asked veteran owned businesses listed in VeteranOwnedBusiness.com to tell us how their time in the military helped them succeed as business owners. Below are some of their answers.
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“Logistics management, organizational skills, operations. ”
Martin Bishop - Evac One
“Leadership, Focus, Attention-to-Detail, Perseverance, Character, Empathy, Passion and Commitment.”
William Faucett - Flagship Logistics, LLC
“It has helped me keep deadlines, be well organized.”
Dawn White - White's Cleanit
“The military taught me leadership, management, and people skills.”
Thomas Krick - Homeland Property Inspections
“It gave me a chance to have HUGE responsibility at a very early age. I was in charge of some very high profile programs. This experience propelled me into having the skills needed for entrepreneurship!”
Jeffrey Luckado - IMPACT Homebuyers Group, Corp
“Taught me discipline, attention to detail, working with and directing a team.”
Rick Stricker - WebSlingers Web Development
“We’re trained to do our jobs and react to certain situations just the way civilian employees are. But we also have leeway to use our intelligence and awareness to respond to new situations and come up with new ways of doing things. We work in teams, so as problems come up, we solve them collectively and understanding the company’s mission and looking to my employees for insights are all skills I learned while in service.”
Kelen Prutow - U.S. Integrators dba Frontline Protection
“Learned discipline, determination and perseverance.”
Hal Decker - Doctor Greens
“The Army Infantry taught me humility, honest, and confidence. How to train and deal with people. Most importantly, your word is your bond.”
Scott Kersjes - Innovative Facilities Solutions, Inc.
“The military taught me primarily to listen and learn, understand diversity, and work with everyone. Using my planning skills, multi-tasking experience, and level of understanding of people and industry, I have worked to develop processes and innovative techniques to improve not only a business, but the employees and atmosphere. The Military taught me that - everyone has a great idea - it just takes the right time and the right person to hear it and how to focus on it!”
Ron Craw - Improvement Innovations LLC
“Persistence and Organization!”
James Terhune - T&T Materials Inc.
“The military taught me structure, discipline, work ethic and teamwork. It helped show me that hard work can pay off. That by not quitting you can reach the goals that you set.”
Steven Matthews - RisingStar Entertainment
“Military training and discipline coupled with hard work, long hours and camaraderie were influential in building fortitude, preparedness and can-do attitudes in me for life after the military. Seeing so many countries and what people live like in other parts of the world gave me an immense appreciation for what we have had here in America like no other experience could have. Being thankful for our freedoms by knowing the cost involved from our veterans and founding fathers is invaluable.”
Marty DiGiacomo - True Blue Transportation
“Organizational and leadership skills.”
James Abbott - Satcom Scientific, Inc.
“Higher work standards, better people skills, higher quality product efficiency!”
Roger Newcomer - Dick's Speed-O-Tach, Inc.
“Made me a more dynamic, honest and determined individual!”
Jake Haap - Orion Home Inspections
“On active and reserve duty I obtained the position of Sr. Drill which allowed me Leadership and Management opportunities along with discipline and respect of others. This is the best Country in the world as I have been to several other countries during my 27 years in the Military. I believe our elders and military veterans should have the opportunity to have the best value of the services offered them. I have continually maintained a high level of schooling, education and knowledge in my field.”
Samuel Pozdol - Peete's Electric Company
“Military service has prepared me to be a better business owner; by being organized, to be able to listen to my customers and meeting their needs. Not to be afraid to fail, and if I do, not to stop until I get it right!”
Charles Reynolds - OR Communications
“Discipline in decision making during adverse situations by far leads the list. Leadership was always taught and practiced everyday as it is in the business world. No one never needed to tell a group of gathered people that they were in the militia.”
John Raddatz - Tri City Tool & Die, Inc.
“Being a Marine & D. I. speaks for it's self - There is only one way to do it and "That's The Right Way". ~ They call me {The Box Doctor} and I have 46 years experience Semper Fi”
Roger Maxson - Maxson Container Consultants
“I learned the discipline I needed to keep going even when things got tough. I also learned perseverance, loyalty, and willingness to see a job all the way from the initial phase to completion and I thank the armed services for this.”
