A Path to Business Ownership and Generational Wealth for Southeast Asian Americans

A guide for veterans exploring business ownership and the support that can help them get started If you are a veteran thinking about owning a business, you may be wondering where to begin. You might be preparing to leave active service, reconsidering a civilian career or exploring a different future for your family. Franchising is one path worth understanding because it can offer an established operating framework, training and people to turn to as you learn. This November, as we recognize veterans throughout the franchise community, there is also an opportunity to consider what ownership could look like for you. Your service is part of the experience you bring. The business you choose should also reflect your interests and the life you want to build. Recognize the experience you bring You may already have experience leading people, managing resources or adjusting plans when conditions change. Those responsibilities have clear parallels in a local business. A franchise owner needs to understand operating standards while exercising judgment about employees and customers. Your military experience can provide a useful foundation as you learn a new industry. Clement Troutman offers a useful example. In testimony to Congress in January 2026, the Navy veteran and Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise owner described how military teamwork and familiarity with operating procedures helped him move into business ownership. His account also highlighted his family's involvement. The International Franchise Association's biography of Troutman emphasizes staff development and community outreach as central to his leadership. His experience shows one way skills developed in service can carry into a different kind of work. As you explore opportunities, consider which parts of your background you enjoy using and where you would need training. This can help you compare businesses according to your own strengths and interests. Choose a business that fits your life As a franchise and business consultant, I believe the first conversation should focus on you. What would you enjoy doing each day? You might want to lead a team, work closely with customers or develop a business you can eventually grow into several locations. Understanding the owner's actual responsibilities helps you judge whether an opportunity suits you. Your budget deserves the same attention. Consider the full investment, including the cash needed while the business develops and the effect on household finances. A veteran franchise fee incentive can help with entry costs, but it is only one part of the decision. The size of a discount should never substitute for understanding the business. Speak with current and former franchisees, examine the Franchise Disclosure Document and seek independent legal and accounting advice. Ask about the demands of the work and what surprised owners after opening. You should have room to ask difficult questions and take the time you need to make a considered decision. Know where to find support You can begin learning before you have a franchise picked out. VetFran , a program of the International Franchise Association Foundation, provides franchise education and access to brands offering veteran incentives. The Small Business Administration's Boots to Business introduces service members and military spouses to entrepreneurship. Boots to Business Reboot extends that learning to veterans of all eras in their communities. Veterans Business Outreach Centers offer counseling, training and mentorship. When you begin evaluating a franchise, ask how its own support works. Who helps with your first hiring decisions? How will you learn to market the business locally? Who can you call when initial training is over and you encounter a problem you have never handled before? Look for specific answers, such as a named mentor, scheduled conversations during the early months and access to experienced franchisees. Ask existing owners how those commitments work in practice. Understanding the support available can help you identify what you will need to learn and where you can turn for help. Make room for your family and your timeline If a spouse or partner will share the financial commitment or help run the business, consider bringing them into the conversation early. Discuss the hours you expect to work and how responsibilities at home might change. Clear expectations can make it easier to evaluate an opportunity together. Your timeline matters, too. Whether you recently left the military or have spent years in a civilian career, you can prepare at a pace that works for you. Taking a course, meeting a business counselor or speaking with franchise owners can help you decide what your next step should be. Begin with a conversation Veterans who build businesses can create jobs, help employees develop and serve their neighbors in new ways. As we honor their service this November, we can also recognize the ambitions of those still deciding what comes next. Your questions about ownership deserve thoughtful answers and practical guidance. If you are a veteran considering business ownership, you do not need to have a franchise picked out to begin the conversation. At NextGen Franchise & Business Solutions, we can start with your goals and explore whether franchising fits the life you want to build. I would welcome the opportunity to help you take that first step. About the author Ozzie Grupenmager is a franchise and business consultant and business coach with NextGen Franchise & Business Solutions. A former COO who built and scaled a franchise organization and a former CIO at a major advertising agency, he brings experience across branding, marketing, technology and AI, business systems, and organizational growth.

