How a ‘Blue-Collar Entrepreneur’ Model Is Opening New Doors for Veteran Founders

Veterans make up nearly one-tenth of America’s business community, yet far more of them have the mindset, grit and leadership instincts to succeed as entrepreneurs. What they often lack is the right pathway. That is where Troy Beane, retired Coast Guard Major and Founder & CEO of Veterans Executive Leadership (VXL), believes the game needs to change.

The numbers suggest a strong foundation. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, about 9 percent of all U.S. businesses today are veteran-owned. Veterans leave service with discipline, resilience, the ability to solve problems in real time, and a deep understanding of teamwork. These traits are invaluable in entrepreneurship. But Beane notes something important: many veterans look toward the wrong kinds of businesses when they plan their entrepreneurial future.

People instinctively associate entrepreneurship with glossy startups, bleeding-edge tech and high-risk ventures. Yet, the most accessible and often the most profitable opportunities lie in the blue-collar economy. Plumbing, HVAC, trucking, contracting sectors that rarely make headlines but generate strong, consistent revenue and have high demand.

Beane argues that these businesses are far more aligned with the financial realities and comfort zones of most veterans. He has spent years helping veterans acquire small, cash-flowing companies, and his conclusion is simple: these overlooked sectors could be the fastest route to ownership for thousands of former servicemembers.

He outlines six reasons why the blue-collar model positions veterans for long-term success.

There are more acquisition opportunities available. Many blue-collar businesses are owned by aging founders preparing for retirement, creating a pipeline of companies ready for transition. Veterans don’t need massive upfront capital to enter these industries, making the financial leap less intimidating. The risk-reward ratio is also healthier because these businesses often have stable demand and loyal customer bases.

Another advantage: resources are easier to access. Banks, mentorship networks and veteran-focused organizations are more comfortable supporting straightforward, service-based operations. It also helps that veterans already possess relevant skills — leadership, operational discipline, logistics, crisis management — which transfer cleanly into running a small service business.

Most importantly, these businesses are built on fundamentals, not fads. They are less exposed to rapid disruption by AI and other emerging technologies. That stability can be a big deal for veterans transitioning into civilian life while managing family responsibilities, financial obligations or the simple desire for predictable income.

Beane believes veterans are natural entrepreneurs. They just need a model that fits their strengths and avoids unnecessary complexity. Blue-collar businesses provide exactly that.

Through VXL, Beane and his veteran partners have already completed four business deals and are working toward a goal of one hundred. His mission is to guide veterans through the entire process sourcing opportunities, acquiring businesses, and running them successfully. It is a full-circle system designed to create more veteran owners, not just veteran employees.

Beane’s own background reflects the ethos he promotes. Before founding VXL, he served in the Air Force, Army and Pennsylvania National Guard, and later became a minority owner and COO at Greencastle Associates Consulting, an all-veteran firm advising Fortune 500 companies. His career spans deployments, leadership roles and entrepreneurial ventures a combination that shaped the blueprint he now shares with others.

For veterans looking for a future that offers stability, independence and purpose, Beane believes the path is clear. Entrepreneurship is within reach. They just need to look beyond the tech spotlight and toward the blue-collar backbone of the American economy where opportunity is waiting for them.