By Nick Lambie
Aside from combat and serving on the front lines, one of the biggest challenges many military members face is the transition from active service to civilian life. For me, moving from my role as an Air Force Master Sergeant to becoming a business owner was a journey that required me to lean on the values and skills I developed in uniform.
I come from a long line of veterans in my family. During my time in service, I worked as a Command & Control Battlefield Management Operator and Surveillance Technician, coordinating airborne aircraft missions and supporting operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Though the intense responsibilities and skills didn’t seem to align with a typical civilian job market, my role did teach me the importance of precision, leadership and staying calm under pressure—all lessons that would eventually become the foundation of how I run my business.
I left active duty in 2017 to spend time with my wife and our growing family. It was at that time that I was trying to determine “what’s next” for my career. Up until this point, I had never known if I would ever leave the military, and I hadn’t given much thought to what type of post-military career I might pursue. But, as with all good ideas, that’s exactly when I found inspiration for my next move.
After purchasing a new family car, we got it serviced at Ziebart, and the experience was exceptional. Upon learning more about the brand, I was surprised to find that Ziebart has such a strong gratitude for service members that they waive the full franchise fee for veterans. And even better, they were a franchise that had open opportunities for ownership. My brother, Mark, and I opened our first Ziebart store in Morgantown, West Virginia, in 2019, and we’re now in the final stages of opening our second store in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.
My detail-oriented training from the Air Force has been one of the most essential skills for running a successful business, especially one that upholds consistent quality and results, like Ziebart. Being disciplined and focused on the little things has ensured our customers receive the best experience possible every single time.
But success goes far beyond precision alone. In the military, we’re trained to lead by example while building strong teams that work together toward a shared mission. That ability to combine structure with teamwork translates directly into business ownership.
It’s also why franchising can be such a strong fit for veterans looking to re-enter civilian life. A franchise offers a proven business model with built-in training and support, along with a clear playbook for success. Veterans are accustomed to following direct orders and executing them with precision, skills that perfectly align with the very basis of a franchise business model.
On my first day of basic training, I had no idea what I was getting into, and neither did the others sitting beside me on the bus. But we got through it by working together. I had a very similar feeling when it came to starting my franchising journey with Ziebart, having no previous business ownership experience. With their proven playbook and the dedicated support from the corporate team, my brother and I had the confidence to move forward and ultimately find enough success to do it all over again with our second location.
With the right mindset and support, veterans can successfully transition to entrepreneurship and build rewarding second careers. Once you find your post-military passion, the discipline and dedication you gained in the military will serve you well in any business. It’s all about applying the larger skills you learned in service in new ways, and continuing to make a positive impact wherever you are.
Nick Lambie is an Air Force Master Sergeant veteran who served as a Command & Control Battlefield Management Operator and Surveillance Technician, supporting missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Today, he co-owns a Ziebart store in Morgantown, West Virginia, with his brother, and has a second location in development.
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