Veterans aim for civilian success as business owners
I am honored to work closely with men and women in the armed forces. Twice during the past year, I have given talks to retired and active military and their spouses as they transition into civilian life. I do this through the USO Pathfinder® program, which prepares veterans professionally to enter the civilian workforce. In my work with this program, I provide free educational seminars teaching about business ownership in general, business ownership through franchising, the pros and cons of each, and how to finance their endeavors.
I love giving back to our military who have sacrificed so much for our country. There is no better reward than seeing some of them become entrepreneurs through franchising, and I’ve placed two in the past 12 months.
One candidate had just retired after 20-plus years and was thinking about entering logistics. After my seminar, we met for an appointment. In talking to him, I discovered his true passion was sports and working with kids to develop their self-esteem and athleticism. I placed him with D1 Sports Training, and he was awarded a territory in Frisco, Texas, which is near Dallas. Not only did he become a franchise owner, but he also became a franchise owner in something he was passionate about.
“Jessica Melendez is awesome. As I was transitioning from the military, there was one thing that I had in my mind: I wanted to be a business owner. I did not want to work for anyone. I wanted to ensure that I had a lot of free time for myself. As I brainstormed and tried to see what relevant skills applied to me in the civilian sector, the Pathfinders program introduced me to Jessica Melendez, who is the CEO of West Star Franchise Group. After she gave her speech, it re-energized me to become a business owner. Jessica helped me to search the myriad of opportunities to find my perfect fit. Although it was overwhelming on many occasions to try to find the perfect fit, she was very helpful and was able to match me with Global Financial Training Program, where I was able to become a commercial financial broker. Five-star ratings for Jessica and 2 Thumbs up.” – Orane B., United States Army
My other candidate is still active military and his wife is a veteran. They wanted a business where she could work from home, have flexibility, and be able to network and build relationships. We spent several months working together until we found the perfect match. They are now the proud owners of Expedited Financial Services under Global Financial, through which they provide funding for B2B and B2C clients. Their diverse portfolio can provide financing for just about anything. Because their business operates remotely, this couple also can fund anyone in any part of the country. They plan to move, and that’s no problem – their business will relocate right along with them.
Not surprisingly, veterans and their spouses make some of the best franchisees. They know how to follow a proven system, they are willing to work hard, and they understand ultimate sacrifice. They also receive discounts on the franchise fee, and they have special funding options. I hope more and more veterans can achieve their dreams of business ownership.
– Jessica Melendez, CFC
A trainer and mentor for FranServe, Inc., the world’s largest franchise consulting firm, and the CEO of WestStar Franchise Group, Jessica Melendez coaches and educates prospective franchise owners and helps them find businesses that align with their personal and professional ambitions. As a past franchise owner herself, Melendez has first-hand experience in all aspects of franchising, which makes her an excellent resource for prospective franchisees. Contact Melendez at 915-202-8272 or Jessica@weststarfranchisegroup.com or visit www.weststarfranchisegroup.com