ABOUT DON SCOTT

Please describe your service to our country: Presently on Active Duty for 25 + yrs, CW3/SF. 6 yrs Navy (Corpsman 5thForce Reconnaissance Company, III MEF) and 19 yrs Army (13F B Co 1/75 RGR, 18C and 180A 7th Special Forces Group). Several deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq starting in 2002. Numerous deployments in Southeast Asia (PI, Guam, Thailand, Australia, Indonesia, Tinian) and South and Central America (Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and El Salvador).

When did you retire? I retire in October 2019.

Please describe what the SOF brotherhood means to you: It’s always been about those on your left and right. Being surrounded by like minded people who always want to accomplish the mission or task at hand. They have always been family.

How has the transition from warfighter to civilian gone? I haven’t transitioned yet but it has been definitely difficult trying to juggle both careers. It is still a steep learning curve everyday. Mentors have been key.

What is the name of the business you started? Team Room Designs, LLC

When did you start it? December 2016

Why did you start this company? Purely happenstance. Built a Flag for a Medically Retiring SF Soldier/Friend when I took over the S-8. Realized my 3 man shop was responsible for the cost and built some more to cover the costs. Kept receiving requests for more, so I kept building and expanding into promotional items with an addition of a laser.

Please describe your products/services: Custom built wooden Flags, challenge coin holders, concealment furniture, laser etching, hand carving, CNC carving, Dry bars with custom glassware, personalized metal cups

Where is it located? Ponce de Leon, Florida

What does this company mean to you/why is it important? A new chapter in life and hopefully a legacy to pass on to my children if they so choose. It has been very therapeutic and decompressing as well.

What have been some challenges as an entrepreneur? Trying to price your product, trying to expand production and your product line, marketing, just not knowing what you don’t know. Website building. I think just about everything–hahahaha.

What is the best part of being an entrepreneur? Making it up each day. Knowing that it all fails or succeeds based off my decisions and work ethic. Dealing with people and learning from them.

How did your SOF career prepare you for what you are doing now? (In what ways have you drawn on your experiences as a SOF soldier in your business life?) Being able to draw on others who have already transitioned (listening to their successes and failures). Dealing with people whether they are angry or happy with your product/services. Formulating a plan and making sure you can be flexible with it as the situation changes.

What do you offer the consumer not only through your business, but also through your expertise as a SOF Veteran? Quality product and support for the SOF Community through donations. I believe we (SOF business owners) have to give back to our own before we can ask others to help out/donate.

Who has influenced you as an entrepreneur? Rick Elder from Beyond Clothing and Melissa Matson the Operations Manager for MATBOCK—they always make time for my endless questions and provide honest feedback (even if it hurts).

Why do you live where you live? 7thGroup is stationed here and I am assigned there. I am also originally from here. I was born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and grew up in Crestview, FL.

Favorite food? A great Steak

Favorite place in the world? The Beach

Favorite movie? A Bronx Tale

Favorite book/books? Ugly American

Pets? Two Labs and miniature donkey

What do you like to do in your spare time? What is that? Fish on the river with my twin boys.

Words you live by (ethos)? In a hundred years no one will know it ever happened (so get after it and who cares what anyone thinks)