Navy SEALs and Green Berets Find Franchise Success Thanks to 51 Vets’ Guidance and Support
Elite military units like Navy SEALs and Green Berets endure some of the most rigorous and challenging training that tests physical limits and mental endurance. This intense preparation develops a unique set of skills, including precision, discipline, leadership and an exceptional ability to work in teams. These qualities are highly transferable and sought after in the business world.
Inspired by these exceptional veterans and Jocko Willink’s book, Extreme Ownership, entrepreneur Jordan Selleck founded 51 Vets to help elite veterans transition into successful civilian careers.
Elite Veterans and Franchising
Since he launched the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2017, it has grown into a 400-member organization and has helped dozens of veterans find new purpose in private equity, investment banking, consulting and operations. Although he is not a veteran himself, Selleck comes from the investment banking industry and saw a great opportunity to make a difference. “Part of our secret sauce is that we connect our members with the people who write the checks and have that top-down influence in an organization,” he says.
51 Vets recently started focusing on franchising after Selleck had a chance meeting with Doug Kennealey, co-founder and managing partner of Princeton Equity Group. Hearing about 51 Vets inspired Kennealey to get involved, leading to a partnership that includes hosting events, mentorship and connecting veterans with franchise opportunities.
“Selleck and I got to talking, and I was so impressed with his organization,” Kennealey says. “Veterans have real, tangible leadership skills and the ability to follow a playbook. These are the qualities that franchise brands look for. We’ve introduced several 51 Vets members to franchising, and we recently hosted an event in Dallas that included breakout sessions and speakers.”
One of 51 Vets’ success stories is Andrew Sparks, a former Navy SEAL who partnered with a fellow SEAL veteran to become area developers for a Gameday Men’s Health franchise in Colorado Springs. “We’ll be opening a minimum of four clinics, and we’ll go from there,” Sparks says.
He discovered 51 Vets while transitioning out of the military. “Franchising provides a clear playbook, and I believe I can execute it better than anyone,” Sparks says. “Franchising is an excellent fit for veterans, especially those from special operations. If there’s one thing we’re exceptionally good at, it’s accomplishing a mission with clear objectives.”
For Sparks, the support from 51 Vets has been invaluable. “Being part of 51 Vets has allowed me to learn from others who have gone through the same transition,” Sparks shares. “Meeting fellow veterans at the Dallas [Princeton Equity] event and connecting with industry leaders provided a huge boost during the critical months prior to opening our first Gameday Men’s Health clinic in August.”
51 Vets and Franchising
Selleck is eager to get 51 Vets more involved with the franchise community. “The franchising model is an appealing option for our members. They just want a solid template for success where they can hit the ground running,” Selleck says. “The franchise opportunity is huge because it resonates well with veterans. We’re in the early stages of understanding how to best communicate that message and build the right network to connect people.”
Kennealey encourages franchisors to recognize the unique strengths veterans bring and to explore partnership opportunities with 51 Vets. “My goal is to ensure veterans know that franchising is a viable option. We’re in awe of these folks — anyone who puts on a uniform for this country deserves our respect and support.”
For more information about 51 Vets, visit the brand’s website.
