Why I Love Working with Veteran-Owned Businesses
“Veteran business owners have a soft spot for the harder, braver road. Taking it isn’t the challenge. The challenge is making sure it goes where you want it to.”
Most of you know I am a veteran (Go Army) and that I intentionally connect and surround myself with lots of veteran business owners. I can say with confidence that veterans offer the world—and the world of business—a unique approach to owning a company, running a team, serving their customers, and building a legacy.
This Veterans Day, I’d like to acknowledge what makes veteran business owners different with gratitude and a challenge.
I appreciate your drive.
Academy grads and veterans aren’t afraid of hard work and tend to be highly goal- and mission-driven. You don’t just do. You get it done—no matter what it takes.
My challenge to you:
In the military, our missions can truly be life or death. This isn’t the case with our business or our family life (at least I hope not), but we military folks have a tendency to ratchet our stress to that mission-at-all-costs level out of habit. This month, I challenge you to roll up your sleeves and work hard at having a few hours or days of fun. It will give you the break your brain needs and remind you why you work your ass off in the first place.
I appreciate your active accountability.
Veteran entrepreneurs and Founder CEOs don’t retire from active duty—you just redefine it. People can count on you to be there, to do what’s needed, and to make it right. And you wear that honor like the badge it is.
My challenge to you:
Channel that active duty mindset as much into your personal life as you do your business. Are you tuning into your kids, your spouse, and your responsibilities at home with the same fierce attention you give your company and your customers? These are concurrent - not sequential - missions.
I appreciate your leadership.
The most elite soldiers and officers know that the most important thing on a mission isn’t their weapon. It’s their team. You know the value of people you can trust, trail, and train—and your employees know it too.
My challenge to you:
Create more faith (and strategy!) in your hiring process. Strong leaders aren’t the smartest or busiest in the room—they’ve surrounded themselves with people who can handle the load.
I appreciate the way you strike and pivot.
Military-minded founders have been trained to learn and adapt quickly to changing conditions. This sharp, on-the-fly decision-making allows you to dig deep into your resources when others would be throwing up their hands.
My challenge to you:
This month, commit to deeper learning, whether it’s taking a course, reading more articles, or listening to people who are smarter than you. Remember, every decision you make presents an opportunity for growth. As we say in The Lions Pride, “evaluate and evolve.” The more you know, the easier, faster, and better your decisions will be.
Veteran founders, thank you for your service. Thank you for your continued courage, innovation, and ownership. Thank you for creating 2.52 million companies and 5.03 million jobs in the US alone. You are badasses, and I appreciate the hell out of you.
Onward,
Bill
(USMA ‘77)
P.S.
If you ever feel alone in running your business, check out this survey. Of the 2.52 million veteran-owned businesses in the United States today, over 85% were built from scratch. That means over 2.1 million veterans just like you are tackling the same challenges with launching, building, promoting, scaling, and celebrating their companies. We’re proud to have some of the very best of you on this newsletter list and in our Cohort at The Lions Pride. Learn how we support veteran-owned businesses here.
Rise to the challenge(s).
List one thing you can do for each of the challenges above. Not sure where to start? Take our Badass Assessment here.
Commit to tackling one of the challenges above this week, and schedule the rest for the remaining portion of the month.
