Photo courtesy James King
A recent study from The Sage
Group and the National Veteran-Owned
Business Association (NaVOBA),
revealed that a staggering 815,000
jobs nationwide have been created due
to veteran-owned franchisees, which
contributes an impressive $41 billion to
the U.S. GDP each year.
In order to support these numbers,
Authority Brands is committed to
building a team of corporate-level
veteran staff members so that veteran
franchise owners feel a sense of
camaraderie and mentorship while
on the job. Veterans like to work with
other veterans because their similar
backgrounds, shared experiences and
diverse set of skills makes working with
each other more natural and seamless.
As franchise owners navigate the
challenges and successes of owning a
business, they are now able to tap into
additional resources, such as veteran
staff members — provided to them
by the franchisor — so that they feel
more supported holistically. A pool and
spa industry example of this holistic
franchise support is James King.
After 30 years of dedicated U.S.
military service in the Air Force and
Marine Corps, James King, along with
his wife Ellen, embarked on a new
mission as business owners in the
swimming pool service industry. They
have owned America’s Swimming Pool
(ASP) Company of Springfield, Va.,
since 2012. The couple met when they
were both enlisted in the Air Force and
quickly fell in love because they shared
many of the same leadership qualities
and desire to serve others.
“The past 11-plus years as ASP
franchise owners have shown me and
my wife that veterans are very well-suited
for the structure of franchising,”
says King. “Many of us share a drive to
succeed, which helps with the day-to-day
of running a business. We have learned
to take initiative and solve problems
through confident leadership and clear
communication.
“I believe military veterans develop
very useful skills in project management,
directing staff and administering
programs. Also, customers typically
recognize and appreciate our strong
work ethic and professional integrity, so
being a veteran-owned business helps
with our credibility and ultimately, our
business.”
This article first appeared in the February 2024 issue of AQUA Magazine — the top resource for retailers, builders and service pros in the pool and spa industry. Subscriptions to the print magazine are free to all industry professionals. Click here to subscribe.