Comments on the Military and Business Ownership

“Enhanced management skills.”

Harry LaSha Gray - Celebration DJ, LLC

“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

“The Army instilled three traits into my personality. Discipline, honor, and initiative. Discipline helps me to run my business effectively and efficiently. Honor allows me to maintain a solid client base because I strive to "do the right thing" at all times, even if it means losing money on a job. Initiative gives me the desire to constantly improve processes, keep up with new technologies, and take advantage of opportunities to provide new and improved services to my clients.”

David Sazama - eFusion Systems

“Taught me discipline, attention to detail, working with and directing a team.”

Rick Stricker - WebSlingers Web Development

“Organization, teamwork, following through with a job once started.”

Meredith Bogen - Bogen Pest Control, Inc.

“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

“My years in flying and crash investigation gave me discipline, confidence, and drive to take care of fellow vets. ”

Bear Thomas - Bear Team Realty

“Instilled discipline, confidence, and satisfaction in a job well done.”

Sean Elkin - Searchlight Interactive, LLC

“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 discipline and rigid routines have prepared me to be honest, trustworthy, and above punctual in my approach to all of my inspection activities.”

Thomas Spoor - Quality Home Inspection

“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.

“Serving in the Army has given me the ability to listen, learn, and go with my instincts. I set the example of a good citizen, businessman, family man, providing good moral standards, and high integrity. ”

Walter S Willingham - Superior Retail Services, Inc.

“Self-discipline, confidence and structure I gained while serving in the USAF.”

Jyl Hendricks - All Cape Painting & Carpentry LLC

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

Ralph Owens - O-Craftsmen Builders

“In my eleven years of service I have honed skills on being process orientated all the while keeping a steady pace in accomplishing the objectives set. Discipline and motivation has helped me accomplish whatever it is that I set forth to do.”

William Tortorice - Wealth Management Group, LLC

“As a Marine Corps Sniper in Vietnam, it taught me the importance of being careful and paying close attention to small details.”

Dan Bowers - Holmes Inspection Company

“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

“I learned how to discipline myself to run a lean business and to provide leadership to my employees!”

Mark White - Wake County Cleaning Company

“The military taught me work ethics. Work hard when it is time to work and shut it off when it's done. I don't have have to use my command voice very often these days, but it's there when I need it.”

Mary Smith - Virtual Imagery Photography

“Made me a more dynamic, honest and determined individual!”

Jake Haap - Orion Home Inspections

“Motivation, Discipline, and Foresight!”

John Paff - EAR Alaska

“Marine Corps taught me discipline and integrity.”

Steven Fikes - SFX Electric

“Military service teaches you to never give up.”

Rick Phillips - Dry Ridge Plumbing

“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

“Discipline-Team Work-Pride!”

DAVID DEMARS - North American Property Management

“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

“It's helped me form objectives, and become better at forming strategies to reach those objectives. It's also helped me work as a team, develop SOP's in my business, and focus on the goals I have set.”

EJ Smith - Smith Business Development Solutions

“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.

“Taught me patience.”

Jonathan Schneider - Schneider Financial Group, Ltd

“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

“The military gave me leadership and Taught me discipline for every day life.”

Robert Morone - Morone's Mowing Inc.

“The military taught me responsibility and determination.”

James Jarrett - North American Environmental Services, LLC

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

Mark Preson - Operations and Engineering

“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.

“The military taught me that there is always a way to get something done and I believe I have brought that attitude to my business.”

Matthew Gilmore - Lincoln Process Service

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

Don Needham - LogSpec

“I am always on time and I do what I say.”

Sam Emmerling - Sam Emmerling Company

“It has disciplined me to be more organized.”

Albert Lanclos - Beau Monde Landscape LLC

“Organizational Skills.”

Keith Picard - VAL-FAB, Inc.

“Discipline & leadership.”

Brian Crist - MGQ & Associates, Inc

“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

“Serving in the military gave me a good sense of direction and ethical business practices as well as a hard-working and responsible lifestyle.”

Michael Friedberg - Secure Standards, LLC

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

Dan Engel - Employee Benefit Solutions LLC

“The Army instilled a sense of discipline, teamwork and organization in me that has bettered every aspect of my life. I would definitely not be where I am today without the time that I proudly served in the military.”

