Send us a text 🎧 The Small Business Safari Title: From Service to Skilled Trades: Creating Real Jobs for Veterans Too many veterans leave the military with discipline and grit—but no clear civilian pathway. Marty Strong is fixing that with real skills, real employers, and paid apprenticeships. Summary: We sit down with Marty Strong, founder of Warriors Haven USA, to break down a practical, no-fluff pathway that helps veterans find both purpose and pay through the skilled trades. Marty explains why blue-collar work isn’t a fallback—it’s a solution to a massive talent gap—and why combat arms veterans are uniquely wired to succeed in this space. We unpack the “transition shock” many vets experience, the cultural myths that keep people away from trades, and how Warriors Haven USA’s three-level training model moves participants from exposure, to skill-building, to paid apprenticeships with employer partners who are ready to hire. Marty also shares the hard truths around funding, the vision behind a new 9,000-square-foot training center, and why real momentum comes from mentors, networking, and matching skills to actual market demand. This episode is a must-listen for veterans, employers, and business owners who believe meaningful work should lead to real opportunity. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari 💡 GOLD NUGGETS • Why skilled trades solve a real and growing talent shortage • Who Warriors Haven USA serves—and why this model fits veterans • The three-level pipeline from exposure to paid apprenticeship • Employer-ready skills in HVAC, metalwork, woodworking, and culinary • The Business Academy: sales, hiring, and scaling beyond the tools • Funding realities and building a 9,000 sq ft training facility • How purpose returns when skills align with real demand • Why networking and mentors beat cold calls every time 🔗 Guest Links • Website: https://warriorshavenusa.com • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marty-strong-9676bb13/ martystrong.com 🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari • Instagram | @smallbusinesssafaripodcast • LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/ • Website | https://chrislalomia.com From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.
