After serving in the U.S. Army for 29 years, Ray Ferguson turned his entrepreneurial passion and expertise into a platform for supporting transitioning military personnel. Through an initiative known as “Boots in Business”, Ferguson guides military veterans to channel their unique skills into prosperous careers in the realm of business and real estate.
Ferguson, who retired in 2017, brings considerable life experience to his current role, having served deployments in Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. During his stint in the Army, he also spent considerable time in academic settings, teaching at Officer Candidate School, Command & General Staff College, and Lincoln University ROTC Program.
His stellar service record in the military is paralleled by his achievements in the business arena. As the 2024 incoming President of the Southern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Ferguson has been recognized as the 2022 Business Person of the Year both in Petersburg, VA, and by the SOVA Chamber. His entrepreneurial acumen ranges from real estate development to mentoring over 125 business owners and real estate investors.
Among his notable undertakings in the business world, Ferguson spearheaded more than 100 live and in-person real estate meetings between 2017 and 2024, witnessing a growing membership of over 1,500 individuals. As a real estate developer, he successfully flipped over 50 properties while still on active duty or retired.
Today, Ferguson is utilizing his experiences and leveraging the power of digital media to reach and enrich the entrepreneurial journeys of military personnel across the globe. Through the Boots in Business initiative, services like podcasts, blogs, and courses are offered, equipping military members with the skills to transition confidently into the business sphere.
Ferguson’s current projects include the Boot Camp: Real Estate Investing Basics Course and the Basic Training: Entrepreneurship Course, set to be completed by June 2022. He also plans to launch a subscription-based Community Networking group offering weekly real estate and entrepreneurship webinars, in-depth Q&As, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Customers are already applauding the initiative’s effectiveness. Anna Barlow, a realtor, asserts that “Boots in Business is tailored for military members, empowering you with the knowledge and tools to succeed in real estate investing.”
With a mission to aid the smooth transition of military brothers and sisters into the civilian business world, Ferguson’s endeavor seems poised to shape the future of military entrepreneurship.
To learn more, you can engage with the project through Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Spotify.