From the Barracks to the Bottom Line: Veteran-Owned Businesses Thrive in Fredericksburg

Every day, veterans across the country are hanging up their boots for a business suit, trading MREs for MBAs, and transforming their dedication to their country into a commitment to community.

Veterans who once answered the call to serve their country are now answering a different kind of call—building thriving businesses that strengthen their communities while upholding the values that shaped them while in uniform. This November, we're proud to spotlight veteran-owned businesses across Fredericksburg and Stafford.

The transition from military to civilian entrepreneurship isn't always straightforward. Christina Hudson served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps, rising to operations officer at Headquarters Marine Corps. Aubry Blais spent four years as a U.S. Army nurse. Craig Houlette served 24 years in the Navy. Dr. Paul Kuster joined the U.S. Army at age 17, serving three years active and four years reserve. Dr. Ryan Malkiewicz is currently serving in the United States Army Reserve while building his career in audiology.

Melissa Huntley-Bosco continues to serve in the Army as a JAG with the Virginia National Guard, bringing 26 years of military service and five deployments to her law practice, while Sha'ahn Williams spent four years active in the U.S. Marine Corps and added another four in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). The Lethbridge brothers—Jake, Zach, and Matthew—all served, with Matthew spending seven years in the Marine Corps as a Combat Engineer Officer, Zach adding eight years in the Corps, and Jake serving five years in the Navy.

Each took a different path to business ownership, yet their journeys reflect a shared truth: military service became the blueprint for their success as entrepreneurs.

The Calling to Serve

Some entrepreneurs discovered their calling immediately upon leaving the uniform. Others spent years preparing. Dr. Kuster's path exemplifies this journey. "Since beginning my Audiology career nearly 30 years ago, I knew that one day I would have my own practice. It took me 15 years, and it was one of the best decisions of my life," he reflects.

For Hudson, the shift meant moving from the Marine Corps to founding F45 Training Stafford VA, a fitness studio focused on adaptable, sustainable workouts. Blais pivoted from nursing to launch Thistle Medical Aesthetics, a boutique practice specializing in injectables and wellness-focused care. Williams ​​wanted to create a space where people could "build confidence" and transform their overall "sense of well-being," and, thus, Body Thief Body Sculpting was born.

Others went into business with family members. Chris Romero took the reins of Kitchens For You, a remodeling business specializing in kitchens, baths, and restoration work in Stafford, after serving for seven years in the U.S. Army. Then he brought in his brother, Rommel, as Project Manager, after Rommel served for four years. Meanwhile, the Lethbridge brothers established their own kitchen renovation company together in Fredericksburg.

"What inspired me to start this business was primarily the opportunity to work alongside my brothers—people I love and share a deep connection with—and to build something meaningful that we can truly call our own," explains Zach.

Houlette, along with his wife Anna, opened 77 Barbershop, a community-focused establishment "that offered quality service at a reasonable price to a community largely made up of military, law enforcement, teachers, first responders, veterans, civil servants, and their family members."

While each formed a business across various industries, each faced a common hurdle: the loss of built-in structure and clear mission parameters.

Translating Military Leadership to Business

The greatest challenge wasn't starting a business—it was rethinking how to lead one. "One of the biggest challenges I faced transitioning from the military to entrepreneurship was letting go of the structure," Blais explains. "In the service, there's a clear chain of command, a set way of doing things, and a built-in community. Stepping into business ownership meant I suddenly had to create structure, systems, and culture for Thistle Medical Aesthetics to thrive."

Hudson encountered similar obstacles. "Moving from the clear structure and defined mission of the Marine Corps to the uncertainty of entrepreneurship—and figuring out how to manage my time as a mother and a business owner—was a steep learning curve," she reflects. Houlette discovered that translating military expertise to civilian life required rethinking communication itself. "Mostly just learning that what works in the military doesn't always work in the civilian world," he observes.

For Huntley-Bosco, the challenge was philosophical. "The biggest challenge I faced was the internal dilemma of how to provide a service for a fee," she explains. "With the military, the thought of charging people for your time does not come up since your salary is covered. When running a business, you have to provide an invoice for your services—it was a hurdle I eventually overcame."

Dr. Malkiewicz faces a unique challenge: balancing ongoing military service with business development. "Balancing command responsibilities with building a business was the biggest challenge. Reserve duty often felt like a second full-time job, with late nights and competing priorities. I had to sharpen my time management and set boundaries to make space for both my business and family."

Yet, all found that military discipline became their greatest asset. Hudson shares, "I overcame it by relying on the skills I honed in the military: breaking down problems, adapting quickly, and staying disciplined, while also learning to create my own structure and balance priorities."

Mission-Driven Leadership

What sets these veteran-owned businesses apart is their unwavering commitment to a larger purpose. Each entrepreneur carries forward the values of service and leadership learned in uniform, translating them into company cultures built on integrity, discipline, and community care.

"Being a veteran business owner is something I value tremendously," says Chris Romero. "I continuously apply the work ethic and discipline I learned in the military to my daily activities."

Blais echoes this sentiment: "Military service instills a mission-first mindset. For me, that means every decision in business comes back to serving people in our community with excellence and integrity."

For Hudson, "Being a veteran business owner means carrying forward the values of service and leadership into a new arena. It's less about me and more about building something that makes a positive impact." Houlette frames it simply: "An opportunity to continue to serve." Dr. Malkiewicz uses nearly identical language: "It allows me to keep serving—this time by helping Veterans secure the benefits they've earned."

