Upon leaving the military, many veterans search for rewarding opportunities in a civilian career. Business ownership provides a unique experience for these American heroes to be their own boss, and franchising makes this dream a reality for many veterans
Franchisors find that veterans’ leadership and teamwork skills from previous military training and experience make them ideal franchisees.
Wayne Pare spent 24 years in the army and had 8 deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, he and his wife own a Play It Again Sports franchise in Holly Springs, North Carolina, and have experienced growth from the get-go thanks to the franchise model and their passion for the brand.
Love at First Sight
Wayne and Erin Pare met in Baghdad, Iraq during Wayne’s deployment. Erin was volunteering with the USO Entertainment tour as a cheerleader when she met Wayne.
“We felt an immediate connection and exchanged emails and stayed in touch. We got married two years later,” said Erin Pare.
Wayne continued his military service while their family grew. They have two children, and over the years the military brought them all around the country. They moved five times, and their kids attended five different schools. The Pares wanted stability and wanted to get involved in a family business.
No Days Off
The need for stability and desire to give back to community led the Pares to research Play It Again Sports. Before opening their business, the Pares were already active in the community by coaching sports, volunteering with the Cub Scouts and at their church. A community-based business like Play It Again Sports just made sense.
Wayne retired on a Friday, and the next Monday they finalized their lease space and got the keys. Without a day off, the Pares started their new business.
“Erin and I have dreamed about setting roots in a great town and opening a family business. And, now, that dream is coming true,” said Wayne.
The couple opened their Holly Springs location this year. After traveling so much for his military service, Wayne hopes his business ownership will keep them all in one place, while giving back to the community. Wayne wanted to jump into his business right away.
“During my service, we were supporting so many people, other military wives and children. So, once that was over, I knew I didn’t want to stop, and I wanted to start contributing to my community in that same way,” said Wayne.
Franchising has created the ideal business opportunity for the Pare family and other American veterans. If you’re a military veteran or someone looking for a great business investment opportunity, learn more about the Winmark network of brands of franchise brands.