RALEIGH, N.C. — Owning a small business is tough on its own, but Ralph Sigler did it while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

"I was fortunate enough to have a good number two guy, he ended up running the business while I was gone," Sigler, a lieutenant colonel in the Marines, said. " I would check in with him periodically and make sure everything was running well.”

 

What You Need To Know

  • Ralph Sigler owns Carolina Packaging
  • He credits his business partner with keeping the business going while he was serving overseas
  • Customers say they appreciate working with a veteran

 

Decades later, his business, Carolina Packaging in Raleigh, is thriving. He says being a disabled veteran actually is a sign to customers he can be trusted. 

“I found out that I was disabled," Sigler said. "Two of my knees have been replaced and people just enjoy dealing with an ex-military guy, and they know we are going to get the job done for them. If we say we are going to do something, we do it.”

Sigler seeks to employ other veterans and says his current company is a great place to be. 

“I enjoy coming to work everyday," Sigler said. "I haven’t missed a day of work in 50 years, so that says something for itself.”