VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:
Real Hero Report |
Fox On Point by Vance Rosen
Don’t Be Afraid to Let Go
Airborne Canton
Josh Neville first joined the Army Reserve in
1995 at the age of 17 to help pay for college.
After joining the Army ROTC and graduating
college in 1999 from the University of Colorado,
he was commissioned as an Infantry officer in
the United States Army. He then attended and
graduated from the Army’s elite Ranger School,
Airborne School, and Air Assault School.
Neville was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell,
Kentucky. From there, he deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan in January
2002, and his battalion was one of the first battalions in country. He served
his first combat tour there and then deployed again in January of 2003 as a
part of Iraqi Freedom for his second tour.
After serving in the Army, Neville chose to leave his career in the military
to pursue other goals. He worked and lead teams in several industries, and
like many, found himself feeling unfulfilled in his work and daily routine.
He and his wife Brooke decided to risk it all and build their own business.
Finding a business that the whole family could get excited about and be a
part of was a priority for Neville.
“If you are going to start your own business, you might as well smile and
have fun doing it,” said Neville.
After doing extensive research, Neville decided to bring an indoor
trampoline facility to the families of Cherokee County.
Airborne Canton, named for Neville’s service as an Airborne Ranger,
opened in early October 2018. This 60,000 square foot facility boasts a
10,000 square foot trampoline park, a 9,000 square foot indoor skate park
which features an 18-foot skateboard “mega ramp,” enabling skaters to
land in a massive airbag landing zone. The park also features both indoor
and outdoor soccer training areas.
This facility guarantees fun for kids, and in many cases, the parents as
well. For the parents who want to rest or get work done, there is also a
quiet lounge, as well as a snack bar serving high quality and affordable
premium gelato, snack cups, specialty coffee and craft soda.
Neville credits his time in the Army for his leadership skills and his
perseverance as a new business owner. “Building this park has been more
challenging than any other career but nothing is ever as difficult as combat.
Having that reference point to draw from has been so helpful,” said Neville.
“There have been countless times where I could have quit due to very
difficult challenges.”
Neville comes from a long line of veterans, including both grandfathers
who served in WWII. One also served in Korea and Vietnam. He also has
surrounded himself with veterans in his business. Airborne Canton’s
Director of Operations is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and has three
combat tours leading Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams in both Iraq
and Afghanistan. Two other partners are Marine Corps and Navy veterans
and one is a former federal law enforcement officer.
The Nevilles are very enthusiastic about their business, but they are even
happier about being a part of the community.
“We believe the purpose of building a business is to help people in the
community. It is not just about making money. Of course, the business has
to make money or it dies. But the business is just a tool God provides to
help others,” said Neville.
For more information and to check out Airborne Canton, visit them online
at www.airbornecanton.com.
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/www.airbornecanton.com