Olin Granthum - Nilo Construction
“My time as an active duty Marine gave me the discipline and sense of accountability that has helped me become not only a better business person but a better individual. Take pride in everything you do whether it's at home or on the job.”
Chris Finck - Waddell & Reed
“In so many ways. Discipline, integrity, long hours, able to use the skills I learned in the Army to establish policies and procedures for my company.”
Alisa Clark - Glory Professional Cleaning Services
“Personal relations and discipline.”
Henry Canup - Henry Canup's Metal Polishing
“Taught me planning.”
Peter Peno - The Hitch Man, Inc
“The twenty-one years of varied assignments and responsibilities inherent with the positions provided the leadership and know-how to become a small business owner.”
Gary Pitchford - Veteran Hire Pursuit, LLC
“Leadership training and concept of personal Duty and Honor.”
Mark Preson - Operations and Engineering
“The army gave me the discipline and determination to go beyond boundaries to achieve succeed. The military gave me the opportunity to see the world and the needs of our industry that are global. The demand for quality and longevity in our products and the internal frame work of our company and most of all the pride in providing American made products.”
HE Dan Bunch - Odorite International Inc.
“Taught me organization and preparation.”
William R. Whitteker - Pansermesh Inc.
“Taught me discipline, respect, utilization of manpower and love of our great country.”
Elmer & Debbieanne Miller - Creekstead Development Services, LLC
“Taught discipline, honesty, character, loyalty which we implement in our business everyday. Taught how to honor your country and to be responsible for your own actions. Made us proud to be an American and that to serve in the military is an honor.”
Gilbert Sentell - Sentell Engineering, Inc.
“26 years experience of flying, maintaining, and support Air Force Weapon Systems.”
Don Needham - LogSpec
“Positive, can do attitude where failure is not an option as well as leadership qualities which helped motivate and support my employees.”
David Fisher - Military Supply Coins
“I am always on time and I do what I say.”
Sam Emmerling - Sam Emmerling Company
“Procedures and systems.”
Ron Glazer - Ron Glazer
“Organizational Skills - Paying attention to details!”
Jay Giese - American Pride Industrial Equipment and Services LLC
“First the military service allowed me to participate in the GI Bill which paid for my Masters Degree in Business. Second it instilled in me a sense of integrity and honesty with is often missing in business. Third it taught me to focus on clients.”
Paul Harar - Maximum Blends
“I am better able to run my small business due to my formal Army training in leadership and through the personal leadership experiences that progressively grew over 26-years, from managing small one to two man teams to large multi-level organizations.”
Byron Barron - CertaPro Painters of Northeast Georgia
“To be disciplined, focused and detail oriented.”
Jim Sabatello - Inland Flooring Contractors, Inc.
“Discipline, Discipline, Discipline!”
Lindy Scarborough - Magictainment
“To better understand and appreciate the freedom that we have in the United States Of America. The discipline that the U.S. Army instilled in me was outstanding. Teamwork was the next item that I have been able to use every day in my life.”
Ernie Ratcliffe - Nu Skin Enterprises Rep - Ernie Ratcliffe
“Responsibility and honor.”
Joseph Gleason - J Gleason Consulting
“As a cook in the Seabees (NMCB-40) I grew to love the job & continued to cook after getting out of the military. This led me to start an ice cream parlor during the 1980's waffle cone craze & become inventor of the original flavored cookie cone.”
Eric Nielsen - My Go To Guy Products
“The military's ability to create professionals, good work ethic, discipline and can do attitude has definitely helped me with my business.”
Michael Rock - Rocktek
“First and foremost, the Navy taught me electrical. I work until the job is finished. Confidence, knowledge and integrity were expected of me while serving and now those characteristics are provided for my clients.”
Steven Barrow - Sun Electrical & Renovations, LLC
“Determination, readiness, motivated, able to accomplish any task!”
Douglas Goss - The Plumber Company. LLC
“The military taught me determination.”
Vernon Williams - The Williams Company
“It has made and kept me Responsible.”
Rowland Givens - The Wright Place Foundation Inc.
