When Aki Summers retired from the United States Air Force after 21 years of service, she followed through on achieving one of her life-long dreams to become a business owner.
The 5 year Stage 3 cancer survivor created Anamazees®, a 5-in-1 pacifier toy for babies. Along the way, the lessons from her time in the Armed Forces have helped guide her and give her the perseverance to continue.
As a part of our Rare Goes Yellow series, we wanted to see how her experience in the military has shaped her as a small business owner.
Rare: Why did you start your business?
Aki Summers: Well, I’ve always wanted my own business for as long as I can remember and since I had decided to retire from the United States Air Force (USAF) I said, now is the perfect time to become the retired military mompreneaur!
Also, being a stage 3 cancer survivor (5 years 8 months) it was something that has always been on my “bucket list” and I wanted to see it through. I also wanted the freedom to make my decisions with life’s most important asset, time. I wanted to be able to work my own schedule and around my two sons, Christian and Vernon (VJ).
R: What compelled you to serve your country?
AK: Back in the early 90’s (hope I’m not dating myself here) I attended 4 years of Army JROTC in high school under the leadership of Lt Col Morgan and SSGT Johnson. They along with several cousins were my inspiration. Two in particular were LaShawn and Tameka. They had actually joined the USAF and were serving active duty at the time. I knew then, I too wanted to serve my country just like them. So, 10 days after my high school graduation I found myself at basic training at Lackland AFB, TX. Initially I was only going to stay in four years. But that four years turned into 21 years and six months. I enjoyed every moment of it.
R: What part of your time in service to you take with you the most?
AK: Out of all my assignments, including my very first one working at the Pentagon, VA, then on eventually to Seoul, Korea, and lastly Robins AFB here in Georgia where I retired out of; AFROTC Detachment 320 at Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana was the most meaningful.
Being able to see and have a direct influence on your future AF leaders. I remember my first year as a Tulane Cadre Staff member I’d see dozens of freshmen enter our program and I’d go into my office at the late end of the day, close my door, and shake my head (thinking Lord, this is the future, our leadership??) but then as the weeks, months, and years went by being able to help develop their potential into the successful officers they turned out to be… They literally transformed right there before my eyes. It was my most proudest moments seeing the various stages of progression. Starting out undisciplined, unknowing, no leadership skills but by their senior year I had watched them become a United States Air Force Officer, and to know I had a part in that, it was by far my most challenging yet most rewarding assignment.
R: What makes a veteran-owned business unique?
AK: I may be a little bias here but veteran owned businesses are unique for several reasons. I’ll discuss what I feel is the most important, it’s simple, our dedication to the business. You see each military branch carries what they call Core Values. They are etched within our hearts and souls. The Air Forces Core Values are: Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in ALL You Do! Once you have “lived” that, well it becomes WHO you are.
Another example, the Marine Corps. Their Core Values are: Honor, Courage, and Commitment. These core values define how EVERY Marine thinks, acts, and fights. Whether in or out of uniform our core values will always be there, during active duty and beyond.
So basically, with my business and I also feel confident in vouching for other veteran-owned businesses as well, these values are carried out in everything we do. On or off base, in or out of battle, the core values are there and reflect through everyday business practices. You WILL get just a little bit more from a veteran owned business. It’s just their or our natural way of life.
R: Are there specific things you learned from your time in service that you can apply to your business?
AK: Perseverance – To sum it up would be the perseverance to keep going. Just like any job or business there will be ups and downs and well with having your OWN business I’ve experienced a lot more downs. What I did constantly during my time in service, and what I’ve carried over to continue to do every day now is, push through it. Whether it’s the long hours, financing or lack of, competitors, or constantly being told NO, I just keep pushing through because well that’s what you must do. You have to have formed the right positive attitude even before starting your business and it, along with perseverance, will see you through.
R: What is your favorite part about being a business owner?
AK: I don’t have a favorite part but one of my proudest moments was receiving my first trademark registration, Anamazees® and being issued my first patent for them. It was something I could sit down, talk, and explain to my children about. The fruits of hard earned labor, something that will be a part of our future legacy. This is something I did and just one of the many honors that come along with having your own business and especially running it independently.
R: What are the biggest challenges about owning your own business?
AK: My biggest challenge would be, being the sole owner and operator of my business, meaning wearing so many different hats and being able to smartly balance that time for each of those responsibilities and family time too.
In other words, I’m doing well but not quite at the point to where I can hire employees yet, so I manage all aspects of the business. I’m marketing, resource/financing, product development/procurement, web site/social media manager, communications, you name it, I’m it : ) and at the end of the day I’m still Mommy. That title is the most rewarding and gives me the motivation to get up the very next day and do it all over again.
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