6 Inspiring Stories From Veteran Small Business Owners

While it’s never a bad time to celebrate the hard work of veteran-run businesses, National Veterans Small Business Week ensures we dedicate time each year to doing so. 

And for good reason—there are over 2.5 million veteran-owned businesses in the U.S generating over a trillion dollars in annual revenue.

This year, with many veteran and military-run businesses hit hard by the crisis, it's more important than ever to shine a spotlight on this deserving section of the small business community.

So, to honor our vets, we asked them to share their stories about how they’re making it through the year. What inspires them? What advice do they have for other veteran-owned businesses?

The answers didn't disappoint. From inspiring stories to timeless advice, here are six of our favorite responses about how veterans use their grit, discipline, and positive attitude to hang on in a crisis. 

How Military Skills Are Helping Veteran-Owned Businesses Recover

As you’ll see from the stories below, the military-learned survival skills that veterans bring to the table do make a difference. 

While vet-owned businesses are suffering from the Covid crisis, they are recovering better, according to a recent Alignable Pulse Poll.

Of 8,092 small business owners surveyed, veteran businesses were ahead on all measures. More are fully open, more have three months plus in cash reserves, and a greater percentage are matching or exceeding pre-pandemic revenue.

Here’s how they’re doing it.

1. Success as a state of mind

Bryan Tuggle came home from Vietnam with a goal: to run his own hospitality company. 

Using the can-do attitude he learned in the military, he got the food and beverage experience he needed by working for other companies before starting his own business from his garage. That was 37 years ago. 

Fast forward to 2020. "I had to adjust my whole business to adapt to Covid-19,” he says. 

Thankfully, that same can-do attitude has been helping him through. His strategy? Offering take-out in his restaurant, catering to smaller events, and adapting his marketing message to meet the changing audience. 

Taking advantage of a range of resources has also helped with the process. “I gleaned information from suppliers, other veterans, The V.A., The American Legion, U.S. Veterans Magazine articles,” he says. 

Above all, explains Bryan, adapting and overcoming is a state of mind—one you actively choose. 

I decided to not let my circumstances dictate my future but my positive response to them.

“I decided to not let circumstances dictate my future but my positive response to them. I had to constantly remind myself that ‘You are what you think, what you think you believe, and what you believe you become!'” – advice that surely applies to all of us, in all areas of life. 

2. Honoring the fallen

“Teaching is something I enjoyed doing throughout my career,” says Sal Castilleja of Guardian 7 Training in Hurst, TX, who served in the Marine Corp for 21.5 years. 

While deployed as a contractor in Afghanistan, Sal was injured by an IED. Unable to return to service, he decided to start a small business using his teaching skills. He named his company Guardian 7 in honor of a close friend he lost in Iraq (Guardian 7 was his call sign).

Says Sal: “My motivation is to keep honoring my friend and to teach those who wish to obtain knowledge. My advice: Find your passion and keep moving forward. Do not compromise the ethos that were instilled in you and remember, ‘there is perfection in the basics.'”

Find your passion and keep moving forward.

3. Going against the grain

Most people would see the beginning of a pandemic as a bad time to start a business. But not veteran Wanda C. Abbott. 

She saw it as an opportunity—and calmly dove right into starting her company, Weddings by Wanda. “I reached out and said, ‘You've waited a long time to start this business. Go right ahead. You now have time to get everything in motion and not have to rush and forget something important.’”

Leave it to a vet to make a bold business move like that one.

Being a female veteran means the world to me.

“Being a female veteran means the world to me,” says Wanda. “I wanted to serve my country any way that I could. I credit my faith, family, and friends who have helped me along the journey.”

Wanda’s advice for other businesses? “Keep striving and it will come.”

4. FINAO: Failure is not an option

Travel is one of the hardest hit industries during this year’s pandemic. But according to many of our veteran members with tourism businesses, that’s no reason to quit.

Take World Traveler 365 Travel Advisors, for example: They were off to record numbers for 2020 until travel came to a grinding halt in March. 

