Military Preps Retailers for Store Ownership

The journey one takes to become an independent retailer is a little different for everyone. Whether one joined their family business after attending college or another decided to pursue a new venture as an entrepreneur, the road to business management and ownership doesn’t happen overnight.

One unique group of retailers that have found their place in the industry with the skills and traits they learned along the way are military veterans.

From grit and determination to succeed to leadership skills and preparing for the unknown, time serving in the military lays a solid foundation for those who make their way into the hardware industry.

Military Experience Strengthens Determination to Succeed

For Dan Berry, president of Paradise Home Center in Union, South Carolina, serving for his country had been a lifelong dream. So when he got a nomination from his senator’s office to attend West Point, he was eager to succeed.

However, his first semester at West Point proved to be a challenge, and Berry says he realized the difficult truth from an eyeball-to-eyeball conversation with an instructor.

“The military helps you grow up quickly,” Berry says. “I was 18 years old and in the first three months, I was failing two classes and had yet to pass my physical test. This guy came in, sat in my room with my file and basically told me I had nothing going for me. He told me I had two months to get into gear, smiled and walked out.”

For Berry, this experience made him realize that if he didn’t get his grades up and improve his physical stamina, his dreams would come to a screeching halt.

“This type of situation reminds you that your mom and dad aren’t there anymore—it’s sink or swim,” Berry says. “I got my grades up, I made the Dean’s list and I got in shape. I was one of only 11 cadets that made it through Army Ranger School, and I ran two marathons while at West Point.”

Berry went on to serve in the Army Infantry and got out in 1995, and soon after he took over the family home improvement business. Yet the many things he learned from his time in the Army continue to shape the way he runs the business today.

“For me personally, the military honed in me a sense of challenge and adventure,” Berry says. “It forces structure into a very busy life. I volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, my church and many organizations in the community. A lack of discipline and structure can come back to haunt you.”

Veteran Uses Leadership Skills to Strengthen Business

For Jeremy Magnuson of Magnuson Ace Hardware in Friendswood, Texas, his time in the Marine Corps Reserves and later on in the U.S. Air Force helped him prepare to open his own business and face challenges head on.

“The military teaches you to push through some really tough scenarios, and that level of determination most certainly applies to business,” Magnuson says. “My store opened the day after Hurricane Ike struck Texas. Part of the roof of my store was torn off before we even opened, and I came in opening day to find three inches of standing water throughout my store. Things aren’t always pretty. You power through.”

In addition to utilizing traits such as perseverance and grit, especially during difficult times, Magnuson says leadership is the core skill he utilizes from his time in the military.

“As an officer in the military, it was my duty to lead teams—and I need to lead, motivate and inspire my Ace team,” Magnuson says. “Being in the military taught me how to solve problems, and I can apply those skills to the needs of my team, so we can in turn have the best possible business.”

Hiring Other Veterans Improves Business

For Shannon McCormick of Main Street Supply in Lakin, Kansas, he decided to serve in the Army after attending college for a few years.

“I attended college for a couple of years and I wasn’t excited about it, so I decided to join the Army,” McCormick says. “The biggest thing I learned from my time in Army was discipline.”

While he had initially found college to be a challenge, McCormick says his time serving made him realize his 20-hour commitment a semester was not as hard as he originally believed.

“I realized that commitment in college was pretty easy after going through the things I experienced in the military,” he says. “After I finished serving, I decided to go back and finished my college education.”

In addition to finding the strength to return to school, McCormick says he also learned to not let hardships stop him.

“It can be easy to get discouraged when you work in the retail business,” he says. “My time in the army helped me from getting discouraged quickly, and that has transferred to my thoughts in business.”

He’s hired other military veterans to work in hist store, too.

“I have and would still hire military veterans,” he says. “Based on their sense of responsibility, these individuals are a good fit. I’ve had several veterans work for me, and it was never a problem for them to get up early and do a job or stay late.”