Successful Transitioning Stories

By Dr. Julie Ducharme www.synergylearninginstitute.org

Jason Miller

I love talking with super-star veterans like Jason Miller! Jason and his wife spent a combined 25 years in service to their country in the United States Military while simultaneously growing and scaling multiple businesses and setting them on autopilot with the correct staffing and systems put in place. Jason is a seasoned CEO with overwhelming passion to help other business owners and CEOs succeed. Jason has built several companies of his own from the ground up since 2001. Jason is also the creator of the famous Strategic Advisor Board Podcast “War Room Round Table” (Top 1.5% podcasts Worldwide).

Jason is a 9x Bestselling Author and 8x international Bestselling Author, and his 8 published books have been featured at Barnes and Noble stores worldwide and are also available on Amazon. Jason donates all his book sales to “Homes for Heroes” of which donations have played a part in building multiple homes for Wounded Warriors.

What was it like with both you and your wife being in the military?

It’s a delicate balance, I hit most of the deployments and she was able to skip that. Since I had been in for 15 and my wife had been in for 4, we decided that I would stay in and she would retire. I did a total of 23 years. And as we built these companies while I was in the military, I was making more money than Generals and I just felt it was time to be my own boss and retire.

How did you balance running a business while you were still in the military?

I started the first one in 2001 and it was basically a wholesale business, buy and sell and ship stuff from overseas and brand it as my own. We made a ton of money off eBay, and that was when eBay was the wild west with no real rules. We did well with it. But it was very taxing, and it required so much of my time that I closed that one down and then I started the second one, after that the rest is history.

How did you move from one business to 11 companies that you currently operate?

The real answer is by accident. For example, I am a sports guy and I love sports memorabilia. And I would get these great pieces built for myself and people started asking me if I could do that for their stuff. This was totally by accident, people just loved how I designed these things. I did a joint venture deal with an Art Gallery in Washington.

They would do all the production of it and then certify it as a piece of art. All I had to do was the layout or design but towards the end I wasn’t even doing that. Unfortunately, 08 killed that business and then I just started another one.

What are some tips you can give to Veterans just coming out of the military who maybe struggling with resiliency?

My motto is “put your foot on the gas and don’t let off”. I didn’t build this empire by sitting on the fence. I went through so many failures. My wife always jokes with me and says I don’t have any clue how you do this stuff. Fail fast, get it out of the way then move on. A lot of people say I am the king of overdoing. And that is true.

Which of all your companies was your favorite that you really enjoyed creating or working with?

I have been with Will Black and Sharing the Credit for 3 years. I sit as a senior chair on his company as a business with heart that is the one. It’s all about giving back. They are the only company that has an approved letter from the IRS that says you can take money from a bank and give it to a charity. That was one of the most giving organizations I helped build. My biggest challenge was the Strategic Advisory Board, we have 280 partners in this company. That is a beast of a company.

What are some final tips for our veterans transitioning out?

No matter what you do, latch yourself to a mentor on the way out. It does not have to be a business mentor, just someone in the community that you can have conversations with. I still meet with my mentor every Monday. It’s a way to get yourself away from the grind of things and put yourself in a different positive environment. When people retire from the military, they realize that their entire support system disappeared overnight. And if you are by yourself that is when all the demons start creeping in, and the PTSD starts. Get out and don’t lose your support structure.

To see all Jason is doing and as well all his companies visit: www.jasonmiller.vip/

To see how we help and support veterans transitioning out of the military check out our school www.synergylearninginstitute.org

“Remembrance of Chris”

www.HomelandMagazine.com

Transitioning out of the Military into the Civilian Workforce?

Finding a job in the civilian world may seem easy at first. After all, you have learned skills, practiced leadership and demonstrated initiative that will make you successful wherever you go.

The reality, though, is that it can be difficult. In fact, it can be downright depressing, demotivating and you may feel totally disillusioned.

Veterans In Transition is dedicated to you and to helping you succeed in your transition.

For editorial & monthly columns regarding transitioning to business, career advice, tips, workshops, transition to education, entrepreneurship, straight-forward legal tips for Military and Veteran Business Owners and more visit Veterans In Transition at www.tinyurl.com/Veterans-In-Transition