We the People: Texoma veteran shares story of journey from military to entrepreneurship

SHERMAN, Texas (KXII) - Life after the military comes with its challenges when entering the civilian workforce.

“Entering the civilian workforce was tough in that regard, because that structure is not always there, especially when starting your own business,” said Air Force veteran and owner of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Sherman Jeffrey Hunter.

Hunter says the military builds its members up on core values such as discipline, integrity and structure. Structure that created “positive tension” and encouraged his own higher education.

“Good positive tension pulled me in the direction of ‘hey, if you don’t get good grades, you have to pay this money back,’” Hunter said. “ [I] got a degree in Business Administration.”

But how does one go from head of operations in the food industry to franchising Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Sherman, who’s not a plumber by trade? Deciding not to re-invent the wheel.

When it comes to life after serving, Hunter encourages all veterans to use the skills they learned throughout their service as leverage during the hiring period and beyond. He said the very skills he used as an Air Force aircraft electrician on KC135s go hand-in-hand with some of the skills you would see in plumbing work and even owning a business itself.

“With the discipline and integrity, the work ethic, the excellence in everything we do being one of the core values in the Air Force,” Hunter said. “Any veteran coming out of the military, hold onto those things, leverage those things.”

Nearing three years as owner, he’s achieved the nation’s “Franchise of the Quarter” and surpassed revenue goals by 190%.

“At Benjamin Franklin, we try to bring a white collar feel to a blue collar trade,” said Hunter.

Using core values Hunter looks for in all licensed plumbers seeking work, and that makes veterans prime candidates after service.