Apr 27, 2022
008 Justin Jones: How A Veteran’s Passion Gives Back To American Heroes
Justin Jones is a true American hero. As a veteran himself, Justin knew he wanted to find a way to give back to other service members and first responders. In 2016, he started taking other veterans out on hunting trips to reconnect with nature and bond with others who shared similar experiences. Over time, this hobby turned into an official organization called American Hero Hunt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4rM_XxjVtI
Through this group, Justin continues to provide opportunities for veterans and first responders to connect and deepen their appreciation of the great outdoors. Justin is committed to helping American Heroes reconnect with the world around them in meaningful ways.
Justin talks about how his organization has spread quickly through his online presence. Thanks to his hard work and dedication, American Hero Hunt has quickly become one of the most beloved organizations in the country!
Missed our last episode with Salena? Watch it or listen now!
TranscriptJustin Jones (00:00):
Um, I don't know, it's just, and now that I've started doing it, the biggest thing that, you know, keeps me going so to speak is, is, is when I see the difference we make with our heroes on these weekend hunts
Announcer (00:13):
Starting sustaining and having a successful small business is hard, but you already knew that, but wouldn't it be great to have a podcast that talks to and digs in to the people who've made it problem solved. This is local vibes, small business success stories, talking to successful small businesses from around America. You'll hear awesome stories about how they got started and how they survived and thrived online. And in their communities, we find out their special vibe. Welcome to local vibes, brought to you by ultimate online marketing.com. Now here, your hosts, pat and Angie Cher.
Announcer (01:02):
All right, let's do this.
Angie Cherubini (01:04):
Hi everybody. It's Patna Angie ch from local vibes where we talk to local business owners or organization owners, or about their business or the organization that they're with and how they have a great local vibe and how they have, what, what's my word, what's my word, how they have, uh, grown and actually how they started. That's the big they, they start
Pat Cherubini (01:35):
Struggles and tell a story of, of what's going on. So just start off
Angie Cherubini (01:38):
By start tongue tied
Pat Cherubini (01:39):
By, uh, asking you, you know, your origin story, who you are, the name of your company, that's right there on your phone. Do
Angie Cherubini (01:47):
You call it, do you guys call it a company, American hero hunt?
Justin Jones (01:50):
Um, more, more so an organization usually, um,
Pat Cherubini (01:54):
Just let us know how it started and, and where you're at.
Justin Jones (01:58):
Um, yeah, so my name's Justin Jones. I am the founder and president of American hero hunt. Um, 2016 ish. I had an idea just to, I mean, I've always been big into hunting. Um, so I kind of had an idea to, you know, give back to some veterans and, um, you know, along with the other couple buddies, we, we put it together. We took two heroes out, uh, two veterans at that point, it was just veterans only, um, just nonchalant way to give back to 'em. One did, uh, Whitetail, and then one did waterfowl. We did that for two years. Um, and then we decided, you know, we're not gonna be able to, we're not gonna be able to do this out of our own pocket for very long. So we decided to, um, you know, apply for our nonprofit organization, our, our 5 0 1 [inaudible] and, um, I, everything went through that happened in early 2019 is when we became a full 5 0 1.
Justin Jones (02:51):
But, um, we've just blown up since then. Um, and I mean, I can't, there's always more goals and more stuff I want to do every day and my ambitions are high, but we kind of, kind of, you know, take it slow and build it. So, um, it's just, it's always, and I mean, me being a veteran myself,