As Troy University recognizes Military Appreciation Month, the Alabama Small Business Development Center at Troy University is highlighting the leadership, discipline and economic impact of veteran and military-connected entrepreneurs across the region.
For the Alabama SBDC at Troy University, supporting military-connected business owners is part of a larger mission: helping entrepreneurs turn experience, skills and ideas into sustainable businesses that strengthen local communities.
One example is Josh Lewis, owner of Lewis Auto Detailing Service, also known as LADS Auto Detailing, in Troy.
When Lewis transitioned from service in the United States Air Force to civilian life, he brought with him discipline, pride in workmanship and a determination to build a stable future for his family. Entrepreneurship became his path forward. Although he initially considered launching his auto detailing business in Delaware, his home state, a visit to family in Alabama reshaped his plans. Lewis chose to stay in Troy, seeing opportunity in a rural community where relationships, reputation and quality service matter.
Lewis started from the ground up, detailing vehicles for friends and early referrals. His attention to detail and commitment to excellence quickly set him apart, generating strong word-of-mouth support and repeat customers. As demand increased, he recognized that while his strength was in the work itself, he needed support to ensure the business behind the work was built correctly.
That is where the Alabama SBDC became part of his story.
“I focused on perfecting my craft and delivering the best service possible, and the SBDC helped me develop the business skills I needed to grow and do things the right way,” Lewis said. “Having that support made all the difference as my business expanded.”
Through SBDC advising, Lewis received guidance on business formation in Alabama, local licensing and sales tax requirements, and properly closing an unused Delaware LLC so he could move forward without compliance concerns. As the business gained momentum, the SBDC also assisted him as he transitioned from a home-based operation into a dedicated shop location, helping him update LLC records and remain compliant as operations expanded.
The move into a shop marked an important milestone. It increased capacity, strengthened the business’ professional presence and opened the door to higher-end services. Growth also brought new operational challenges, and the SBDC continued working with Lewis to strengthen bookkeeping practices, improve tracking of invoices, expenses and payment processing, and build confidence in understanding financial performance.
With improved systems in place and growing demand, Lewis added employees to support operations and scale responsibly. By 2025, Lewis reported that revenue had tripled compared to his first year of operations. Today, LADS Auto Detailing stands as a veteran-led rural small business built from scratch — creating local jobs, serving customers locally and beyond, and providing a sustainable livelihood for Lewis’ young family in Troy.
For Juliana Bolivar, Center Director and Lead Business Advisor for the Alabama SBDC at Troy University, Lewis’ story reflects the kind of impact veteran entrepreneurs can make when technical skill is paired with business guidance.
“Josh already had the discipline, work ethic and commitment to excellence,” Bolivar said. “The SBDC helped him build the business foundation around that talent so he could grow with confidence, stay compliant, create jobs and build something sustainable for his family here in Troy.”
Lewis was recently nominated in the veteran-owned business category as part of the Alabama SBDC at Troy University’s recognition of military-connected entrepreneurs during Military Appreciation Month.
Bolivar said stories like Lewis’ are important because they show that veteran-owned status is more than a title. It can be part of how entrepreneurs position, grow and strengthen their businesses.
“Veteran-owned status is a business asset,” Bolivar said. “For some entrepreneurs, it may support certification and procurement opportunities. For others, it may strengthen marketing, credibility, customer trust and community visibility. Our role is to help each business owner understand how to use that status strategically and appropriately.”
To close Military Appreciation Month, the Alabama SBDC at Troy University, in cooperation with APEX Accelerator of Alabama, will host a virtual roundtable designed to help more veteran and military-connected entrepreneurs explore those opportunities.
The event, “Veteran-Owned Business: Certification, Marketing & Growth,” will be held virtually on Thursday, May 28, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CT.
The roundtable is designed for veteran entrepreneurs, service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs, military spouses, transitioning service members and military-connected business owners. The session will explore how veteran-owned status can support certification opportunities, government contracting readiness, marketing, visibility and business growth.
Part of the success of the Alabama SBDC’s outreach efforts comes from working with community partners who are closely connected to the entrepreneurs the center is trying to reach. For this event, the Alabama SBDC at Troy University has invited regional partners, including the Dale County Economic Development Corporation and the Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, to help share the opportunity with businesses and families connected to Fort Novosel/Fort Rucker.
“We know that reaching military-connected entrepreneurs requires trusted local partners,” Bolivar said. “Some are veterans already operating businesses, some are military spouses helping run a family side hustle, and some are transitioning service members thinking about what comes next. By working with community partners close to Fort Novosel/Fort Rucker, we can help make sure this information reaches the people who may benefit from it most.”
APEX Accelerator of Alabama will provide perspective on certification and procurement-related opportunities, while the Alabama SBDC at Troy University will help frame how military-connected entrepreneurs can use their story and status to strengthen their business in the marketplace.
“This conversation is not only for businesses already looking at government contracts,” Bolivar said. “It is also for the military spouse helping grow a family business, the transitioning service member thinking about entrepreneurship, or the veteran-owned business that wants to better communicate its story to customers. Military-connected entrepreneurs already bring valuable experience to the table. We want to help them use that experience as part of their business growth.”
For the Alabama SBDC at Troy University, Military Appreciation Month is not only a time to recognize service, but also a time to connect military-connected entrepreneurs with practical tools, trusted advising and statewide resources.
“Recognition matters, but support matters too,” Bolivar said. “Military Appreciation Month gives us the opportunity to say thank you and to make sure veterans, military spouses and transitioning service members know they do not have to build their businesses alone.”
Event Details
Veteran-Owned Business: Certification, Marketing & Growth
Thursday, May 28
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. CT
Virtual Roundtable
Registration is available at:
https://asbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/10673