“Goal setting and personal discipline and the attitude to never give up also with the goal of giving back to my God and country for blessing me.”
thomas nordstrom - Tom Nordstrom Construction
“I was an Airborne Ranger. While I was a Ranger, I was held to a higher standard. I had to go above and beyond my call of duty. I have always went out of the way for my customer. That single gesture makes you better than your competition.”
James Scott Williams - Alabama Sprinkler Services Inc.
“It gave me structure, dedication, and made me a man.”
James Carlton - Defense Components of Detroit
“90% of the employees of TCS Consultants are former service men and women or the children of service men and women. The military has instilled a sense of duty, mission accomplishment, and self discipline that we have transferred into our profession.”
Timothy Clegg - TCS Consultants, LLC
“William Boone, was a Fleet Marine Corpsman in pre-Vietnam era. We are determined to support and encourage our brave heroes and to see that the disgraceful actions to our Vietnam vets doesn't happen to these heroes today. We have compassion and empathy with our deployed military. Our daughter has been to the SandBox 3 times with the Army so we understand the needs of our young people.”
William Boone - TOUCH OF HOME Support 4R Deployed Military, Inc.
“I have been doing what I learned in the Military my entire life.”
Richard Grado - Rocky Mountain Civil Constructors
“The military taught me to take control and follow through and give 100% to my efforts.”
Anthony Perry - Total Care Property Inspections
“Since I've served in both the Army and Marine Corps, I have made the lessons learned, standard protocol. Just as I had to do to learn how to walk again after getting hit with an I.E.D. while providing convoy security in Iraq.”
Kris Rodriguez - The Rodriguez Insurance Agency
“It showed me the drive that it takes to succeed, and the integrity to make sure the job is done right.”
Nelson Borgeson - Borg Construction Services
“One word: Discipline!”
Mike Gillingham - Eastern Iowa Inspection Services LLC
“The submarine service taught me discipline and the need to work in cooperation with others.”
Michael Addison - Siella Imaging LLC
“Military service helped develop my focus on detail which enables my optical scanning service help businesses concentrate on what they do best.”
Susan Berehulka - Scanning Innovations, LLC
“The skills I learned at an early age in the US Navy developed my sense of discipline, tenacity, and motivation to excel in all areas of my life. I left the USN and completed my college degree, entered the market in sales and sales management, ran companies, and always helped others to increase their own motivation too excel. I would not trade my time serving my country for any amount of money. It created a cornerstone for my life and that has been now passed to my son. Thank you.”
Martin Lee - Happyface Media
“The military helped by providing me with the determination to keep striving for success in everything that I do!”
Edward McCullough Sr. - The Bait Barn
“The military gave me a sense of accomplishment and the will and desire to achieve any goal set in front of me. With the motivation given to me by the many people in the military pushing me only made me stronger as a person.”
Francis Kalokitis - Kal Kom LLC
“The leadership and decision making training and experience combined with the 'do what it takes to get the job done' attitude from the Marine Corps are the perfect building blocks for a business owner.”
John Spaugh - Desert Door & Building Supply
“Discipline, integrity and honesty!”
Marc Soss - Marc J. Soss, Esquire
“Being a marine has developed discipline and organization to our business. We consider it an honor to do business with other veterans.”
Harold O'Callaghan - Waco Formworks LLC
“Discipline, leadership, coping with things when the tides are against me.”
David Woods - Woods Patrol and Security Service
“The Marines has given me the drive to keep on going. Starting your own business can be very difficult, but I know that whatever I come up against it can't be as difficult as the long deployments or rigorous training.”
Jeremy Findley - Your Trendy Lingerie
“The courtroom is a tough place to succeed, but not near as tough as the training and experiences I encountered in the Marine Corps as an enlisted infantryman.”
Russell Little - The Law Offices of Russell Little, LLC
“Honor, respect, discipline!”
stephon mudd - Services Rendered VIP Photography
“The military developed my leadership and management skills through the years and the ability to see how communications and relationships with other organizations was key in making your operations successful.”
Laura Orcutt - Laura Orcutt Business Operating Solutions LLC (LOBOS)
“Honesty and integrity!”
