The Veteran Pathway Strengthening Our Nation’s Future: From Military Service to Entrepreneurial Success

Key Takeaways

• Veteran business ownership is a powerful force for strengthening communities and inspiring future service.
• Structured support systems like Neighborly and ZeroMils significantly boost Veteran success in business.
• The qualities that make Veterans strong business owners, resilience, mission focus, and leadership, are valuable for everyone.
  

The all-volunteer force turned 52 this summer, but it’s not aging well. Young Americans are expressing significantly less interest in serving, and willingness to join the military has fallen to historic lows.

While many leaders in the public and private sectors are calling on big companies and institutions to influence perception and propensity to serve, we believe the most powerful solution rests with the more than two million Veterans who own small businesses in America. Their successes, and the stories behind them, can inspire a more positive narrative and shape how young people view military service because America thrives when Veterans are empowered to lead, serve, and build strong communities.

How Veterans Have Historically Driven Local Leadership and Entrepreneurship

This isn’t a new phenomenon. Veterans have historically over-indexed on business ownership, dating back to World War II, when more than 12 percent of Americans served. It was a conscripted force, but it included countless volunteers like our grandfathers.

German immigrant Henry Schmiegel came to the United States in 1929. Two years later, he enlisted in what would become the Army Air Corps, serving 22 years as a mechanic. Nearly a decade after fighting a war, he retired and became an inventor, entrepreneur, and small business owner in his New Jersey community.

Another Garden State native, Samuel Ellis, trained as a carpenter before enlisting in the Navy in his mid-20s. He deployed to the South Pacific in 1943 and, after returning home, went on to serve his community for seven decades — as a small business owner, volunteer firefighter, and leader in the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Like millions of Veterans who returned from WWII, our grandfathers were not only successful business owners but pillars of their communities. They coached youth sports, volunteered in local schools and churches, and inspired the next generation — many of whom went on to serve in Vietnam, the Gulf War, and beyond.

What they didn’t have — but certainly would have benefited from — is the support system provided by national franchisors who help Veterans go into business for themselves, but not by themselves.

Where Military Service and Business Ownership Intersect

Today, Veterans represent 14 percent of all franchise business owners, despite being only 7 percent of the population. And according to the Office of Small Business Programs, Veterans are 45 percent more likely than civilians to start and operate a small business. These numbers reflect what we already know: Veterans enter the private sector with leadership experience, operational discipline, resilience, and a mission-first mindset.

That’s exactly why organizations like Neighborly®, the world’s leader in home services franchises, have made Veteran entrepreneurship a core priority for decades. Through programs like VetFran — founded in 1991 by Don Dwyer Sr. to support Veterans transitioning into franchising — Neighborly has invested in making business ownership more accessible and more successful for those who served.

Today, Neighborly continues that legacy with expanded training, financial incentives, and a dedicated Veteran development strategy. With more than 4,800 franchises across the U.S. and 19 award-winning home service brands, Neighborly has built one of the most supportive and scalable systems for Veterans seeking to own and grow a business.

Helping Veterans Thrive Through Business Together

This commitment is precisely what fueled the alliance between Neighborly and ZeroMils, a social impact company founded by Veterans for Veterans. Together, our shared mission is to create Military Thriving™ Action Coalition (MTAC) cultures and communities, ensuring Veterans have a clear pathway to entrepreneurship, the tools to succeed, and support networks to help them thrive long after their military service ends.

Through collaborative initiatives like MTAC, specialized pathways for Veteran small businesses, and dedicated programming for Veteran candidates, the Neighborly – ZeroMils partnership is demonstrating what's possible when two mission-driven organizations work together: we strengthen the American economy, invest in local communities, and inspire the next generation to serve. These programs mobilize Veterans and military-connected individuals for collective action, amplifying their positive impact.

As service-disabled Veteran small business owners ourselves, we are committed to giving Veterans — like our grandfathers — opportunities to thrive as entrepreneurs; put down roots; and weave their own stories into the fabric of the neighborhoods where they live, work, and serve.

Veterans and their families deserve a community that recognizes their purpose and potential here at home. Family-oriented values underpin the success of Veterans, providing support, loyalty, and connection that are crucial for thriving in civilian life. Creating supportive environments for Veterans in the workplace leads to stronger talent pipelines and more resilient communities.

At the center of everything they do is the hope for a better America — one they were once willing to defend with their lives. It is also important to hear Veterans' stories and experiences, as these voices inspire and educate others.

More than 11 million men and women have volunteered to serve since 1973. It will be the same leadership, grit, and sense of duty they brought to the frontlines that will help our economy grow, inspire future generations, and strengthen America’s future.

In his opening statement before the House Committee on Small Business, ZeroMils Co-Founder & CEO Kevin Schmiegel called for a new kind of support for Veteran entrepreneurs: a Military Thriving® movement that treats Veteran small business owners as the next engine of growth in this country. Watch the clip below.

Kevin Schmiegel and Paul Cucinotta are New Jersey natives and retired Marine Veterans. They are the co-founders of ZeroMils, a social impact company dedicated to building Military Thriving™ cultures and communities through alliances like the one with Neighborly.

Inspiring the Next Generation Through Action

Service takes many forms, and the skills, discipline, and leadership it cultivates can open doors far beyond the initial path. For Veterans, franchise ownership with support from organizations like Neighborly and ZeroMils transforms military experience into thriving businesses, community impact, and lasting legacies.

But the lesson extends to everyone: dedication, resilience, and a mission-driven mindset can guide anyone toward opportunities that create purpose, inspire others, and strengthen communities.

By embracing the possibilities beyond service—whether in the military, public service, or any committed endeavor—we can all contribute to a stronger economy, vibrant neighborhoods, and a brighter future for our nation.

FAQs

1. How do military skills translate to franchise ownership?
   

   A: Veterans bring leadership, discipline, resilience, and a mission-first mindset to every challenge. These qualities make them well-suited to manage franchises, handle operational responsibilities, and grow successful businesses. Programs like VetFran and partnerships with organizations like Neighborly provide the support and training needed to turn military experience into business success.
   
   

2. How does Neighborly support Veterans in franchising?
   

   A: Neighborly has a long-standing commitment to Veteran entrepreneurship through initiatives like VetFran. They offer financial incentives, training programs, mentorship, and a supportive franchise network to help Veterans succeed in business while continuing to make a positive impact in their communities.
   
   

3. Can non-Veterans benefit from the same principles discussed in this article?
   

   A: Absolutely. While the article focuses on Veterans, the key principles—leadership, discipline, mission-driven work, and leveraging support networks—apply to anyone seeking to turn their skills and experience into meaningful entrepreneurship or community impact.
   
   

4. What is ZeroMils, and how does it work with Neighborly?
   

   A: ZeroMils is a social impact company founded by Veterans for Veterans. Partnering with Neighborly, they create Military Thriving™ programs that guide Veterans through franchise ownership, provide mentorship, and build supportive networks—helping Veterans thrive as entrepreneurs while positively impacting communities.