NOV NIBJ: From service to startups: Veterans find purpose in business
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 7 months AGO
They have a passion for their country — and for business.
For many veterans, their foray into the business world makes sense. They want to serve others and have a desire to make a difference in the world — first in the military, now through everything from food trucks to working as beauty entrepreneurs.
Take Jonathan Hubiak, who said his experiences in the Army are the foundation for how he operates his food truck, the Brunch Box, which specializes in Liège waffles. These waffles have a crunchier, chewier texture than Brussels or American waffles.
His time in the service instilled in him a sense of punctuality and discipline. He credits his dedication and work ethic to his Army days, saying the lessons he learned stand him in good stead today.
Like Hubiak, Bob Martin knows the lessons learned as a young serviceman all too well.
The demands of the Army — its lessons of discipline — shaped who he is, both in the military and outside. The skills he gained easily translated into the business world, where he owned and operated a security and investigations firm.
“Military discipline was good,” he said. “It taught me another way of thinking.”
For Brent Topie, a deep appreciation for veterans and all they have done for their country lies at the heart of his desire to give them a place of their own to hang out.
Enter the Bunker Bar.
While not a veteran, owning the establishment allows him to continue the military-honoring legacy of his predecessors, Army veteran Trace Miller and his wife, Jammie. The couple established the Bunker Bar and J&T Food Bunker — now the Burger Bunker — in 2019 after operating the food truck for a year in Coeur d'Alene.
Since opening, the Bunker has been dedicated to veterans and events to help them.
“I think it’s awesome,” Brent said. “One of the reasons we bought this bar was to be able to give back to the community and hold all these events for first responders and veterans.”
And that, in a nutshell, is why many servicemen and servicewomen find their way to the business world: service. The only difference is their businesses serve their communities instead of their country.
Caroline Lobsinger
NIBJ Editor