Ronald McClaskey - R-Mac Electrical Service
“Personnel Management. Leadership. Strong work ethic for long hours.”
Mark Rothrock - Rocky's Bar
“We learned leadership skills and built up my confidence that we can finish a task set before us. Team work with the men and women who make up the team can finish a goal set before us. Training and encouragement will motivate people.”
Franklin Kiker - Sonrise General LLC
“Planning for multiple scenarios and learning to think independently and still be a team member are just a couple of attributes passed from active military service to being a business owner.”
Alan Ferneau - Tymely Moments - Brandon
“Learned how to be more focused on getting things done, and to research as much as I can before taking action.”
David Rowland - Rowland Enterprises
“Discipline, team work, never give up attitude.”
Marvin Whitaker - Skip's Construction Co., Inc.
“Progressing through the ranks to senior NCO you get to see in many ways different needs of people and what makes them motivated. The organizational skills and personal and material managerial skills are necessary whether you are running a business.”
Paul Marsters - Survival and Rescue Training and Consulting
“Time and safety critical operations demand a higher level of personal accountability that most commercial operations. Military service (twenty-three years of US Navy service) builds-in a level of experience & confidence unmatched by other venues.”
Jim Holcombe - JHolcombe & Associates, Incorporated
“As a Marine, I was taught the values of leadership, discipline and camaraderie. This is still very much evident 35 years later.”
Frank Espinoza - Frank H Contractors
“The military provided work place skills, discipline, responsibility, order, and foresight.”
Ricky Forrest - Don's Repair
“Discipline. Before entering the army I was a mess but afterward I became very organized.”
Stanley Sigstad - Trader Sigstad's Coffee
“My military service enhanced my ability to meet the challenges that owning a business sends my way. By teaching me that I am stronger physically and mentally then I ever thought possible.”
Dawn Mata Crane - La Matadora Cosmetics
“Military service taught me that taking care of people is just as important as turning a profit. We truly believe that in helping others in a fair and honest way that we are also helping ourselves to be better people.”
robert thomas - Thomas and Sons Home Efficiency
“Discipline, work ethic and organization.”
John Evans - AIM Home Inspection, Inc.
“Before joining the military I was a partner in a restaurant at the age of 23. When the Iraq war kicked off I had a hard time sitting on the side lines watching everything unfold. I left the partnership and joined the military. The rest is history.”
Nicholas Gray - NG Enterprises, LLC
“Leadership skills!”
C. J. Brown III - PeoplePower
“It has given me the discipline to realize that what the mind can see it can achieve!”
Richard Olvera - LegalShield Independent Associate - Richard Olvera
“My 10 years in the US Coast Guard has forced me to adapt to learn virtually every other specialty that directly and indirectly affects me. In my experience, almost every system that I have seen in the coast guard has failed around me and I would have to learn how to operate it to ensure it was carried out properly other wise it would negatively affect me. as a result of these broken systems I have been able to learn about technology, administration, management, science and teaching.”
Charles Carver - Triple C Entertainment
“I see paths of opportunities not just roadblocks.”
Eric Wiechert - Eric Wiechert Law Office
“When I enlisted in the navy right out of school, this was during the Vietnam war. I was a gun captain with the responsibilities of ten young men like myself, and the military by giving me that task set the wheels in motion, with teaching me leadership among my peers, and has helped me with my business.”
mike whitmer - Mike's Natural Stone Walls
“With training in leadership.”
Tom Shelters - Shelters Home Inspections
“My time in the Army as a Infantry NCO has prepared me to be a business owner, by teaching me how to focus on the task at hand and not giving up until it is accomplished.”
Adam Hart - Nightstalker Tactical Solutions
“Being a Corpsman in the Navy for 8 years taught me leadership and attention to detail.”
Jeff Moore - Quantum Home Inspections, LLC
“Government contracts can be a daunting task. However, having served in the Army the skills you develop as a leader prepare you to adapt to changing needs and to pay close attention to detail.”
Taylor Justice - Squared Away Construction
“It has provided me with the knowledge to better navigate the inner politics of most offices.”
