Your military service is an asset. So is your experience. You learned to lead people, make decisions fast, and finish the mission. None of that changes after your military transition.
For many veterans, business ownership is a chance to redefine their career and build something of their own. You may want to monetize a specialized skill, launch a long-standing idea, or have more control over your income.
And you’re not alone. According to the Small Business Administration, 1.6 million American veteran entrepreneurs employ roughly 3.3 million workers and generate $984 billion in annual sales.
Still, starting a business raises questions that military experience alone can’t answer. How much capital will you need? When can you pay yourself? How will your business impact your family’s finances?
You don’t need every answer on day one. However, understanding the strengths you bring — and where you need guidance — is a good place to start.
Why Veterans Make Strong Business Owners
Starting a business is hard. A supplier misses a delivery. An employee makes a critical mistake. A client’s priorities shift halfway through a project. The military prepares veterans for these exact situations, so it’s no wonder many vets are highly successful entrepreneurs.
Veterans are natural risk-takers trained to lead teams, pivot quickly when the unexpected happens, and execute under stress. They’ve got a high tolerance for uncertainty, and problem-solving under pressure is familiar territory.
They’re also experienced in managing diverse teams. They know how to communicate clearly, delegate, and build accountability. Those leadership skills translate directly into managing and motivating employees to work toward shared goals.
Vets are trained to respond to changing conditions, anticipate obstacles, and find solutions with limited time or resources. That adaptability helps when your business faces operational disruptions or market conditions change.
Above all, like most vets you are mission driven. The same strong sense of purpose and discipline you developed in the military keeps setbacks from derailing your goals or progress. You stay focused on long-term impact, community support, and building a legacy rather than short-term gains.
Planning for the Financial Side
Startup costs add up fast. Funding options can feel overwhelming. And early choices can shape everything that follows. At Living Legacy, our advisory team of CExPs and CFPs understands firsthand the problems business owners face. We collaborate with veteran entrepreneurs from the first idea to the final exit and connect it all to their long-term financial strategy.
As proud veterans ourselves, we take your success seriously. Every veteran’s path is different. Your business strategy should be too.
Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). OSJ: 5280 CARROLL CANYON ROAD, SUITE 300, SAN DIEGO CA, 92121, 619-6846400. Securities products and advisory services offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. LIVING LEGACY FINANCIAL INSURANCE SERVICES LLC is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. Insurance products offered through WestPac Wealth Partners and Insurance Services, LLC, a DBA of WestPac Wealth Partners, LLC. CA Insurance License #0F64319, AR Insurance License #9233390 | This material is intended for general use. By providing this content Park Avenue Securities LLC and your financial representative are not undertaking to provide investment advice or make a recommendation for a specific individual or situation, or to otherwise act in a fiduciary capacity. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents and employees do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Consult your tax, legal, or accounting professional regarding your situation. | 9214892.1 Exp. 10/28