Every November, our industry pauses to thank the men and women who served. It is the right thing to do. In my work, though, I have come to believe the better way to honor veterans is to help them build what comes next. That belief is the reason a group of us came together to form The Veterans Franchise Council, and it is why I am proud to share what the Council has accomplished so far.  The gap we kept seeing Those of us who work in franchise development talk constantly about the ideal candidate. We want someone who can lead a team, follow a proven system, hold people accountable, and keep going when the plan meets reality. Veterans walk out of the service with those traits already tested under pressure. And yet many of the veterans we met were struggling with the decision. Leaving the military is a major identity shift, and it usually comes with a family to support and a timeline that does not leave much room for error. Some veterans were being pitched the first concept that sounded good. Others had no idea that many franchise brands offer reduced franchise fees or veteran incentive programs. A few had already decided ownership was out of reach before anyone sat down with them and looked at the numbers. We saw talented people either rushing into the wrong deal or walking away from a path that could have fit them well. The Council was our answer to that. Our mission The Veterans Franchise Council exists to help veterans decide, with confidence, whether franchise ownership is the right path before they invest their time, money, and future in it. That first question matters more than any brand pitch. If ownership is not the right move for a veteran's goals, budget, or family, we want them to know that early. When ownership is a fit, we help them find the opportunities that deserve their attention. Our process will feel familiar to anyone who has served: Mission Planning. We start by defining the veteran's goals, budget, family priorities, and what ownership actually needs to accomplish for them. Intelligence Gathering. Together we review the right categories, business models, and the incentive programs available to veterans. Target Selection. We narrow the field to serious candidates that match how the veteran wants to live and operate. Mission Execution. The veteran moves into validation calls, brand conversations, and final due diligence with a clear plan and a team behind them. Veterans pay nothing for this. Our guidance, education, and franchise matching are provided at no cost, with no hidden fees and no obligation. Through the Council, veterans gain access to more than 400 franchise brands and a network of more than 200 franchise consultants. More than $1 million back to veterans The milestone I am proudest of is this one: collectively, the members of the Council have given back more than $1 million to veterans who want to get into franchise businesses. That number represents real people. It is the former squad leader who can now afford the franchise fee on a home services territory. It is the retired officer whose family could finally make the math work on a second career. Every dollar lowers the barrier for someone who already gave a great deal to this country, and it lets them start ownership on stronger financial footing. We did not set out with a dollar target. We set out to do right by the veterans in front of us, and the total grew one family at a time. Crossing the million dollar mark tells us the model works, and it tells us there is far more we can do. The people behind the Council Military service is part of the Council's story, not a footnote to it. Our members represent the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Merchant Marine, alongside franchise professionals who have spent their careers helping people buy and grow businesses. The Council is chaired by Bob Hays, a U.S. Navy veteran. Members include JP Bolat, a retired Navy Commander with a 20 year naval career; Terence West, who served 21 years on active duty in the Army; Josh Polley, an Army squad leader and retention NCO with 18 years of service; and Joshua Best, an Army veteran and multi-unit franchisee. Several members, including Dan Jenkins of the Air Force and former Navy Lieutenant Steve Taylor, own franchises themselves and can speak to the day to day reality of ownership from firsthand experience. My own contribution has come from the franchise development side. I have spent close to twenty years owning and operating businesses and helping brands build and launch their franchise systems. Being a founding member of this group, and working next to people who have led in uniform, has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career. A note to franchisors If your brand already offers a veteran discount or waives part of the franchise fee, thank you. Those programs can materially change the economics for a veteran candidate, and many veterans still do not know they exist. Make them easy to find. Train your development team to talk about them early in the process. If your brand does not have a veteran program yet, this issue is a good reason to start one. In my experience, veterans tend to become the kind of franchisees who follow the system, build strong teams, and lift the performance of the whole network. Investing in them pays off for everyone. How to get involved Veterans who are considering franchise ownership, whether they are preparing to transition out of the service or have been out for years, can request a free, confidential consultation at theveteransfranchisecouncil.com. Franchisors and franchise professionals who want to support the mission are welcome to reach out as well. Our veterans already completed one mission on our behalf. Helping them launch the next one is the least we can do. About the Author Dustin Helms is a founding member of The Veterans Franchise Council and the founder of The Helms Group, a franchise development and consulting firm based in Flower Mound, Texas.