Steve Clark - The Vannet Group, LLC
“Learned how to lead.”
Nick DiMaggio - Jet Precision Metal Inc.
“I was in the US Army in the early 1980's. As a young man starting fresh in the world, the army gave me the discipline, self confidence and the proper lifestyle structure to have 3 successful businesses and now my current website design company.”
Gregg Vollman - EZ Duzit Websites
“By training me in the skills of a Physical Therapy Aide which are the foundation for my Massage Therapy training.”
Michael Wolfes - Michael's Mobile Massage, LLC
“Military service provided the discipline to see any project to it's completion regardless of the obstacles placed in front of one.”
Richard Canard - Chesapeake Chute Systems, Inc.
“My Air Force experiences expanded my view of the business workplace and now allows us to uniquely approach the field of human resources through an effective and efficient use of processes, practices and principles.”
Leanne King - SeeKing HR
“I spent 12 years as a U S Navy photographer and that gave me the confidence to work for myself as well as the knowledge although things have changed drastically since the introduction of digital cameras.”
John Eberle - Creative Photography
“It taught me responsibility, professionalism, dependability, commitment, honesty, reliability.”
Thomas Fortunato - Arizona's Best Moving Co., LLC
“We understand the stresses imposed on the military families, and offer a standing discount for active duty military.”
Kenneth Schroeder - Bryant House Bed & Breakfast
“The military helped me mature. It also helped in making critical decisions.”
James Mathews - National System of Garage Ventilation
“Army leadership schools (Ranger School).”
Larry Mills - Skeen, Mohler & Associates Insurance
“Many traits were derived from military service, especially because of the age of the person. Most service people entered a branch of a service at 18 to 21 years of age. These are formative, learning and experience-gathering years that are nurtured.”
Joel Jablons - The TEEJAY Co.
“Understanding what teamwork it takes to truly take care of specific needs of soldiers directly applies to customer service. You must apply yourself and your team to provide great customer service.”
Richard Tillery - Veterans InfoSec Services
“More discipline.”
Ally Avery - A Unique Occasion
“USAF provided outstanding training and experience which has enabled me to become a bar-none, state-of-the-art computer and electronics guru.”
JOSEPH SMITH - Joseph Smith - IT and RF Consultant
“Being an Executive Officer in an Combat Engineering Construction Company, I learned that duty to mission is the most important thing. The mission of Schiller Ahern is to put our clients in a better position than before our relationship began. We are committed to doing everything we can to make the client proud of our efforts and results. To us, the client is first.”
Chris Ahern - Schiller Ahern
“The military education that I have had along with my job as an engineering draftsman/illustrator as well as art school has prepared me to do what is required for the sign business. I have served in the Navy as well as a Civil service retirement.”
William Smith - Signs by Splat
“My previous military training, discipline and service during WWII following an "unemployment recession" similar to the current national recession, was a factor in my desire to succeed in civilian life. I have since then, only once, during the entire period of my adult life, actually worked for a company.”
Leon B. Siwek - World Wide Waters
“Improvise and overcome any difficult situation which applies to the construction trades, organization and planning to meet all challenges.”
JOSEPH REYNOLDS - RYN Electric, LLC
“I have learned in life as in the military that commitment and perseverance is the key to being successful in anything you do in life. I married in 1973 while still in the Marines, I am still married and going strong.”
Bob Edwards - EDWARDS Electric, Inc.
“Discipline, Problem Solving.”
James Clymer - James Financial Mgmt Services
“My experience as an electrician in the Navy helped enable me to use this knowledge in construction and remodeling for residential and commercial customers.”
Robert Stouter - Stouter Construction, LLC
“The service taught me honor, courage, commitment, and how to think on your toes. Ever since my exit with the Navy I knew that I would do something great. I have always had high standards in everything I have ever done, now the business does that.”
Tony Webber - TNT Drywall and Painting
“I realized that anything is possible and we are only limited by our own initiative.”
Joseph Abi-najm - VA Home Inspect, LLC
“Being in the Navy taught me work ethic, trade skills, and knowledge of my industry.”
Dan Jensen - Advanced Machine and Fabrication
