6 Things Veterans Need to Know to Build a Brick-and-Mortar Business

In 2013, Marine Corps veteran Brian Krusz entered the car wash business. The northeast Ohio native didn't expect to fall in love with the car wash business but, seven years and six of his Sgt. Clean Car Wash locations later, his surprise love is treating him well.

"We had to go to the '3 Fs' -- friends, fools and family -- asking for money," Krusz said. "We wanted to buy it, rebrand, fix the inside up and have a contest to rename the car wash. People knew I was in the Marine Corps so it became Sgt. Clean, and it's worked out so far."

It not only worked out, but Krusz and Sgt. Clean have made Inc.'s Vet100 List, the Fastest Growing Veteran Companies in 2018 and 2019. They also made Inc.'s 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list for the past three years.

Today, veterans can start a home business for nearly any product, whether they're sewing it at home, roasting it at home or just offering services that can be performed from anywhere. Krusz wants aspiring veterans entrepreneurs to be prepared for the unexpected, because there are always surprises and he takes great pride in assisting other veteran business owners either get started or get ahead.