Robin Caton - Foundstuff Estate Sales & Personal Property Appraisals

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

Fred Seger - Graydentech

“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

“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

“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

“Being in the military has taught me that no matter what background you come from or where you come from has nothing to do with the teamwork and family values that you leave there with. I loved meeting so many people from so many places.”

Stephanie Salupo - Admin On The Go

“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

“It has given me the direction, capabilities and confidence to own and operate a small business.”

Jeffrey Gruhlke - Pinnacle Carpet Care

“The years I spent in the military were filled with pride, responsibility, duty, discipline and provided me with the success I have today. It got my life going on the right track!”

Jane Watts - Batteries Watts & Things LLC

“I have been doing what I learned in the Military my entire life.”

Richard Grado - Rocky Mountain Civil Constructors

“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

“My time in the military has laid the foundation for who I am as a business owner. I was taught respect, team-dynamics, honor and most importantly that anything and everything can be done with a positive 'can-do' attitude and good organization.”

Betsy Rosengrant-Stein - K.D. Rosengrant, Inc.

“The key word in any business is integrity.”

Gerard Sunnen - Ozonics International, LLC

“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

“Leadership, working with teams, management, efficiency and hard work.”

Mel Lamont - Lamont Brands Inc.

“Loyalty, Honesty, Motivation.”

Robert Collins - Collins Landscape Services

“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

“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.

“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

“Went thru some trying times in the army (helicopter crew chief-Vietnam) which makes you stronger, so you can give the extra effort it takes to run a business.”

William Whelan - The Printing Works

“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

“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

“Honesty and integrity!”

Ronald McClaskey - R-Mac Electrical Service

“Trust, leadership, independent, and the ability to talk and work with others to accomplish goals.”

Jeffrey Lakatos - Hartland Electric LLC

“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

“Joining the Marines was the best choice of my life. In my business life it has given me huge confidence and integrity. The willingness to persevere through any situation is also a big plus in my business.”

James Erickson - EMC Dental Marketing

“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

“Organizational skills.”

Tommy Pope - Business Systems, Inc.

“The self-discipline and dedication to a team effort that I learned in the Marine Corps, prepared me for the rigors of the entertainment business.”

Giacomo Knox - A Week With My Father, LLC

“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

“Attention to detail, accomplish the mission, problem solving, team work, decision making, proactive, responsible, professional, finding the best and fastest ways to accomplish the mission. Good interactivity with seniors (clients) and subordinates.”

Mark Hutchings - Black Ops

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

Jamie Falconi - Stellar Apparel

“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

“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

“Introduced me to the disciplines required to get a job done and accomplish important and critical task without excuse or oversight. Also learned supervision, delegation, and leadership principles that have served me every day.”

Michael Thomas - Thomas Lock & Key

“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

“Organization skills, accomplish anything attitude.”

Allen Hafer - Sandal Marine Services

“Taught me the importance of responsibility, commitment, integrity, honor, service. Never to give up, always stand for what is right. GOD bless all our veterans, and GOD bless the United States of America.”

Jose Uz - Caribbean Realty Support Services

“Paid for college and built leadership.”

Mike Olivera, DBA - Rescue Wireless Remote Computer & Network Repair

“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.

“Serving in the Army and now the Reserves has helped me to be more aware of the world around me. My organizational and communication skills have improved, I have an increased love for my country and our freedoms. I returned from my 4th deployment to Afghanistan (2012) and am honored to say that I have served with the finest men and women and am grateful for their support and for what we have learned together.”

Adam Peters - Three Willows Counseling, LLC

“Discipline, work ethic and organization.”

John Evans - AIM Home Inspection, Inc.

“The discipline, training, and life experiences make veterans the best small business leaders in the civilian community. We use all those learned lessons and training experiences and apply them to our day to day operations and find they work extremely well.”

Michael Mizell - Millennium Security Services, 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

“My training helped me to look at a situation and quickly and accurately make educated decisions.”

David Wardlow - Veterans Debt Relief

“How life is.”

Shari Wahlert - Wahlert Service

“I see paths of opportunities not just roadblocks.”

Eric Wiechert - Eric Wiechert Law Office