A Journey of Strength and Service
Jeff Hall, a seasoned healthcare professional and community advocate has made significant strides in both his career and his commitment to service. Jeff’s journey began in Chicago, raised by a strong single mother and influential grandmothers. His early life was marked by resiliency and responsibility as at the age nine, he took on adult responsibilities, including caring for his baby sister. He left school after his sophomore year to support his family and started his career in telemarketing, where he quickly rose to supervisor.
Jeff’s path took a pivotal turn when he joined the Navy at age 20 as a Hospital Corpsman subsequently serving in that role for 22 years. Throughout his military career, he gained invaluable experience in healthcare and mentored thousands of active-duty military men and women during multiple deployments in the Middle East and Far East.
Shortly after retiring from active duty, Jeff earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern and his Master of Science in Health informatics.
Jeff has been a trailblazer in project management; implementing customized telemedicine projects for the federal government and introducing telemedicine to the State Department with an overall purpose of improving healthcare outcomes for veterans. In addition to his professional accomplishments, he is deeply involved in nonprofit work, serving on boards, organizing community service projects and participating in various fundraising efforts. His passions include addressing veteran issues such as PTSD, homelessness, and suicide prevention, as well as combating food insecurity and supporting underserved populations.
In 2016, Jeff connected with his mentor Ross Miller, and in 2021 he acquired Ross’s company SafetyNet Solutions, with a goal of revitalizing the well-established firm. Today, Jeff Hall leads Safety Net Solutions with a continued commitment to community service and a passion for veterans’ issues.
Jeff Hall’s connection with the SBA equipped him with guidance and support in strategic planning, community engagement, and government contracting. The NH SBA had the opportunity to discuss his experiences and how the SBA and others influenced his professional journey.
How did your military experience shape your leadership style and what skills from your military service do you think are the most valuable in the small business environment and that you use?
My military experience as a United States Navy Hospital Corpsman, where I earned the Fleet Marine Force, Surface Warfare, and Air Warfare designations, shaped my leadership style by instilling a strong sense of discipline, adaptability, and teamwork. The skills of strategic planning, decision-making under pressure, and effective communication have been invaluable in the small business environment.
You have utilized programs in the past like VETRN – is there something that you could share from this experience that has made it easier to navigate small business success?
Completing the 2023/2024 VETRN Program provided me with essential entrepreneurial skills and a robust support network. The program’s focus on practical business strategies and mentorship made navigating small business success much more manageable, equipping me with the tools to handle various challenges effectively.
In the government contracting arena, what resources have you found valuable in your quest in bidding and getting contracts? And what advice would you give someone contemplating selling to the government?
In the government contracting arena, resources such as the Small Business Administration (SBA), APEX Accelerators, and mentorship from experienced contractors have been invaluable. My advice to anyone contemplating selling services or goods to the government is to thoroughly understand the procurement process, build relationships with key stakeholders, and continuously seek guidance from available resources.
Having a mentor is an important part of small business success – what is the best advice your mentor gave you and what made you decide to become a SCORE Mentor?
The best advice my mentor, Ross, gave me was to remain resilient and adaptable in the face of challenges. His guidance and wealth of experience were crucial in revitalizing Safety Net Solutions. Inspired by this mentorship, I decided to become a SCORE Mentor to pay it forward and help other aspiring entrepreneurs navigate their paths to success.
What advice do you wish you knew before embarking on your journey?
I wish I knew the importance of leveraging available resources and building a solid network early on. Understanding the value of mentorship, continuous learning, and the power of resilience would have made the initial stages of my entrepreneurial journey smoother.
SafetyNet Solutions (SNS) is a well-established IT and engineering solutions company based in Nashua, NH. SNS provides consultation services and has created innovations that significantly enhance the U.S. Military operations. The company was awarded the SBA 2009 Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year in Region One.