Jason Madden, a career ownership coach at The Entrepreneur’s Source®, dedicates his time and expertise to mentor fellow veterans, enabling a seamless transition to civilian life.
Madden launched his career coaching business in 2018 after spending 16 years in the U.S. Army and Marines. Motivated by a profound sense of duty following the tragic events of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Madden responded by enlisting in the Marines as an infantryman. His military experience instilled a deep commitment to safeguarding our nation and upholding democratic principles while also sowing the seeds of his future business.
During his time in the service, Madden acquired invaluable lessons in collaboration, effective leadership, safety protocols, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Notably, he was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, where he played an active role in Operation Phantom Fury — one of the most violent battles of the Iraq War.
After suffering an injury during the war, Madden exited the Marines and briefly took a job as a corrections officer in Montana before joining the Army to conduct counterintelligence work. While stationed in Italy, he spearheaded the coordination, management, and deconfliction of the Army’s counterintelligence operations in Africa. As part of this role, he completed the Army’s first biometric equipment fielding project in Senegal, which improved the country’s border security and intelligence capabilities.
Post-military service, Madden joined The Entrepreneur’s Source to provide career ownership coaching to veterans and other people experiencing a career transition.
“Coaching allows me to achieve my lifestyle and career goals while providing a valuable service,” Madden said.
Madden was recognized with the prestigious “2023 40 under 40” honor by Albuquerque Business First. This annual accolade is awarded to young individuals who consistently surpass expectations in their professional endeavors and community contributions.
Military a Steppingstone to Entrepreneurial Success
There are at least 18.4 million veterans in the United States. Given the valuable skills veterans learn in the military, it’s not surprising the unemployment rate for former military members is lower than for their non-veteran counterparts. Unfortunately, many former service members are overqualified for their current roles. After being out of the service for three years, at least 61% of veterans suffer from underemployment, according to The Veterans Metrics Initiative at Pennsylvania State University.
The military has a unique culture, values, and way of life. After time in the service, some veterans may find it difficult to adjust to civilian society’s norms, expectations, and behaviors. Transitioning to civilian life often means losing the familiar structure of the military, which can leave veterans feeling disoriented and uncertain about their future — and finding the right job can be challenging.
Drawing from his personal experience, Madden is deeply committed to helping veterans effectively navigate the transition to civilian life. For the past five years, he has dedicated his time to volunteering for Veterati, an organization that offers mentoring services to unemployed or underemployed veterans and their spouses.
“Veterati provides veterans with valuable mentoring to help them gain a foothold in the job market,” Madden said. “The online platform makes connecting with veterans and their spouses who need guidance and support easy.”
Madden also conducts Military Transition Assistance Program employment and skills workshops through the U.S. Department of Labor and the Department of Defense. As part of the Kirtland Air Force Base program in New Mexico, Madden hosts formal career transition workshops and helps veterans write resumes, develop personal branding, and more.
“Being able to help veterans is important to me. I did the transition from the military. I know veterans do not want to hear platitudes. Even if you’re a senior officer, you’re just a regular Joe when you retire. It can be challenging,” Madden said.
Coaching Helps Bridge the Gap
The Entrepreneur’s Source provides education-based coaching to help people determine if they want to take a new job in the corporate world, start a business, or invest in a franchise.
Upon completing their military service, many veterans are eager to take control of their future. They want to carve out work-life balance and achieve financial freedom. The Entrepreneur’s Source plays a crucial role in assisting veterans as they embark on their next journey.
“Many veterans struggle to find their footing after they leave the military. They’re scared and want sustainability. Our process helps them do the analysis,” Madden added.
Franchising offers a path to business ownership by providing a turnkey business with training, guidance, and support. Only 7% of the U.S. population are veterans, but they account for 14% of all franchisees, revealed VetFran. Veterans acquire the leadership and team-building skills they need to be successful entrepreneurs, and their ability to execute systems makes them ideal franchise candidates.
“Veterans have the tenacity and grit to build successful franchise businesses. Being able to guide them as they explore their options and possibilities is very rewarding,” Madden said.
John Holland relied on career coaching from Madden after he exited the service. Holland spent 20 years in the Marines and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. After he retired, coaching gave him the guidance he needed to become an entrepreneur. He partnered with Ace Handyman Services to open a franchise in Jacksonville, North Carolina. “Jason gave me advice, and I knew he was always available to answer my questions. He was very responsive,” Holland said. “Franchising enabled me to open a business where I can employ other veterans and provide a service in my local community.”