Comments on the Military and Business Ownership

“Military has taught me how to get something down by streamlining the process and focusing on the end result. In the event of facing obstacles, take a step back, refocus and then go accomplish the mission.”

Irving Donaldson - Blue Alert, LLC

“Taught me to always be prepared, honest and punctual.”

Joe Everett - All American Tree And Stump Removal

“I was in the NAVY for 6 years active duty. The service made me a more thorough and detailed person. I now have high standards of what I think is right and am very assertive in my work.”

Dennis Lucero - Defined Electric

“I was able to travel through the world and collect all my stamps and I learned to keep extremely good records.”

Richard Easingwood - Easy's Stamps

“Logistics management, organizational skills, operations. ”

Martin Bishop - Evac One

“It taught me honor, integrity, hard work, perseverance, adaptability, how to improvise, overcome and complete on each mission.”

Shelly Bauer - Universal Investigations, LLC

“The experience acquired during my 23 years of military service and our unique approach to identify and complete our projects, places us at a different level than that of our competitors. Indirectly we are still serving our nation and those that are currently serving and we are extremely proud for it!”

Alfredo Quiros - Telum Protection Corp

“Military service has made me an even more responsible person!”

Roy Drangstveit - Minnesota Valley Inspections LLC

“Taught me discipline!”

Pete Brush - My Geek For Hire

“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 to employees for insights are all skills I learned while in service. In the military, we work in teams, and we have leaders just the way.”

Frank Valenti - Fulton Graphics, Inc.

“Training opportunities and instructing leadership courses.”

George Duncan - SWFL Duncan Group, LLC

“Military service taught organization, leadership, work ethic, discipline and drive.”

Ralph Owens - O-Craftsmen Builders

“Military training prepared me to follow rules and steps in order to achieve goals. It taught me teamwork and how to be a good leader. There are some of the things I was able to use in order to become a business owner. The Army core values are something I have used as a way of life both in the military and in the business world, and it has been essential to our growth.”

Fernando Martinez - Ostar Motorsports

“Organizational and leadership skills.”

James Abbott - Satcom Scientific, Inc.

“During my 21 years in the military, I have developed my discipline and attention to detail that I use everyday as a business owner. My biggest asset is STANDARDS, and that is why it's in the company name "Military Standards Window Cleaning.”

Scott Pearce - Military Standards Window Cleaning LLC

“Basic training was no joke. It instilled discipline, courage, and the will to "drive on troop"! While stationed in Fort Kobbe, Panama I depended on the guy to my right and to my left. Same goes with business.”

Tom Carter - Ultrabrite LLC

“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.

“Aberdeen Proving Ground school for blacksmith and welding.”

Ruperto FUENTES - Universal Refractrs & Boilers

“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

“As a broadcaster with Armed Forces Radio and as Public Affairs Specialist, I increased in confidence dealing with influential people. Also, service as a Non-Commissioned Officer provided leadership and organizational training.”

Ed Autry - Ed Autry Voiceovers

“I'm built to be a better leader and much more confidence now.”

carlos gutierrez - CD Phone Home Inc.

“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 responsibility and leadership under fire. Company commander with 3rd Marine Division RVN.”

LEO DURANT - LND Construction

“Leadership training and concept of personal Duty and Honor.”

Mark Preson - Operations and Engineering

“The 343rd. & 2849th. Civil Engineering Squadrons taught me the ins & outs of the Construction Industry. From how to set Brick, Block, Concrete, Windows, Doors & Drywall to Materials Procurement & Scheduling just to name a few.”

Michael Pereira - Palm Home Improvement Inc.

“I was intent on starting a business where I could help give back to the servicemen and women that showed me the meaning of Integrity and Discipline. These are the very ethics that I have brought from the Marines into my organization.”

Mark Llano - Source One Distributors, Inc.

“As a Navy hospital corpsman back in the mid 80s, I spent several years juggling many tasks at one time. Whether drawing blood or filing medical records, everything had to be extremely organized and done quickly and perfectly. There was no room for error when it came to dealing with my daily duties in the Navy and there is no room for error today in running an agency. The military also helped me become comfortable working with different people from all ranks and all walks of life which makes running a web-centric marketing agency like eWareness much easier.”

