Service Doesn't End with the Uniform: Veterans Building What's Next

Every Veterans Day, we recognize the men and women who have served our country. But there's another chapter to their service: what they build after taking off the uniform.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, veteran-owned small businesses generate approximately $1.3 trillion in annual sales and employ around four million Americans.Behind those numbers are thousands of former service members starting businesses, creating jobs, and strengthening their local communities using the skills and leadership they gained in the military.

This year, one of those journeys hits close to home for us at FLEX.

Meet Matt Philie

Matt is married to FLEX Executive Vice President Kelsey Philie, and in September, he acquired his own business as a veteran entrepreneur.

A West Point graduate and UH-60 Blackhawk pilot, Matt transitioned out of the Army in 2021 and got his MBA from UVA Darden School of Business. His experience watching his dad build his own consulting business and the courses he took at Darden opened his eyes to entrepreneurship. Matt had led teams in Afghanistan and beyond, and he knew that the leadership, level-headedness, and critical thinking skills that he had gained in the Army would translate easily to entrepreneurship. 

After a stint in corporate consulting, Matt and his business partner (a Marine veteran and fellow Darden graduate) acquired Industrial Technical Coatings, a Georgia-based industrial coatings company. For both Matt and Myles, their experience in the military paved the way for them to take on the risk—and the reward—of entrepreneurship. 

“The military taught both Myles and me to make decisions under pressure, trust our teams, and adapt when the plan changes. That gave us the confidence to start a business and take on the uncertainty that comes with it. But the goal has always been bigger than getting something off the ground. We’re really proud to be at the helm of a business that is creating opportunities for other people and building a legacy for our families. That responsibility means we’re making decisions today with the next five, ten, and twenty years in mind. There’s risk in that, but there’s also a real sense of purpose in building toward a future you believe in.” - Matt Philie

Different Paths to Entrepreneurship

Matt isn't alone. Veterans and military families across the country have built incredible businesses and organizations grounded in their personal experiences and professional expertise. 

Dawn Halfaker: After losing her right arm while serving in Iraq, Halfaker founded a technology services company supporting federal agencies. She grew Halfaker and Associates into a major government contractor before its acquisition in 2021, then established a foundation supporting other veteran entrepreneurs.

Emily Núñez Cavness: An Army veteran who co-founded Sword & Plough, turning military surplus into bags and accessories. Their Kickstarter campaign raised more than $310,000, launching a business that also supports veteran employment.

Jake Wood and William McNulty: Two Marine veterans who helped organize disaster relief following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Their effort became Team Rubicon, a nonprofit that now mobilizes more than 180,000 people to help communities prepare for and recover from disasters.

Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse: Two military spouses who founded R. Riveter after struggling to maintain careers through frequent relocations. Their handbag company uses a distributed manufacturing model that creates flexible employment opportunities for military spouses and uses military materials in the bags’ designs.

Continuing to Serve

The transition from military service to civilian life can be a challenge, and there’s no single blueprint for post-military life. But the pursuit of entrepreneurship for so many veterans is a reminder that the same skills that make a great military leader are present in great business leaders: the pursuit of excellence, a commitment to values, and a belief in a cause greater than yourself. 

At FLEX, we are proud to partner with veteran-owned and operated organizations in our shared commitment to making an impact.. 

To all who have served, thank you for your service and for the many ways you continue to contribute to our communities.