Randy Byars: Using his Roots to Grow His Business

Randy Byars knows what hard work is all about. Serving for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as a military policeman, he learned what it [caption id="attachment_15833" align="alignright" width="212" caption="Randy Byars"][/caption] took to be successful in business at the age of 18. Byars received a business degree in 1979 and was most notably in Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Urgent Fury. After leaving the Air Force, Byars worked in the distribution and warehousing industry for 15 years, yet always knew he wanted to run his own business. Byars opened up The Grounds Guys of Southern Mobile, Alabama in 2012 with his wife Lucy Hastings. He operates the business as a disabled veteran and their location is registered as a woman-owned business. Byars sustained significant hearing loss while on active duty, and Hastings is the principle owner of the franchise. “I was raised on a farm and we grew hay, so I understood a lot about growing and caring for that commodity, so The Grounds Guys was a natural fit,“ said Byars, who was looking for a business that could prosper in Southern Mobile. Before sustaining ear injury, Byars wanted to incorporate his previously-learned skills to be a well-rounded business owner. While on active duty, Byars won many military awards, which included being recognized as an expert marksman for 15 consecutive years. Now, Byars has set his sights on hitting another target, that being to operate a $1 million business by 2022, and he doesn’t plan on doing it alone. Byars gravitates toward vets because he knows the dedication and focus that is expected of them in service. “Veterans understand the concept of working on a team because that’s how we’re trained,” added Byars. “What we do at The Grounds Guys is pretty labor intensive and it’s dirty, and I’ve found that most veterans are not afraid of that.” With his teamwork mindset and dedication to the business, there is no doubt that Byars will hit his business goal. Going back to his roots at his family’s farm will only help him to continue to grow his business with other veterans by his side. An expert marksman never loses sight of his target that’s for sure.