“These last 6 months with zero revenue have been difficult,” says owner Dayton Owens. “But I learned something from NASA and the Navy many years before: FINAO, Failure Is Not An Option.”

I learned something from NASA and the Navy many years before: Failure is not an option.”

The company has been working hard at getting clients refunds, re-booking trips for 2021-22, and learning all the new protocols for the new world of travel. 

“Travel advisors are more important than ever if you want to go anywhere in the world,” says Dayton. “We have to know the new rules and protocols for every country, entry requirements, cruising safety programs, Covid testing, masks, and flying restrictions.”

He adds that people can’t wait to get back to traveling. And when they do, his business will be ready to serve. 

5. Adapting to the situation

Jerry B. Bowden cofounded his software and marketing company, REVEALiO, in 2016. 

“Prior to Covid, REVEALiO was focused on providing innovative technologies to forward-thinking business owners. Post Covid, we saw the needs of business owners drastically change.”

So the company changed along with them and began providing more fundamental services like website development, SEO, advertising, publicity, and accessibility. 

This quick shift has allowed REVEALiO to continue to thrive. How did Jerry adapt and change course so quickly? Simple—his military training.

It was in a bid to escape poverty and violence that he joined the Army in 1966, at age 17. After serving in South Korea and surviving combat in Vietnam, he was discharged from military service in 1971.

“I have found that I can achieve anything if I believe it is possible, and I want it badly enough,” says Jerry. “If I have the belief and the desire, it drives my determination to see it through, no matter what obstacles or circumstances I face.”

I have found that I can achieve anything if I believe it is possible, and I want it badly enough.

Jerry adds that it’s important to learn from our mistakes and seek support when we need it. In fact, reaching out to the V.A for job-seeking assistance is what initially launched his career. “It’s good to think outside-of-the-box and ask questions,” he says.

6. Spreading joy

Last (but certainly not least) we can’t close this post without sharing this story from Ted Pedrick, aka Santa Ted…

“Helping others. That's how my business started," says Ted.

 “Going back to my four years in the Air Force as an ER Medic, both here and RVN, I learned how to give.”

While working as a crisis counsellor at a suicide prevention center in Maryland, Ted was asked to play Santa Claus for the local women's and children's homeless shelter. In the spirit of giving, he said yes.

“That was 21 years ago,” he says, “and I have been a Santa ever since.”

Throughout the years, Ted has worked at malls and events, passing along the joy the job gives him to all the children and parents he meets. On top of that, he participates in the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program, which distributes Christmas gifts to children whose parents can’t afford them.

This year’s events will not deter Ted from his mission (can we all agree spreading joy to children is an essential service?).

Smile and spread joy. It will come back to you.

Resources for Veteran Small Business Owners

A positive attitude, grit, and good intentions can take you far—but sometimes you also need advice, support, or financial aid to get through. 

If you’re a veteran business owner, here are a few handy resources you can check out:

• US Small Business Administration (SBA) has a range of programs for vets. You can also search for Veteran Business Outreach Centers.
• The Veterans and Military Business Owners Association has a wealth of resources, from business coaching to member networking to discounts. Membership is free.
• VetToCEO is a free virtual program that helps veterans and military kickstart their own business venture.
• The Department of Veteran Affairs’ Veteran Entrepreneur Portal offers plenty of easy-to-navigate information and resources. 
• Operation Entrepreneur Canada arms military personnel and veterans with the tools and resources they need to confidently start and run a business.

More Veteran Business Stories

Above are just a few of the great stories we’ve heard from you, the veterans in the Alignable community, about how you’re coping this year. 

There are countless veteran-owned businesses worthy of being highlighted. And, doubtless, many worth reaching out to and bringing into your own business network. So what are you waiting for?

Vets, don’t forget to add your own stories below. And for everyone else, let us know what veteran-owned businesses you'd like to highlight in the comments.

Dig into more businesses who are surviving and thriving this year in these reads:

• How 1 Woman Pivoted to Help Businesses When They Needed It Most
• Finding Power in the Pandemic: Raven's Story
• 9 Uplifting Stories of Community Support to Inspire You