Michael Almeida’s motivation for helping others is the undercurrent that brought him to serve in the military, and the fuel that drives him in his role in the independent home improvement channel today.
Almeida served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2002 to 2009 as a machine gunner after the events of 9/11 moved him to military service.
“My favorite part of serving was the bond I created with some of the most wonderful brothers I served with,” he says.
Transitioning into civilian life, Almeida struggled to find his purpose after serving in the Marines. Although he wasn’t sure the career path he would take, he was sure of two things: he did not want to carry a gun for a job anymore and he did not want to work in an outside trade job, as most of his young life was spent in a desert environment wearing weighted vests and other heavy gear.
In 2015, owners David and Amy Doyle of Sunset and Co. Home, Hardware and Gift, an independent hardware store in San Antonio, Texas, took Almeida in as an employee at their store, an act he says he is forever grateful for.
“David and Amy were extremely patient with me and allowed me to find purpose over the years,” Almeida says. “They inspired me with their care of their business, and they also helped me understand the benefit of listening and delivering solutions for the customers.”
Almeida found a true calling in serving customers at this level and saw the impact of his work firsthand through receiving handwritten notes, emails and reviews from customers showing their appreciation. Today, he serves as the regional hardware manager for the company, overseeing and building culture at three Sunset and Co. franchise locations.
“I think the ethos and values we gained from the military are instrumental in my leadership roles as I still learn daily how to improve in the civilian sector workforce,” he says.
The personality of military veterans and the sense of belonging to a unit versus a corporation are reasons Almeida believes make veterans an excellent fit for the independent channel.
“I am emphatic with the independent channel of retail and how we can compete at a national level against big-box chains,” he says. “The relationships we build are more valuable than the day-to-day transactions.”
Paying Tribute
While there is no way to repay the sacrifices made by veterans of the armed forces, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) recognizes that not only have these individuals made a lasting impact on their country, but they are also a prominent and positive influence within the home improvement industry.
To honor the ongoing impact military veterans make throughout the home improvement industry,
NHPA launched the Helmets to Home Improvement recognition program, with the National Hardware Show (NHS) as the program’s official founding sponsor and venue partner.
We need your help honoring these amazing men and women. Please visit YourNHPA.org/veterans to nominate a Helmets to Home Improvement honoree.