There’s a seismic shift unfolding across America’s small business landscape—and few are better positioned to seize it than U.S. military veterans.

You may have heard whispers of the “Silver Tsunami.” It’s not a clever metaphor or a passing economic trend. It’s a generational transfer of business ownership on a scale our country has never seen before.

Each day, 10,000 Baby Boomers retire. Many of them own the local businesses that form the backbone of the American economy—service companies, manufacturers, construction firms, HVAC outfits, logistics providers, and more. These businesses are profitable. Many are debt-free. And most don’t have a succession plan.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Baby Boomers own over 2.3 million small businesses in the United States, employing more than 25 million people. But here’s the issue: 70% of these business owners report having no real plan for who will take over. That’s not a statistic—it’s a call to action.

At Owners in Honor, we believe this moment is not just a market shift. It’s a mission.

Veterans: The Next Great Generation of Business Owners

Veterans leave service with real-world leadership experience, strategic decision-making under pressure, and the ability to operate in complex, high-stakes environments. Sound familiar? That’s also the job description for a successful business owner.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that veterans are 45% more likely to be self-employed than non-veterans. And for good reason: veterans understand responsibility. They know how to lead teams, manage logistics, and adapt quickly when plans go sideways. Business doesn’t always go according to plan—but neither does deployment.

That’s why we train and support veterans to acquire these small businesses through a process called Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA). It’s not about building from scratch. It’s about stepping into a profitable, proven business, preserving its legacy, and taking it into the next generation with the discipline and drive our military instills.

What Sellers Actually Want (Hint: It's Not Just the Money)

In survey after survey, aging owners are signaling that their top concern isn’t just the sale price. They care deeply about preserving the legacy of their life’s work. They want someone who will treat their customers and employees with care. They want continuity.

Veterans are uniquely equipped to provide that. When a seller meets a buyer who brings honor, structure, commitment, and purpose to the table, it’s not a transaction. It’s a transition.

And in a market where cash buyers are scarce and legacy matters, that’s powerful.

To Executives and Strategic Partners: This Is the Moment to Invest

If you’re reading this as a fund manager, banker, strategic investor, or corporate executive—you know the data. But perhaps what’s less obvious is the solution.

Veterans represent a reliable, underutilized leadership pipeline. By investing in programs that equip veterans to acquire businesses—whether through capital, mentorship, or partnership—you’re helping prevent the loss of millions of jobs and preserving the economic vitality of Main Street America.

You’re also investing in an operator class that is disciplined, values-driven, and committed to excellence. Veterans aren’t looking for handouts. They’re looking for a mission worth leading.

The Owners in Honor Model

We don’t just teach theory—we walk veterans through every step of buying a business: sourcing deals, financing acquisitions (including seller financing and SBA loans), operational due diligence, and ongoing mentorship after the purchase.

We also serve business owners who are ready to exit but care about their legacy. We match them with veterans who can carry their mission forward with honor.

And we rely on partners—executives, investors, community leaders—who believe, like we do, that the strength of our economy lies not just in Wall Street, but in the everyday businesses that keep America running.

Final Word: This Wave Is Coming. The Only Question Is Who Will Ride It.

The Silver Tsunami is no longer a forecast. It’s the tide rising beneath our feet. The question isn’t if these businesses will change hands—but to whom.

Veterans have the character, capability, and courage to answer that call.

At Owners in Honor, we’re not just preparing for this shift. We’re building a movement—one veteran-owned business at a time.

🔗 Learn how you can support or get involved at www.ownersinhonor.org.

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