If you are a veteran thinking of starting a business, read this:

Veterans are 45% more likely to start a business than average.

Starting a business requires mental toughness and vets are used to working under adverse conditions. If others did it, so can you.

And the country needs your leadership! Baby Boomers are leaving the workforce in record numbers and they are selling or closing their businesses. The more veterans that step up to fill in the gap, the better off the country will be long-term.

When I transitioned out of the Army, I missed the feeling of service to something bigger than myself. Entrepreneurship filled the void. Helping solve the world's problems is an intoxicating feeling. Helping a founder create a marketing strategy that grows his business creates jobs. It helps lift the entire economy. It makes the world a better place.

Here are seven reasons why every veteran should start a business:

1. Autonomy and Independence: Entrepreneurs have freedom. They are in charge of their own destiny. They have the ability to make decisions and shape the direction of their businesses. This autonomy allows for greater control over one's professional life.

2. Unlimited Income Potential: Unlike being an employee for a private company or the government, where income is often capped, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to build businesses that can generate unlimited income. The effort and innovation put into a venture can directly impact financial success. 

3. Personal and Professional Growth: Entrepreneurship is a journey of constant learning. Managing a business involves facing challenges, making decisions, and adapting to changes, fostering both personal and professional growth. There are few endevors that will require you to grow more as a person.

4. Replace Your Feeling of Service: Many veterans (myself included) miss the feeling of working for something greater than themselves. Entrepreneurs have the chance to build something from the ground up, whether it's a product, service, or an entire company. This ability to create and contribute to the world can be incredibly fulfilling.

5. Flexibility and Work-Life Balance: While starting a business often requires significant time and effort, entrepreneurs can ultimately design their schedules to achieve a better work-life balance. This flexibility can lead to a more satisfying life and a deeper feeling of happiness.

6. Impact on the Community: Successful entrepreneurs can have a positive impact on their communities by creating job opportunities, contributing to economic growth, and supporting local initiatives. This sense of giving back can be personally rewarding.

7. Innovation and Problem-Solving: Entrepreneurship involves identifying problems and developing innovative solutions. This constant pursuit of improvement and problem-solving can be intellectually stimulating and personally fulfilling.

Becoming an entrepreneur is not only a career choice but a lifestyle that offers unique advantages and opportunities for those willing to take on the challenges of building and running their own businesses.

I would love to hear from you. What is your biggest obstacle to starting your own business?

Until next week!