Houlette grounds his leadership approach in the mentorship he received throughout his Navy career. "Probably mostly from leadership and training. I take the lessons I learned from them and apply things like structure, teamwork, personal growth, work-life balance, accountability, and attention to detail to our approach at 77 Barbershop."

Dr. Kuster credits his military education with shaping his approach: "My experience at the US Military Academy Prep School taught me to lead with confidence, competence, and compassion, vital traits for a business owner and healthcare professional."

Huntley-Bosco's approach to legal practice reflects her decades of military leadership. "Management, leadership, and organization have been critical and helpful with running my own law practice—these are all skills I learned while serving on active duty as a logistician."

For Matthew Lethbridge, "mission" translates to every project: "Mission first. Every house, every kitchen we enter—it is our mission to produce a quality and professional result and to do so with integrity." The Lethbridge brothers emphasize perseverance as their guiding principle when facing business challenges.

Fellow Marine Corps veteran Williams agrees, citing "leadership, attention to detail, and perseverance under pressure" as the skills that translate directly into running a business and are key attributes to "managing operations, leading a team, maintaining high standards of client care, and staying calm and decisive in challenging situations."

Giving Back as a Way of Life

The spirit of service that influenced their military careers now animates their businesses. All are actively strengthening their communities through specialized services, sponsorships, and targeted support for veterans and first responders.

Hudson's F45 Training offers discounts for service members, veterans, and first responders while hosting community workouts open to everyone. Blais's Thistle Medical Aesthetics supports local schools and nonprofits, such as the Fairy Godmother Project, Dr. Yum Project, and Warrior Rising—an organization dedicated to empowering veteran entrepreneurs. Chris and Rommel Romero sponsor local sports teams and coordinate with homeowners to donate old cabinetry from kitchen projects to community members in need.

Craig and Anna Houlette opened 77 Barbershop specifically to serve their community's needs, particularly military families and veterans. They offer discounts to active duty military, veterans, and family members, and conduct annual fundraisers. "Military Families and Veterans are our family, and we strive to make them feel at home," Houlette says. "Our mission is community and giving back."

At Ascent Audiology, the commitment to serving veterans is woven into the business's identity. "To provide accurate hearing evaluations for Veterans seeking VA benefits. We are also one of the only Audiology Medicaid providers in Virginia," explains Dr. Malkiewicz. Huntley-Bosco's commitment to community extends beyond profit margins. "I provide either pro bono or low bono services to those in need," she states.

The Lethbridge brothers employ veterans and ensure their clients receive service that exceeds expectations. Matthew adds that their business serves as ambassadors for the veteran community and the Marine Corps.

Being a veteran business owner is a source of pride and responsibility for Williams: "It reminds me daily that discipline, courage, and service can extend beyond the military," she says, as she helps "others achieve transformation and confidence."

And being in charge– rather than lower in the "chain of command"-- helps. These veterans can focus their respective missions and business philosophies on the attributes they gleaned from service, deciding exactly which intangibles to promote and honor, and how to give back to the community and serve their customers.

Building Teams and Legacies

Perhaps the greatest achievement for these entrepreneurs is the teams they've built and the cultures they've created. Hudson beams when discussing her studio's impact: "One achievement I'm most proud of is seeing our Stafford studio grow into a true community hub. When members tell me they feel fitter, more confident, and more connected, it's incredibly rewarding."

Blais shares similar pride: "What I'm most proud of is the team I've built. They're talented, hardworking, and deeply committed to our clients, but more importantly, they truly believe in the culture we've created: one rooted in trust, artistry, and genuine care."

Houlette's proudest moment came against the odds. "Surviving the pandemic as a brand new business and earning 'Best of The Burg' the same year," he reflects. The Romeros take pride in seeing growth through operational and marketing improvements, while the Lethbridge brothers measure success in customer relationships and sustained business growth.

Dr. Malkiewicz measures achievement through impact: "Helping Veterans present strong, evidence-based cases to the VA by combining my military and medical experience."

For Huntley-Bosco, expansion represents achievement. "I am proud that I am expanding my business soon! My husband and I recently bought a building in downtown Fredericksburg that is currently undergoing renovations."

A Shared Commitment

What unites these veterans and business owners isn't just their military backgrounds—it's their understanding that leadership means service. They've taken the discipline, adaptability, and integrity forged in military service and applied those principles to create enterprises that strengthen Stafford and Fredericksburg. Their businesses succeed not merely because they're well-run, but because they're rooted in a deeper purpose: lifting their community and each other.

Some are early in their journeys. Others, like Dr. Kuster and Huntley-Bosco, have spent decades building something meaningful. Some, like the Lethbridge brothers and Romeros, are bound by blood and brotherhood as much as business. Yet, all share a conviction that entrepreneurship is "service" by another name.

Matthew Lethbridge articulates what being a veteran business owner means: "Being a veteran comes with advantages. It also comes with added responsibility and expectation to put forth our best effort, to always be respectful, and to work with integrity."

"The journey? Every day seems like a new journey," Houlette reflects. "I am proud of my service, and I am humbled by the opportunity to still be able to serve and be a part of the community. I am truly blessed."

In Fredericksburg and Stafford's veteran-owned businesses, the spirit of service lives on—in different uniforms, under various banners, but with the same unwavering dedication to something larger than themselves.