Success Stories

Military Spouse Builds New Future as an Entrepreneur

After spending more than three decades supporting her husband’s military career and raising three children, Lyzette Bryant turned to career ownership coaching with The Entrepreneur’s Source^® to chart a new course as a business owner.

Lyzette’s husband, Ira W. Bryant Jr., a major in the U.S. Army stationed at Sumter Lowry Armory in Plant City, Florida, plans to retire next year. He spent his military career as part of a mobility unit, deploying to hotspots around the globe while Lyzette held down the fort at home. His longest deployment was 17 months.

As part of the military’s discharge transition assistance program, Lyzette had the opportunity to attend Boots to Business with her husband. Hosted by the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) and SCORE, Boots to Business is a two-day entrepreneurial education and training program at MacDill Air Force Base. The program leads participants through essential steps for evaluating business concepts and developing business plans. It introduces different entrepreneurial ideas, the resources for accessing startup capital, and more.

“We had always wanted to own a business, but it wasn’t possible with the demands of the military on our family,” Lyzette said. “I perceive myself to be a good leader. And I liked the idea of leading my own company and highlighting my creative side.”

Veterans learn skills in the military that are transferable to business ownership. Military training fosters determination, discipline, and adaptability. It builds leaders with the ability to plan strategically and solve problems. According to the SBA, veterans own 1.9 million U.S. small businesses and generate $1.25 trillion.

During the Boots to Business program, Lyzette connected with Susan Mell, a Career Ownership Coach™ for The Entrepreneur’s Source. Susan volunteers her time to Boots to Business to help veterans transitioning to civilian life find a path forward. During her presentations, she educates service members and their families on partnering with a franchise to pursue entrepreneurship.

“Military spouses frequently face the challenge of relocating and settling their families into new communities. Their resilience and leadership mindset they develop through these experiences make them excellent candidates for business ownership,” Susan said.

Coaching Provides New Possibilities
Susan started her career as a coach more than 22 years ago after selling a successful cell phone business. She uses an education-based approach to help people reimagine their careers. Lyzette stood out for her entrepreneurial drive and her customer service mindset.

Individual coaching sessions with Susan enabled Lyzette to open her mind to her options, possibilities, and dreams for her future. She discovered her desire to build a business that would allow her to eventually run as a semi-absentee owner.

“Susan was great about presenting me with entrepreneurial ideas and giving feedback. She was a sounding board, and her experience as a business owner enabled her to be a great mentor,” Lyzette said.

Capitalizing on a Growing Trend
During the coaching process, Mell introduced Lyzette to Graze Craze, a charcuterie board business serving high-quality, fresh ingredients. Graze Craze was founded in 2018 by a female Air Force veteran. The U.S. food delivery services industry has jumped  29.5% over the past five years, and Graze Craze fills an in-demand niche in the market.

Over the years, Lyzette built a reputation among family and friends for her creative flair and culinary skills, making Graze Craze an ideal fit in a high-growth industry. She plans to open multiple Graze Craze locations in Florida. Her first shop is slated to debut in Lakeland in June. The brand is backed by United Franchise Group, the parent of 12 brands, including Signarama, Cannoli Kitchen Pizza, and Fully Promoted.

“United Franchise Group has multiple brands and is a well-established company. They know what they’re doing, and I knew if I purchased Graze Craze and followed its business procedures, then I should be set up for success,” Lyzette said.

Lyzette has already hired a manager for the Lakeland location, who attended training with her to give the new business a solid foundation.

“Lyzette is one of the most enthusiastic clients I’ve worked with,” Susan said. “I am confident that she will rise to the top as one of the most successful franchisees for the brand.”

Find a New Beginning
With the right guidance, it’s never too late to start a new chapter. Connect with a Career Ownership Coach™ to learn more about entrepreneurship. For more information about The Entrepreneur’s Source, visit www.entrepreneurssource.com or check out our guidebook, “Your Career Revolution: Reimagine and Reclaim the Life of Your Dreams.”

About Your Career Revolution

Our mission is to help individuals explore self-sufficiency as an alternative career.

We help them define their Income, Lifestyle, Wealth, and Equity goals and provide education on the best ways to achieve them. We don’t sell franchises – we help people achieve their dreams of self-sufficiency through business ownership. The approach is different, the experience is different. And it works.

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