Built for Leadership, Ready for Business: Veterans Are Born Entrepreneurs
Today, we honor the brave men and women who’ve served our country—those who sacrificed comfort, safety, and predictability to serve something bigger than themselves. We owe our veterans not only thanks, but meaningful opportunities to thrive after their service ends.
One of the most powerful ways to do that? Helping veterans build businesses of their own.
Why Veterans Excel in Entrepreneurship
Veterans are uniquely prepared for entrepreneurial life. Here’s what sets them apart:
- Discipline and execution: Veterans build their routines around systems and structure, making them adept at planning and follow-through.
- Leadership under pressure: Trained to lead teams through chaos and ambiguity, veterans naturally manage people and processes.
- Adaptability and rapid learning: Fast to assess challenges and pivot strategies.
- Resilience: Veterans are hard-wired to overcome setbacks and push through obstacles.
- Strategic problem-solving: Every mission taught veterans to anticipate challenges and devise effective solutions.
In fact, veterans are 45% more likely to start businesses than civilians, and veteran-owned firms consistently report higher survival and success rates, thanks to these military-honed skills. Across America, more than 1.6 million veteran-owned businesses employ over 3 million workers.
The Barrier: Seeing It for Themselves
The problem? Most veterans don’t realize just how transferable their skills are to the civilian business world. Entrepreneurship can look risky, confusing, or out of reach—but that’s simply not true when you have the right guidance.
Veterans often assume business ownership requires skills they don’t have, when in reality, their military experience is the secret advantage. Today’s veteran entrepreneurs are thriving in logistics, construction, technical services, real estate, and more—many achieving performance above national averages.
Veterans As Leaders — My Experience
I’d like to pay special tribute to Edward D. Williams (late) — friend, mentor, and visionary — whose concept and leadership brought to life the Quality Assurance Center of Excellence at Syracuse University. Working alongside him and the CASE Center Co-Op Program, we created an innovative alternative to overseas outsourcing by training and employing veterans, stay-at-home parents, and students. Together, we staffed Fortune 1000 financial and insurance client projects with American talent—many of whom were transitioning service members.
That experience remains one of my proudest achievements. It was proof that when given the opportunity, veterans not only meet the challenge—they set the standard for performance, discipline, and team spirit in business.
Call to Action: Lead Your Next Mission
Veterans don’t just need job placement—they need to be shown how to lead again, this time as founders and builders.
If you’re a veteran—or if you know one—thinking about starting a business but unsure of where to begin, let’s talk. Schedule a free consultation with us:
We’ll work together to:
- Identify the entrepreneurial skills you already have (you’ll be surprised)
- Match you with the right business model for your mindset and strengths
- Take the first steps toward ownership—without wasting time or money
You already served your country. Now it’s time to build something for yourself.
Let’s talk. Schedule your free consultation.
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Fact: Why the Poppy Honors Veterans? The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance after World War I, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields.” The American Legion adopted it in 1920 to honor those who served and sacrificed. Today, the poppy reminds us that freedom isn’t free — it’s earned through courage and service. So when you see one this Veterans Day, take a moment to remember and give thanks.
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Insights from Anwer Qureishi, Thought Leader & Entrepreneur
Ready to accelerate growth? Schedule a Consultation with Anwer Qureishi, Founder, Q&S International (ThinkQSI).