Military Veterans are uniquely skilled. They have finely honed leadership, organizing, and problem-solving skills while serving in the military. At every level, while on active duty, Veterans were consistently driven by a desire to achieve results by doing meaningful work aligned with their values and interests.
They worked in stressful conditions, had authority, and were encouraged to make crucial decisions, often autonomously, because their skills training prepared them for rapidly developing difficult situations.
Many Veterans find the proverbial 9-5 job unfulfilling and stifling, so it’s unsurprising that they look for other ways to find career satisfaction. If this describes you, consider owning your own business, specifically a franchise. Franchise ownership is often an ideal fit for Veterans, blending structure and entrepreneurship while utilizing the key skills and traits developed through military service.
“I'm not wired to go out and do this on my own. I know my strengths and weaknesses. That's not for me. But franchising is similar to the military in that the process is already defined, the structures are already in place. My job is to execute it well.”
Eric Saddler - Owner of Molly Maid® of West Chester | Veteran, US Army
Veterans are an Economic Force
Veterans are a force to be reckoned with, not just in the military but also in the U.S. business sector. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, Veterans own over 1.9 million businesses, employing nearly 5.5 million Americans. These businesses span various sectors, including professional services and real estate, and many of them are franchises.
The International Franchise Association reports that Veterans makeup approximately 7% of the population, own 14% of franchises, and are more likely to hire fellow Veterans. This data underscores Veterans' significant role in the U.S. economy and the potential for franchise ownership as a fulfilling career path.
Why do so many Veterans choose to own a franchise? At Neighborly®, we’ve found that our home services franchises enable Veterans to take advantage of their unique skills while allowing them to build a financial future. The skills developed during active duty are those needed to be a business owner.
Franchise ownership offers a unique blend of structure and entrepreneurship, making it an excellent option for Veterans. A Neighborly franchise, for instance, provides the necessary framework and regular guidance while still allowing the Veteran business owner the freedom to grow their business through dedication, creativity, and hard work, all qualities instilled during active military service.
This balance of organization and autonomy is crucial, as Veterans are accustomed to such a blend. The franchise model enables them to serve their communities and build a business that reflects their values and interests, a key aspect of career satisfaction.
Top Business Ownership Ideas for Veterans
As noted, some of the most popular franchises for Veterans are in professional services and real estate. Owning a home services franchise is a natural fit. Home services are always in high demand. Per Verified Market Research, as of 2023, the U.S. home services market was valued at $90.46 billion and is projected to grow to $156.29 billion by 2030, a 7.1% growth rate.
While on active duty, Veterans provided critical, meaningful services that improved people’s lives. The home services market enables Veterans to continue serving people in important ways. Franchises cater to businesses and homeowners.
Some of the top home service business ideas for Veterans include:
- Property management
- Home and business cleaning (for example, windows, general janitorial, dryer vents)
- Home maintenance (for example, air conditioning, appliance repair, electrical, plumbing)
- Home and business remodeling and repair (for example, interior remodels, handyperson services, roofing services)
- Landscaping
- Pest control
- Property damage restoration and remediation
- Home inspections
With so many options for Veterans within the home services industry, finding a business idea that aligns with your interests, utilizes your skills, and will support your professional and personal goals is possible.
Veterans and Neighborly: A Great Partnership
Neighborly’s (formerly The Dwyer Group) founder, Don Dwyer, Sr., knew that many Veterans were uniquely qualified to manage workforces, grow their businesses, and serve their communities. For this reason, he founded VetFran in 1991, as a way to support veterans returning from the Gulf War by helping them transition into the civilian economy through franchising.
The VetFran program is a strategic initiative of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the IFA Foundation. Neighborly has always welcomed Veterans into our family of brands with this rich foundational pillar. VetFran’s mission is to educate veterans and franchisors about the benefits of franchising for veterans and to facilitate their transition into franchise ownership by offering discounts and incentives.
This initiative has helped thousands of veterans find new career opportunities and become successful franchise owners. Combined with our relatively low startup costs, Neighborly can make your dream of business ownership a reality.
Are you ready to learn more about owning a franchise with the assistance of Neighborly? Start by downloading the Make Franchise Ownership Your Next Mission e-book.
