For 30 years, Joe Maassen served with honor in the Washington Army National Guard. When it came time for mandatory retirement, it was a piece of his life that was hard to let go.

"I really enjoyed working for the Army National Guard," said Maassen, who retired as a lieutenant colonel.

Twenty-seven of his 30 years in the Guard was spent on active status. He deployed overseas twice: once to Iraq in 2004, and once to Afghanistan in 2012, where he served as an advisor.

About a year prior to retirement, Maassen entered the Servicemember for Life - Transition Assistance Program, made available to active-duty, Guard and Reserve soldiers and airmen, which provides separation counseling, transition and employment assistance services.

"I encourage anyone I can to take advantage of those services at the first opportunity," Maassen said. "I did that to figure out if I wanted to own my own business or work for someone else."

When he retired in June 2014, he made the transition to the civilian world with peace of mind knowing that he and his wife, Kirsten, would be okay.

"I had the luxury of my wife working at Boeing for over twenty years," he said. "My retirement and her working worked out well for me to start a business."

In August 2014, he discovered a franchise called Caring Transitions. The company helps aging parents transition out of their homes into smaller, more sustainable living spaces.

"Helping the elderly was something I was interested in," Maassen said. "I heard about the Seattle franchise and met Jennifer Black, the (Seattle) franchise owner."

Black told Maassen how she had to continue turning away South Sound business.

"She encouraged me to start a franchise in the South Sound," he said. "I did some research, and my wife gave me some time to think about it."

Maassen's "thinking about it" turned into a cross-country motorcycle trip atop his Harley Davidson Street Glide. He rode 12,000 miles and hit the four corners of the U.S., all while contemplating his future as a franchisee.

Maassen said the experience of riding the open road was awesome.

"I'm so glad my wife gave me the opportunity to do that," he said.

In December 2014, Maassen purchased the franchise, and last March, he began taking clients. As a military veteran, he received a significant discount on the purchase of his franchise.

"(Any military veteran) thinking about making the leap should ask about military discounts," he recommended.

Maassen manages his business at 10011 Bridgeport Way SW in Lakewood. He has the luxury of hiring his own staff and has 10 employees.

"I like to hire retired people who are flexible," he said. "Five of those I hired are former military, and a few I worked with for ten to fifteen years in the Army National Guard."

The training he received in the military continually keeps him focused on the mission, Maassen said, which in his business translates to taking care of the client.

For more information, visit www.caringtransitionsofsps.com.