Who doesn’t love thriving in the face of change and a great entrepreneurial story all wrapped into one???

As a motivational speaker who often focuses on change and the progress it brings, I try to keep an eye out for these topics. Sometimes they pop up when you least expect it.

Recently I was down in Harrisonburg, Virginia visiting my alma mater, James Madison University. My wife and I enjoyed walking around the campus, and then went to a coffee shop right off campus. As we pulled away, I looked up a side street and saw two flags hanging in front of a small building a ways away – the U.S. flag and the Marine Corps flag. “Come on,” my wife said. “I know you want to investigate that so let’s go check it out!”

Of course I did. As a former Marine myself, I wondered what was down there. And I am glad we spun around to take a look.

As background, when I was an undergraduate there (almost 30 years ago!!), there weren’t many restaurants, bars or coffee shops right around the campus. But that has definitely changed now, and I am jealous of all the options today’s students have. As it turns out, another Iraq War combat Marine and his brother (both from Philadelphia) opened up Urgie's Cheeseteaks, an authentic Philly-style cheesesteak joint right there in Harrisonburg several years ago, and another one more recently in nearby Bridgewater. Tommy and Steve Urglavitch have done a fantastic job bringing a taste of Philly to the Shenandoah Valley, and I really enjoyed my delicious meal at Urgie’s Cheesesteaks. 

Although I didn’t get a chance to meet either of the brothers, I did spend a few minutes with the waiter learning about how the business started, and all the support they provide military members and first responders. I am so glad I looked up that street and wish them the best of luck going forward. Change is progress, and it is happening all around us!

Justin Constantine is an inspirational and motivational speaker who speaks (live and virtually) to companies, nonprofit organizations and universities of all shapes and sizes. He focuses on thriving in the face of change, resilience, that it’s okay to ask for help, and that you are stronger than you think you are.