November 10, 2021
Air Force veteran making most of entrepreneurial opportunity
One could say the entrepreneurial itch for Doug Thomas began 30-years ago when he started martial arts training, which was nine years into an Air Force career that would eventually last 26 years. Upon retiring from the Air Force in 2008, he landed in Goldsboro, North Carolina and began working at AT&T.
Then, a couple of years ago, he learned about the entrepreneurship certificate offered by the Miller School of Entrepreneurship and College of Business (COB). He thought this certificate would help him launch an idea that had been kicking around in his head since 2017.
“I tend to train with martial arts weapons a lot,” said Thomas, a second-degree black belt in four different styles. “Since I teach and train in different locations, I have to carry my gear bag around with me, and it’s real heavy because of all the weapons I use.”
His entrepreneurial idea led to a compact kit that could store 25 different weapons. Prototypes were developed, which he eventually pitched in the annual Pirate Entrepreneurship Challenge.
Then another entrepreneurial opportunity landed at his feet.
“My (martial arts) instructor indicated to me that he was planning on turning his school over to me,” said Thomas.
Eventually, Thomas shifted from a certificate pursuit to a double major in Entrepreneurship and Sports Studies, and after transferring more than 161 hours, the senior is taking full advantage of what the COB and the Miller School are providing with regard to his entrepreneurship degree.
“My participation has paved the way for me to participate in RiseUp Academy, Accelerate Rural NC and I-Corps,” said Thomas. “All these opportunities popped up and kind of changed my life.”
Thomas not only immersed himself in the world of entrepreneurship studies, but like other “traditional” students, he immersed himself in ECU organizations, e.g., Pirate Veterans Organization, Martial Arts Club, Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization, Kinesiology Majors Club, and Sigma Nu Tau, the entrepreneurship honor society. The 58-year, recently named a Chesson Fellow by the Miller School, is also a member of the COB’s Peer Mentor Group, who serve as mentors for first-year business students.
“It was an opportunity to help fellow students,” said Thomas.
It seems that Thomas’ collegiate pursuits are paying off. In the recent Overton Pitch Competition, Thomas’ martial arts compact kit idea was very successful. Thomas won $6,000 to invest in his business, a dollar amount that was the highest handed out at the competition.
Plus, Thomas will move on to the second round of the fifth annual Pirate Entrepreneurship Challenge, where his product will compete with eleven other ideas/products to advance to April’s final round.