---
title: "New DreamMaker Partnership with ZeroMils will Empower Veterans and Their Families"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/9bd14660-015f-4139-acc0-b721d4f16b3b
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20230711_new_dreammaker_partnership_with_zeromils_will_empower_veterans_and_their_fa.html
category: "Remodel & surfaces"
industry: "Home Services"
segment: "Remodel & surfaces"
published: 2023-07-11T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T20:32:15.963Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1572120360610-d971b9d7767c?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# New DreamMaker Partnership with ZeroMils will Empower Veterans and Their Families

**TL;DR:** DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen has partnered with ZeroMils to support veterans and their families in becoming entrepreneurial leaders. The partnership aims to create a supportive environment for veterans to establish themselves as successful business owners.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2023-07-11. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20230711_new_dreammaker_partnership_with_zeromils_will_empower_veterans_and_their_fa.html).*

## Story

Both companies recognize the immense potential within the veteran community. They strive to create even more opportunities for veterans to be entrepreneurial leaders in their communities.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, veterans are 45 percent more likely to start and run small businesses compared to their civilian counterparts. Within franchising, veterans are even more active. Veterans make up 6% of the population, but 14% of franchises in the U.S. are veteran-owned.

Together, DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen and ZeroMils will leverage resources and extensive networks to create a supportive environment for veterans and their families.

"We believe it is important for veterans to realize their purpose and potential here on the homefront and in the business community,” says DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen President and Chief Stewarding Officer Doug Dwyer.

Kevin Schmiegel, CEO of ZeroMils, adds, "Our companies are committed to giving veterans the opportunities they deserve to establish themselves as successful business owners. Through our partnership with DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen, we aim to support veterans in achieving their entrepreneurial dreams."

Doug Dwyer is President and Chief Stewarding Officer of DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen, a home remodeling franchise, that helps veterans achieve strong margins and a better quality of life. He is also a committee member of the International Franchise Association’s VetFran program - a program to encourage franchise ownership that was started by his father Don, a Korean War veteran, in 1991.

Kevin Schmiegel is Chief Executive Officer at ZeroMils and is based in Washington, D.C. A retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, Kevin is a mission-focused leader with a proven track record for rapidly scaling nonprofits and a reputation for delivering significant results. His father also was a veteran.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Home Services (sector)
- franchising (topic)
- partnership (topic)
- home services (topic)
- veteran support (topic)
- VetFran (company)
- DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen (company)
- Small Business Administration (regulator)
- Marine Corps (company)
- veteran entrepreneurship (topic)
- Doug Dwyer (person)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20230711_new_dreammaker_partnership_with_zeromils_will_empower_veterans_and_their_fa.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/9bd14660-015f-4139-acc0-b721d4f16b3b).