I grew up in Sanford, Florida, in a family where military service was not an abstract concept. It was part of the rhythm of life. My dad served, and that example shaped how I thought about purpose, responsibility, and what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself. After high school, I tried college, but it did not take long to realize I was looking for something more structured, something with a mission attached to it. That desire led me to the Army.
Lessons from 20 Years in Uniform
I spent 20 years in the United States Army, and those two decades taught me lessons I still carry into every part of my life today. Accountability. Discipline. And the importance of being the kind of teammate others can rely on. My career unfolded during a period when the world changed quickly, and service demanded adaptability as much as grit. Over the course of my time in the Army, I completed seven combat deployments, experiences that leave their mark not only in what you remember, but in how you think and how you lead.
In the military, leadership is not a slogan. It shows up in decisions and consequences. It is how you plan, how you communicate, and how you care for the people you are responsible for. It is also how you keep moving forward when things are uncertain. Those years shaped my belief that strong leadership is inseparable from trust. Trust is built the same way whether you are in a unit or running a business. You do what you say you will do. You take care of people. You hold yourself to a standard even when no one is watching.
Transitioning to Civilian Work
When I retired in 2018, I did not feel done. Like a lot of veterans, I still wanted challenge, contribution, and forward motion. I stayed on in contracting and later took a role supporting U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, helping develop war games and analyze threats. It was strategic work that demanded focus, creativity, and the ability to anticipate what might happen next. I liked the problem-solving, the planning, and the constant push to think several steps ahead.
Then COVID happened, and like many families, my priorities sharpened. I wanted to work closer to home. I wanted a different kind of stability, and I wanted to be present in a way that can be hard when your work is intense and far-reaching. That shift led me to Amazon, which was my first real look at the corporate civilian world from the inside and taught me a lot about systems, operations, and scale..
After Amazon, I moved into manufacturing with defense manufacturers contracted to build anti-submarine warfare systems. That role was fulfilling in a different way. I got to see the assembly process from start to finish and watch tangible work become a finished product. There is something powerful about that. You can see the result, you know what went into it, and you understand how many people had to do their jobs well for the final outcome to be right.
Even then, the thought kept returning. What would it look like to build something of my own?
Why Franchise Ownership
I had always been interested in entrepreneurship, not for the buzzword appeal, but for the idea of ownership. Ownership of outcomes. Ownership of culture. Ownership of standards. I was not looking for a quick win. I wanted a business where I could lead well, serve customers well, and build a team that felt proud of the work we delivered.
I knew I wanted something service-related, something I could see myself doing long-term, and something that produced results customers could see immediately.
That is what drew me to GarageExperts.
What stood out first was the structure and professionalism. There was a sense of organization that mattered to me, and at the same time, the company felt receptive to franchisee input. That combination is rare. Strong systems paired with a willingness to listen to the people in the field. It reminded me of the best teams I have been part of, the ones that hold a high standard while staying open to improvement.
Building a Business in Central Florida
Today, I am proud to be building GarageExperts in Central Florida, serving Volusia County and surrounding communities. We became fully operational the first week of November, and in those early days, one of the most meaningful moments came from something simple. I posted about the business on Facebook, and people started reaching out almost immediately. I grew up in this area, and that local connection matters. It is a reminder that businesses do not grow only through marketing. They grow through relationships and trust, especially in a community where people want to know who they are hiring.
For me, this business is built on the same values that guided my military career. Show up prepared. Communicate clearly. Take ownership of the result. Treat people with respect. I want customers to feel confident from the first conversation to the final walkthrough, and I want them to know they can count on us to do the job right. That is how trust is earned, and that is the standard I intend to keep as we grow in Central Florida.
Advice for Aspiring Franchise Owners
If you are considering franchising or entrepreneurship, my advice is simple. Do it. There are unknowns, there always are, but you gain something incredibly valuable. More control over your life, and the opportunity to see the direct fruits of your effort. Ownership changes how you show up. It changes how you think. And when you care about doing things the right way, it gives you a platform to build a company culture that respects people, both customers and team members.
For me, this is not a departure from service. It is a continuation of it, just in a new form.
By Shaun Harris, GarageExperts Franchisee