Two veterans turn military discipline into home improvement businesses

On Veterans Day, two former service members are being highlighted for bringing military leadership and precision into home improvement franchise ownership in Pennsylvania and Indiana. Patrick McDermott and Richard Hull have turned careers in the Air Force and Navy into local businesses that guide homeowners through flooring and inspection decisions.

Why it matters: - Veterans often bring leadership, technical expertise and accountability into civilian work. - Patrick McDermott and Richard Hull are using those skills to help homeowners make major property decisions. - Their businesses show how military experience can translate into local entrepreneurship and community service.

What happened: - McDermott, a 23-year U.S. Air Force veteran, and Hull, a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer with 22 years of service, built home improvement businesses after leaving the military. - McDermott and his wife, Emily, own Floor Coverings International of Greater Pittsburgh. - Hull founded The Hull Team of Pillar To Post Home Inspectors in the Bloomington, Indiana, area. - The veterans are being recognized on Veterans Day for applying military discipline to business ownership.

The details: - McDermott spent 23 years in the Air Force before entering business ownership. - McDermott performed as a classically trained trumpet player at the White House, the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery. - McDermott also played Taps at military funerals. - McDermott later moved into senior Air Force leadership roles and became a certified Project Management Professional. - The McDermotts opened their flooring business July 13 after returning to western Pennsylvania to be closer to family. - McDermott said his military training in integrity, preparation and attention to detail shapes how he runs the business. - McDermott said the flooring business helps homeowners choose materials and manage installation. - Hull served as a Navy Fire Controlman responsible for the maintenance and operation of shipboard weapons systems. - Hull trained and supervised sailors during his 22 years in service. - Hull helped decommission the USS Mississippi and later served on the pre-commissioning crew of the USS Mesa Verde. - Hull said watching a ship move from decommissioning to commissioning left a lasting impression. - After retiring from the Navy, Hull spent 10 years in management roles at Hershey and Kellogg factories. - Hull opened his home inspection business in 2022. - Hull said his Navy background taught him the value of thorough inspections and clear communication. - Hull’s business includes his son, Mason, as a home inspector and his daughter, Morgan, in marketing.

Between the lines: - Both businesses reflect a common veteran-to-entrepreneur path: use military habits in fields where trust and precision matter. - McDermott’s flooring work and Hull’s inspection work both center on high-stakes decisions for homeowners. - Hull’s comments suggest military teamwork still drives his management style in civilian life. - The examples underscore how veteran-owned businesses can anchor local service economies.

What's next: - McDermott and Hull are expected to continue growing their local teams through home improvement services. - Their work will likely keep focusing on customer guidance, preparation and detailed execution. - Veterans Day may bring renewed attention to other veterans building businesses after military service.

The bottom line: - McDermott and Hull show how military training can become a direct advantage in home improvement entrepreneurship.