The Leadership Factory

On behalf of Military Appreciation Month, there’s no better time to honor the men and women in uniform who serve our great nation. It’s also time for a wakeup call. Because that appreciation needs to extend to the incredible gifts they offer even after that service is done.?

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An estimated 200,000 men and women transition to civilian life each year. But according to a 2023 survey of 1,000 military veterans conducted on behalf of Sports Clips Haircuts , they face some tough obstacles when they do. Finding a job topped the list (56%), followed by homeownership (52%) and getting married and having kids (46%).

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Thankfully, franchisors like Sports Clips also understand what many organizations in the civilian world still do not. America’s military veterans bring valuable transferrable skills with them. And more companies could learn from this example and its growing prevalence within the franchise community.

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More specifically, I’m talking about the VetFran program that has helped so many individuals transition into small business ownership. Founded in 1991 by Neighborly? , the world’s largest home services organization, the program is now overseen by the International Franchise Association and the IFA Educational Foundation and includes hundreds of franchisors that offer discounts to veterans who wish to own their own business.

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Personally, there’s nothing more patriotic than watching an economic sector honor men and women for their service to our country by providing a pathway to the American Dream in return. ?

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VetFran helps veterans become franchise owners.

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While veterans represent some 7% of our population, they account for 14% of franchisees. On top of that, they also hire more veterans in their businesses as well. The success is astounding. It also could use more shouting from the mountaintops. And not only to feel good about those who are living the dream, but also for the next wave of veterans who could enter their ranks.

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For almost 30 years I’ve had the honor of promoting the VetFran program. Nowhere else have I witnessed a business community come together to provide military members a pathway for careers in the civilian world with such vigor. It has been one of our greatest education efforts at BizCom Associates to shine a spotlight on VetFran franchisees to broaden the awareness of how and why veterans make good small business owners. After all, they have received the best training in America for how to follow a proven system courtesy of Uncle Sam. Naturally that lends itself to following a proven franchise system with similar success.

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Witnessing a veteran’s instant ability to jump in and take charge of things is something to behold. They know how to build a team and accomplish a mission. What comes second nature to them is often foreign to others. Their success can be found across an array of franchise opportunities including home services, fitness studios, restaurants, music education, senior care and more. And when they exit the military, they enter a new world with some of the most admirable qualities on a resume, including:

·????? Leadership

·????? Teamwork

·????? A strong work ethic

·????? Core values

·????? The ability to handle stress

·????? Self-direction and motivation

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I know because I’ve seen it in my own home.

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An officer and a gentleman.

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I married a veteran. And while he isn’t a franchise owner, I’ve seen first-hand the kind of leader he is today because he was once so committed to his job that he was willing to take a bullet for his employer. That kind of character isn’t forged in a classroom.

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The way my husband explains it, he was just a kid. Eric Feid was only 19 years-old when he became Second Lieutenant Feid -- a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. You can see him getting his very first salute from my father-in-law, the Marine in dress blues with the fruit cocktail. It was a beautiful moment, for sure. But was this newbie actually ready to carry a gun and give orders?

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To be honest, I’ve only known my husband in the civilian world. We got married 29 years ago this month. By then he had a master’s degree; he had made the prestigious Vice President’s Club at 默克 , a Fortune 100 company; and the only uniform he wore was a coat and tie. He fit right in with corporate America.

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What I didn’t understand was how he got that way so young, so fast. And what I know now is what more people should appreciate about the wisdom and skills our military instills.

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Uncle Sam, the trainer.

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By the time Eric graduated from college, he was instantly a boss. When at full strength, he was responsible for 41 men and women. His platoon consisted of an HQ unit, a treatment squad that operated a Battalion Aid Station, an ambulance squad, and a Combat Medic section. When deployed, the combat medics would embed with their assigned infantry platoon to be the first responders for that platoon.

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That sounds like a huge responsibility. That’s also why the U.S. Military is a bonafide leadership factory unlike any other. It offers incomparable training, respect for superiors, loyalty to one’s country and the insatiable desire to follow a system that protects the very freedom under which we live and breathe. Eric took that job seriously, eventually rising to Captain. As a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, he also jumped out of perfectly good airplanes on many occasions with a mission to deploy anywhere in the world in under 18 hours. That kind of bravery isn’t everyday stuff.

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But like everyone else in uniform, the government entrusted him with tasks big and small and expected nothing less than: mission accomplished. That’s how Eric explains becoming a leader. That’s also how he mentored those under his command to do the same.

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Who doesn’t want that in the business world? Let’s recruit, honor and salute more of that.

To all of our brave military members, thank you for your service!

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