For many military veterans, transitioning to civilian life brings a critical question: What comes next? While some pursue corporate careers, others seek a path offering greater independence, leadership opportunities, and long-term wealth creation. Franchise ownership has become an increasingly attractive option by combining business ownership with proven systems, operational structure, and established brand support. The Veterans Franchise Council (VFC), supported by The Franchise Consulting Company, was created to help veterans explore this path with confidence and clarity. The foundation of the Veterans Franchise Council is simple: veterans helping veterans. Unlike traditional business advisory organizations, the Council comprises professionals who combine franchise expertise with military experience and a firsthand understanding of the transition process. Its mission is to help veterans determine whether franchise ownership truly fits their goals, finances, family priorities, and long-term aspirations before making a significant investment. Military service instills many of the core qualities that successful franchise systems value. Leadership, accountability, adaptability, discipline, and commitment to executing proven processes are reinforced throughout a military career. These characteristics position veterans exceptionally well for franchise ownership, where success depends on following established systems, leading teams, and maintaining operational excellence. What sets the Council apart is its commitment to education over sales. Rather than pushing specific franchise opportunities, the Council focuses on helping each individual evaluate whether business ownership aligns with their personal circumstances. Through a structured discovery process, veterans assess their financial readiness, desired lifestyle, operational strengths, and investment objectives before narrowing their search to concepts that match their vision. The Council recognizes that every veteran's journey is distinct. A recently retired officer, an enlisted service member transitioning out, and a veteran seeking an additional investment vehicle all carry different expectations and resources. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, the Council identifies opportunities that reflect each person's unique timeline, budget, and long-term vision. Crucial to this support is helping veterans navigate the extensive incentives available across the franchise industry. Many brands offer veteran discounts, reduced franchise fees, financing assistance, specialized funding programs, and tailored training. These benefits significantly improve the economics of a franchise investment, providing veterans with the financial efficiency and momentum needed for a successful launch. To further advance veteran entrepreneurship, the Council created initiatives like the Bet On A Vet 100 program. Designed to provide direct financial assistance, the program awards grants that can be paired with existing franchisor incentives. In its first two years alone, Bet On A Vet 100 has distributed nearly $500,000 in grants and fee assistance, helping veterans launch franchises across healthcare, fitness, home services, and technology. Programs like this reinforce the VFC’s commitment to removing financial barriers and empowering veterans to command their economic future. Ultimately, the Council's greatest strength lies in the credibility of shared experience. As the VFC emphasizes, military service is "more than a shared background - it is a shared mindset." Its members understand the weight of leadership, the necessity of accountability, and the realities of transitioning out of uniform. Combined with decades of franchise industry expertise, this perspective fosters a level of trust and insight that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. As franchising remains a powerful path to entrepreneurship, veterans are uniquely equipped to thrive. Having already demonstrated the ability to lead under pressure, adapt dynamically, and execute established systems, they possess a natural operational advantage. Organizations like the Veterans Franchise Council bridge the gap to business ownership by offering objective guidance, education, mentorship, and specialized resources. For veterans seeking their next mission, franchise ownership offers more than a business opportunity, it is a chance to apply military leadership in a new arena, build lasting wealth, and lead with purpose. Guided by the Veterans Franchise Council and The Franchise Consulting Company, transitioning service members can explore these pathways with confidence, backed by a trusted team of peers. Through personalized mentorship, industry connections, and direct financial initiatives like Bet On A Vet 100, the Council stands committed to a single goal: helping veterans build thriving, independent futures through business ownership.  For more information visit: https://www.theveteransfranchisecouncil.com/ About the Author Bob Hays is a Franchise Consultant and member of the Veterans Franchise Council. A former franchise owner himself, Bob brings firsthand experience and strategic insight to his work. He helps individuals and business owners navigate franchise opportunities with confidence, offering informed decision‑making support and expert guidance throughout the process. Contact Bob at: bhays@thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com