Brian St.Ours - eWareness

“The military has better prepared me to run my business for many reasons. I love to take challenges head on, am a highly motivated person. I look for the best in anything I do whether I was on the front lines in Iraq or cleaning a customers window!”

Billy Templeton - Veterans Window Services

“The US Army gave me the ability to make quick decisions, even though difficult keep on doing the task or duty until operation is complete and done to the best of my ability. Taught me to work as a team member, to encourage others to keep on going!”

Roy Huckaby - Weedseal Northwest Sales and Service

“Attention to detail!”

Paul Dinkins - Prep Security, LLC

“Taught me how to deal with stress!”

Marty Katz - QBD Consulting, Inc

“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.

“I am a retired Navy Commander and the Navy gave me the necessary management skills to start my own business.”

Joseph Scarola - Capital Material Handling, LLC

“26 years experience of flying, maintaining, and support Air Force Weapon Systems.”

Don Needham - LogSpec

“To have honor is the way you run your business. A hand shake is just as good as a multi-page contract.”

Roland Walker - Walker & Sons, Inc. dba Katrol Construction

“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

“Procedures and systems.”

Ron Glazer - Ron Glazer

“It has disciplined me to be more organized.”

Albert Lanclos - Beau Monde Landscape LLC

“My military service was instrumental in the development of my leadership and organization skills.”

Dennis Sommer - Executive Business Advisers

“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

“It helped me pay attention to small details and being prompt.”

Frederick Franks - Acme Logistics, Inc

“Military service is invaluable in teaching one team work, discipline, communication, contacts, and allows one to establish life long friendships.”

David B. du Pont - HEPCO, Inc.

“Serving in our military has taught me the discipline necessary to manage the day to day operations of my business!”

Edward Humbert - Complete Heating & Cooling

“Taught me discipline and gave me the self esteem needed.”

Dan Engel - Employee Benefit Solutions LLC

“Leadership. Never surrender. Think outside the box.”

Fred Seger - Graydentech

“Discipline, discipline, discipline!”

Bob Wilburn - Matrix Construction Co., Inc.

“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

“When I was bored, I read books about business. I can not sit down and not be doing anything. I'm always looking for opportunities to exploit. I'm grateful for the leadership and patience I earned while serving on active duty.”

Junyer Knight - My-Eddy

“Once I left active duty I as able to secure a civilian position with the US Army Corps of Engineers where I worked for nearly 10 years as an IT Manager developing a broad range of skills including Web Designer, IT Manager and Strategic Planner.”

Russ Cuthrell - Spyder Byte Media, Inc.

“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

“The military taught me determination.”

Vernon Williams - The Williams Company

“It has made and kept me Responsible.”

Rowland Givens - The Wright Place Foundation Inc.

“It taught me to be able to deal with different personalities and to be able to be patient in waiting for what I am looking for.”

Aaron Thomason - Thomason and Partners, LLC

“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

“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

“Discipline.”

Thomas Crook - Uncle Tom's Handyman Service

“Professional leadership and commitment to providing a professional service for our clients.”

Chuck Yezza - 1st Choice Property Inspectors Inc.

“My military service has helped me to be a better business owner by the organizational skills I was taught and the ability to adapt and overcome obstacles and adverse situations. Above all else honesty, integrity and to take responsibility.”

RUSSELL PRICE - R.J. Price Plumbing and Heating, Inc.

“The discipline is a requirement of being self employed.”

John Russell - Eagle Industrial Instrumentation, LLC

“It gave me the skill to stick to it when the going has been slow.”

Richard Jennings - R H Jennings, LLC

“It has made me disciplined and focused and able to multi-task.”

Doug Robinson - Maine Inspection & Engineering Company

“Almost 10 years in the USAF taught me many things including trustworthiness, timeliness, honesty, sense of pride, and ethical behavior.”

Michael White - Heritage Heating & Air LLC

“The key word in any business is integrity.”

Gerard Sunnen - Ozonics International, LLC

“The Texas Air National Guard instilled in me (at least) three traits that are highly desirable in business owners/entrepreneurs... discipline, perseverance and tenacity. Without these traits I would never have been able to drive my business to where it is now.”

