In the recent past, many military veterans have ventured into the business world and have brought into the business environment skills they learned while serving in the military. These “vetrepreneurs” possess unique qualities, which are: discipline, leadership, perseverance and a strong set goal. Their enterprise are in sectors like technology, logistics, wellness and consulting, all borne out of the need to address real-life challenges and generate employment for fellow veterans. And with help from veteran-supporting networks and resources, many of them are turning into influential leaders within the modern, rapidly growing business world.
Military Skills that Translate to Business Success
The reason why many of the veterans succeed in business is because they had been trained in the military and equipped with parameters that are easily transferable to entrepreneurship. Starting from tactical planning, risk analysis, and decision making under the condition of stress, military training prepares veterans to meet the challenges of starting and operating a business. This sometimes makes them ready to make decisions, lead and work under pressure, and deal with the unexpected challenges.
Notable Veteran-Founded Businesses
A number of high-profile companies founded by veterans exemplify the potential of veteran-led entrepreneurship. Here are a few examples: 
Black Rifle Coffee Company: Founded by ex- Green Beret Evan Hafer, Black Rifle is simply a coffee selling business and has a large client base, including veterans and first responders. Hafer’s vision was to establish a coffee brand that would be relevant to the military, and he has introduced the patriotic spirit into the firm. Black Rifle has grown rapidly and now has several stores all throughout the United States while also supporting numerous charities related to veterans.
Team Rubicon: Founded by Marine Corps veteran Jake Wood, Team Rubicon is a nonprofit organization that collaboratively deploys veterans during natural disasters. The organization utilizes the abilities veterans obtained while in service, such as, first aid, logistics, and crisis response, toward disaster relief efforts. Apart from its humanitarian efforts, Team Rubicon gives veterans a renewed sense of purpose and something to look forward to, making it one of the best and most successful veteran-led organizations.
Sword & Plough: Sword & Plough was founded by Emily Nunez Cavness, who is a former Army officer. The company’s purpose is converting military surplus materials into quality bags and accessories. Through hiring service veterans and procuring surplus materials, Cavness’s company showcases commitment to sustainability and job provision. Her business approach focuses on bringing military and civilian closer, encouraging people to see veterans differently while supporting eco-friendly practices.
These endeavors show that industries and sectors that are being addressed by veterans are diverse and also, proving that the skills developed while in the military can be applied in different fields.
Veteran Support Networks Fueling Success
Recognizing the spirit of entrepreneurship among veterans, many bodies and networks have specifically established programs that are designed to support vetrepreneurs. One of them is Bunker Labs, an organization that provides veterans and military spouses resources to help start and expand their businesses. The organization offers mentoring, networking opportunities, and access to funding, thereby encouraging a community of experienced entrepreneurs who can share knowledge and resources. An instance is the “Veterans in Residence” Bunker Labs six-month incubator program that provides veterans with necessary resources to help launch their businesses.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) also plays a very important role through its “Office of Veterans Business Development.” This office supervises programs such as ‘Boots to Business’ – a program aimed at enlightening veterans about the basics of entrepreneurship. Such programs are important in giving veterans the confidence and skills they need to own a business and seek financing.
Another important organization is the “Institute for Veterans and Military Families” (IVMF) at Syracuse University. The IVMF provides several training services and programs for veterans, which include the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV), a diligent program that takes the veterans through the basic steps of business ownership. The IVMF also undertakes research on veteran entrepreneurship, providing valuable insights into the issues and success factors for veterans in business.
Looking forward, different industries such as technology startups, green industries, or socially responsible businesses are likely to be dominated by veteran entrepreneurs. With more veterans entering civilian life and more of them moving into the business world, their entrepreneurial contribution will only grow and bring value-added solutions to markets while also creating jobs for others.