How Five-Time Paralympic Medalist Lex Gillette Is Redefining Accessibility, Leadership, and Franchise Opportunity

For prospective franchisees, the most compelling opportunities are rarely the ones with the flashiest logos or the simplest pitches. A better question is this: how many ways can this business create value for customers and revenue for the owner?  A well-designed franchise is rarely just one thing. It might start as a plumbing repair company or a boutique gym, but the strongest models grow complementary revenue around that same customer base and team. A franchise with several logical revenue channels isn't just selling more; it's less exposed when one type of transaction slows down, and it gives an owner more than one lever to pull as the business matures. Looking Beyond the Core Service Most candidates size up a franchise by its most visible offering. A gym sells memberships, a plumber fixes pipes, a senior-care business provides caregivers. That's the foundation, sure. But the better operators ask a follow-up question once they've earned a customer's trust: what else can we responsibly take on? A plumbing franchise might start with emergency repair calls, but that same customer relationship can turn into a water-heater replacement two years later, then an annual maintenance plan. None of that is chasing unrelated sales. It's the business becoming more useful to someone who already trusts it enough to hand over their house key. The catch is that these add-ons only work if they're genuine extensions of the core. Bolt on five service lines that each need their own team, their own marketing, and their own scheduling system, and you've built five small headaches instead of one strong business. The leverage shows up when one crew, trained well, can handle the whole menu. Why Diversification Matters A business tied to one service, one customer type, or one season has fewer places to turn when conditions shift. A landscaping company that only mows lawns has a rough time in a dry summer or a snowless winter; add plowing, mulching, and irrigation work and the calendar fills in on its own. Recurring plans smooth out the revenue curve. Bigger one-off jobs, like a full system replacement, bring in the larger checks. Mixing residential and commercial clients means a slowdown in one doesn't sink the other, and it's the same marketing spend, the same crew, and the same brand doing more with what's already built. Maximizing Customer Relationships Winning a customer in the first place is expensive — ads, sales calls, the whole slog of getting someone to say yes once. Once that's done, the relationship is worth protecting. In businesses where someone's coming into your home or looking after a parent, that trust took real effort to earn, and a customer who's had a good experience usually doesn't shop around next time. A well-run franchise system helps here. The franchisor might hand over the CRM, the scheduling software, and a training program that keeps service consistent across locations. The owner still has to hire the right people and keep expenses in check, but at least they're not building the back office from scratch. A Fit for Different Owners This kind of model draws different people for different reasons. A former corporate manager might like having a few clear growth levers instead of a blank page. Someone who already runs one business might see a shortcut into recurring revenue. Families sometimes split the work naturally: one runs sales, another handles the books, another manages the crews. A first-time owner might stick to the core service for a year or two and layer in the rest once the basics are running smoothly. There's no single right pace, and that's part of the appeal. The Right Questions Diversification sounds good on a sales deck. Before signing anything, it's worth digging into specifics. What's the actual core service, the one that pays the bills day to day? What share of customers use more than one offering, and is that number real or aspirational? Can one crew realistically deliver the whole menu without cutting corners? What licensing, equipment, or extra hires does each add-on actually require? Answering these honestly is usually what separates a business with real depth from one that just sounds good in a pitch meeting.

