Introduction

Troy’s story is proof that life often takes us in directions we never could have imagined. Ten years ago, if someone had told him he’d be a business consultant, he would’ve thought they were out of their mind. Coming from a family steeped in education—his father was an educator for 35 years, his mother a high school principal, and his partner working on her doctorate in education—it seemed natural that he might follow in those footsteps. However, Troy quickly realized he didn’t fit into systems that felt restrictive or illogical. He was a good teacher, but disdain for ineffective systems left him searching for a different path.

From Almost Educator to Aquatics Director

Raised in a family of educators, Troy came close to becoming a teacher himself, with a father who taught for 35 years and a mother who was both a high school principal and a university professor. However, Troy’s aversion to flawed systems and excessive bureaucracy led him down a different path. He became an aquatics director, drawing on his experience as an ocean lifeguard, and managed a team of 200 employees and a multimillion-dollar budget across seven facilities.

Troy thrived by creating efficient processes and focusing on solid hiring practices. By restructuring operations, he turned a major deficit into a profitable budget within a year.

 From the Ocean to the Office: Building Leadership in Aquatics

Troy’s first career pivot landed him in the world of aquatics. As a former ocean lifeguard and aquatics director, he excelled at managing both people and operations. In one role, he transformed a struggling aquatics program by implementing more innovative hiring practices and establishing transparent processes. His strategies took the program from seven figures in the red to nearly seven figures in the black within a year. This was Troy’s first big lesson in building foundations for success through accountability and optimized systems, which he would carry into his consulting work years later. Despite his accomplishments, micromanagement from higher-ups eventually drove Troy to leave this field.

In 2013, Troy left his aquatics role and spent two years touring as a professional musician, performing in over 14 countries. The intense experience honed his resilience and grit, though it ultimately ended when the band faced issues with addiction. Returning to Portland, Troy found himself in the employment advocacy field, working with the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) on an initiative to create internship opportunities for underserved youth through the SummerWorks program. Despite initially lacking experience in business development, Troy quickly found his stride. 

Troy discovered his passion for helping others build meaningful careers in this role. Over his 10-month contract, he built relationships across Portland and created 1,000 internships—a record-breaking accomplishment that more than doubled the previous high.

Troy also took on a caseload of 74 young adults, connecting with them and understanding their unique challenges. His empathy and passion for helping others opened his eyes to the impact he could make by bridging the gap between individuals with barriers to employment and the opportunities available in their community.

Troy’s achievements stemmed from his dedication to connecting with youth and business owners. He brought nonprofits, government organizations, and local businesses together to form partnerships. This role marked the beginning of Troy’s journey into networking and advocacy.

 Creating Jobs for Youth in Portland: The Start of Vanguard’s Mission

Troy’s work with IRCO brought him a new opportunity with Community Vision, one of the largest nonprofits serving individuals with developmental disabilities. Although he initially struggled in the role, his persistence and passion shone through. He took on cases that seemed impossible, including one involving a woman with a history of being underestimated by the system. The woman, Lori, was considered unemployable; her records were filled with pages dismissing her as incapable. But Troy saw something different when he met her—a vibrant, capable individual with a love for coffee, bicycles, and a boyfriend. 

Troy’s approach was unconventional but effective. He arranged for her to work a trial period at a nonprofit bike shop, adapting the role to her strengths using specially designed tools to accommodate her physical limitations. Lori’s success at the bike shop led to a permanent position, proving her ability to contribute and challenging the biases of those who had dismissed her potential.

The Founding of Vanguard Employment: Removing Barriers to Success

This work ignited a more profound commitment in Troy to advocate for those facing barriers to employment. However, he grew frustrated with the rigid criteria that limited Community Vision’s reach. They could only work with clients diagnosed before age 18 with specific disabilities. This restriction left many deserving individuals without support, ultimately inspiring Troy to create Vanguard Employment in 2019, later evolving it into Vanguard Collective.

After witnessing the rigid limitations placed on those with disabilities, Troy felt it was time to start something new. He founded Vanguard Employment to eliminate barriers to employment, working not just with individuals with developmental disabilities but anyone facing job market challenges. His vision was simple: if someone wanted to work, he’d help them find a job, regardless of background or disability.

The Resilience of Vanguard Collective and the Mission to Continue

In the first year, Vanguard Employment created 26 jobs across a diverse client base, helping individuals with neurodivergent needs, physical disabilities, and other challenges. By early in the second year, they were on track to surpass this number—until COVID-19 hit, abruptly pausing everything.

Despite the pandemic’s challenges, Troy and his team found ways to support clients. They continued to create jobs, even without financial backing, by partnering with businesses that could offer meaningful roles. The pandemic reinforced his commitment to creating a support network that wouldn’t let anyone fall through the cracks.

The Shift to Business Consulting and Coaching

As Troy continued to help people find meaningful work, he encountered clients who sought his guidance in other business areas. One client’s request to have Troy as his business coach marked a significant turning point in Troy’s career. Despite his initial surprise, Troy embraced the role, transitioning into a business consultant with a focus on helping businesses establish solid foundations through a five-pillar framework:

In his work with clients, Troy’s aim is to help business owners build strong foundations that will serve them for years to come. I use a curated approach to business development that revolves around five key pillars:

1. Vision, Values, and Culture: Start with the internal core of the business—vision, values, and culture. These form the foundation of everything a company stands for and guide its growth.

2. Mission and Purpose: Externally, the company’s mission and purpose communicate its goals to the world. This is what clients and potential partners see and connect with.

3. Operations and HR Manuals: A solid foundation includes a clear HR handbook and operations manual. Creating these documents prepares the business for future growth even for companies with few employees.

4. . Financial Planning: Budgeting and forecasting are critical. I help my clients set up basic budgets and show them how to project their finances realistically.

5. Marketing and Client Retention: I don’t claim to be a marketing expert, but I help align a company’s message with its values. I often integrate employee engagement strategies as well as client retention strategies, as keeping clients engaged and loyal is essential.

Vanguard’s approach focuses on these foundational areas so business owners can move out of the day-to-day operations, freeing up time to scale or even prepare for an exit.

Troy works with businesses in two main categories: those facing a “dumpster fire” situation and those preparing for a three-to-five-year growth or exit strategy. Through Vanguard Collective, he provides support to help clients develop strong, lasting business foundations.

Building Business Success and Connection with Network in Action

Networking is often the backbone of any successful business. The right connections can enhance your professional growth and create a community that amplifies your efforts. Recently, Troy had the opportunity to connect with someone who shared a similar passion for networking and fostering meaningful business relationships, mainly through a new organization making waves: Network in Action (NIA).

With NIA, Troy could focus on quality connections and build a network to refer clients to other trusted professionals confidently. This model fits his values perfectly, allowing him to create meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships without the bureaucracy he had found challenging in other networking settings.

Conclusion: A Journey Defined by Purpose and Advocacy

Troy’s journey from teaching to consulting, with a detour through music, aquatics, and nonprofit work, illustrates how varied experiences can shape one’s purpose. His drive to support individuals facing employment barriers has led him to build Vanguard Collective into more than just a consulting firm—a mission-driven business dedicated to creating opportunities and challenging outdated assumptions about what people can achieve.

For Troy, it’s not just about finding people jobs; it’s about giving individuals the dignity of work, helping businesses grow, and proving that with the proper support, everyone can thrive.