Mentorship, resilience, and the journey of entrepreneurship

When Jack Veltema ’05 first arrived at Central Michigan University, he already knew he wanted to own a business. That ambition came into focus while working at Pisanello’s Pizza in Mount Pleasant, where owner Jim Jacobs offered him more than just a part-time job.

“Jim did a great job of teaching me and giving me enough responsibility,” Veltema said. “By the end, I was managing inventory, marketing, and learning how to lead a team on busy Friday nights. My relationship with Jim probably helped me as much as any class.”

CMU coursework laid the foundation

Veltema, who majored in entrepreneurship and minored in marketing, also credits his coursework and professors with giving him the structure to build on that foundation. “I remember ENT 401 and 402, where we built a business plan from the ground up. It was as real as you can get when the business itself is fictitious—but when it came time to write my own, I already had the framework,” he said.

Franchising as a path to ownership

After graduation, Veltema spent 17 years with Little Caesars, helping franchise owners open stores and later working in franchise sales. Those years gave him a deep understanding of what it takes to support entrepreneurs—and prepared him for the day when he would take the leap himself.

Today, he owns Hello Garage of Metro Detroit, a franchise specializing in high-end concrete coatings, storage, and organization for garages, basements, and commercial spaces. While his path to business ownership wasn’t a straight line, Veltema views each step as part of the larger journey.

“Success isn’t a straight line—it’s full of ups and downs,” he said. “The important part is to keep learning. Every experience teaches you something you’ll use in the future.”

Advice for future entrepreneurs

Veltema’s advice for current students considering entrepreneurship is simple: don’t underestimate the value of relationships and resilience. “Work hard in the classroom, build your network, and don’t shy away from life experiences outside of it. You go to college to learn, and you can learn wherever you go,” he said.

His story also underscores the role of mentorship in entrepreneurship. Just as his mentor at Pisanello’s gave him responsibility and confidence, Veltema encourages students to seek out people who will challenge and guide them.

Entrepreneurship is a lifelong journey

Whether launching a startup, stepping into a family business, innovating within a company, or buying into a franchise, Veltema sees entrepreneurship as an ongoing process of growth. “This first franchise has been a great learning experience,” he said. “It’s proven to me that I can do this—and while this is my first business, it won’t be my last.”