In an era dominated by headlines about artificial intelligence, large language models, and the automation of the modern workforce, a quiet revolution is happening in the franchise world. Investors and aspiring entrepreneurs are increasingly asking themselves a critical question: What cannot be automated? While code can generate marketing copy, analyze spreadsheets, and manage schedules, it cannot fix a burst pipe, repair a sagging roof, remediate mold, or paint a community community center. This is the power of the property services sector. Comprising essential businesses like restoration, commercial cleaning, pest control, residential remodeling, and landscaping, property services represent an indispensable cornerstone of the local economy. For franchise investors seeking long-term stability, recurring revenue, and absolute protection against technological obsolescence, this sector is emerging as the ultimate frontier. The Physical Reality of an AI-Proof Business The fundamental reason property services franchises are resilient to technological disruption is simple: they require physical execution in a material world. AI can optimize the logistics of a home renovation or diagnose a structural flaw from a digital scan, but it lacks the physical manipulation required to swing a hammer, apply protective coatings, or eradicate termites. Property services operate on the front lines of the physical world. Buildings age, weather causes damage, and infrastructure continuously degrades. According to historical economic data, maintenance and repair are non-discretionary expenses. Whether the broader economy is in a historic bull market or navigating a recession, property owners must maintain their investments. A leaky roof cannot be ignored; a flooded basement must be extracted immediately. This necessity creates a highly stable, counter-cyclical demand profile that software simply cannot displace. Furthermore, these businesses are deeply embedded in their local communities. They rely on trust, physical proximity, and human craftsmanship—qualities that consumers value more than ever in an increasingly digitized society. When an emergency strikes, property owners do not want an automated chatbot; they want a trained, insured, and certified professional at their doorstep. Navigating the Noise: The Franchise Advantage While the demand for property services is undeniable, entering the market independently carries immense risk. Building a brand from scratch, establishing supply chains, mastering local regulatory compliance, and developing proprietary operational systems require years of trial and error. This is where the franchise model provides an unfair advantage. A property services franchise delivers a proven blueprint for execution. Franchisees step into a recognized brand with established vendor relationships, national corporate accounts, and sophisticated digital marketing structures that capture local search volume instantly. However, the sheer volume of available franchise options in the property services space can be overwhelming. From niche exterior restoration models to massive commercial cleaning networks, the market is crowded with competing concepts, territory structures, and investment tiers. For an executive or investor looking to transition into ownership, identifying the right vehicle requires filtering through an immense amount of marketing noise. The Critical Role of the Franchise Consultant This complexity underscores the absolute necessity of partnering with a professional franchise consultant. Trying to evaluate hundreds of property services concepts solo is akin to navigating a dense forest without a compass. A consultant acts as a strategic advisor, filtering the vast landscape of options through the lens of an investor's specific goals, capital requirements, and regional dynamics. Franchise consultants provide a vital layer of due diligence. They analyze territory availability to ensure a concept isn't already saturated in a specific market. More importantly, they help investors look past the shiny brochures to understand the actual operational mechanics of a brand: What is the true cost of customer acquisition? How robust is the franchisor’s training program for recruiting technical labor? What do the financial disclosures (Item 19) reveal about top-tier earner performance? A consultant ensures that an investor’s unique skills—whether in sales pipeline management, executive leadership, or operational scaling—align perfectly with the franchise system's demands. Unlocking Local Opportunities The best franchise opportunity is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it is highly hyper-local. A property services brand that thrives in a densely populated urban center might struggle in a sprawling suburban or rural territory. Demographic trends, regional climate patterns, and local construction booms all dictate which brands will capture the highest market share. A skilled franchise consultant possesses the market intelligence necessary to identify these specific local vacuums. They look at territory data to spot underserved demands within a community—such as a rising need for commercial eco-cleaning or a deficit in high-end residential restoration services. By matching an incoming franchisee with an optimized, exclusive territory that matches local economic tailwinds, consultants transform a blind investment into a calculated strategic expansion. The Bottom Line As the digital economy becomes more volatile and automated, the tangible economy becomes increasingly valuable. Property services franchises offer a rare combination of recession-resilience, predictable cash flow, and total immunity to AI replacement. By leveraging the expertise of a franchise consultant, aspiring business owners can cut through the industry noise, avoid costly missteps, and secure the premier opportunities tailored specifically to their communities. In a world of virtual assets, investing in the physical preservation of our communities remains one of the safest bets available.  About the Author Ron Filian is the managing partner of FranExecutive, a franchise consulting firm.

Turning Decades of Holistic Wellness Experience Into a Franchise Built for Growth

Why healthspan, mobility and proactive care are redefining what it means to age well

Why 1+1 Cares is disrupting traditional home care by replacing heavy back-office overhead with a high-margin, referral-driven model.