Chris Nicolaou - Texas DNS, Inc.

“The professionalism, discipline, and character of the people I had the honor to serve with taught us to always respect and treat our fellow man the way we want to be treated in business and in our every day life.”

Daniel B Jones - Purification Technologies

“The military gave me a wide range of responsibilities and duties. Knowing organization is the key to success, the Navy put me in diverse surroundings and gave me exposure to the world. The military has been a big part of my life for years and I feel I am a product of my environment.”

Mark Craggy - Amazing Creations

“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

“Being a leader of Marines prepared me to take the reigns of my company and relentley give everything that I possibly can to ensure that our customer base comes first and receives nothing but the highest quality of service.”

Brett Granger - Global Garage Flooring and Design of Houston, LLC.

“Leadership and Character. The military gave me the confidence to know that I can do anything I set my mind on.. and that's the truth! 100% success thus far!”

Jeffrey Gonzalez - DirectJG HIDS and Accessories

“Improvise, adapt and overcome!”

Brian Durgin - Durgin's Lawn & Landscape

“The military showed me how to structure my time, money, and management.”

Brad Hedrick - Floor Designs

“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

“Honesty and integrity!”

Ronald McClaskey - R-Mac Electrical Service

“I'm able to think outside the box after living and working in many, many boxes.”

Timothy Buskell - Ago

“The military provided a place to mature and see the world without the close protection of my family. Decisions made by myself were totally mine and had its repercussions either positive or negative. This was the place where you learn to be an adult.”

James E. Frederick - TimeLine Management Group, LLC

“I entered the Army at seventeen years old, as a high school drop out. The Army taught me the skills that have enabled me to thrive in any situation that I have found myself in. The training and education I was provided have made the man I am today.”

Scott Jones - Native Sons Services, LLC

“Personnel Management. Leadership. Strong work ethic for long hours.”

Mark Rothrock - Rocky's Bar

“The leadership training I received in the US Army prepared me to take on many challenges in life as well as taught me the skills I needed to venture out and start my own business.”

Leopold Lacrimosa - SonoranDesertKnives

“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

“Organizational skills.”

Tommy Pope - Business Systems, Inc.

“Taught me a "never quit" philosophy!”

F Gregg Meagher - Life Regeneration Systems Corporation LLC

“Military service has given me the tools necessary to start, run, and maintain my business. Dedication and attention to details are my watch words. These are just a sample of the many lessons learned and experience gained from my military service.”

Charles Brown - Exodus International

“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

“Military Service enabled me to have the discipline and internal drive to succeed in creating and growing my own company.”

Jamie Falconi - Stellar Apparel

“My service in the military has allowed me to travel the world and expand my herpetology experiences far more than I ever expected. The Army Values are what I bring to work every day in order to complete the task at hand; Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.”

Luis Fraser - Rattlesnake Removal USA - N California

“The military provided work place skills, discipline, responsibility, order, and foresight.”

Ricky Forrest - Don's Repair

“Attention to detail that is required in the military has driven our business. Getting to jobs on time and completing them with the quality that is required is also a skill pounded into us military members.”

Russ Stark - Surface Specialists of Arrowhead Country

“Made me a strong leader and willing to pursue my goals.”

ramzi torbey - Halo-8

“100% disabled Viet Nam Era Veteran and formed the show to help other veterans navigate the system for their benefits.”

James Lytner - Veterans Talk / The Forgotten Promise

“Organization skills, accomplish anything attitude.”

Allen Hafer - Sandal Marine Services

“Military services prepared me to be a better business owner by strengthening my attention to detail; motivating me to be the best that I can be in whatever circumstance; building on my leadership skills and giving me a great foundation to grow on.”

Teresa Garner - Think Business, Inc.

“Confidence, communication skills and organization.”

Terry Maki - Bitterroot Services & Technology LLC

“Experience of Government supplies purchased and requested.”

Joseph P Pekar - MFG Reps, LLC

“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

“It has made me a more (nose to the grindstone) kind of a person. What ever it takes to get the job done.”

Gary Wickham - P.F.D. LLC

“Giving me the discipline and knowledge to be competitive.”

Greg Nixon - QualiCare Commercial Cleaning

“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