After the Military: How One Veteran Found His Next Mission in Spray Foam

From Ammunitions Warrant Officer to Spray Foam Business Owner

Clifford Harris, Jr. spent 20 years, 4 months, and 17 days in the U.S. Army, retiring in 2017 after a career as an ammunitions warrant officer. He spent years briefing colonels, generals, and enlisted soldiers alike — experience that, as it turns out, prepared him for something he never expected: talking to customers.

When he retired, Clifford needed something to close the financial gap between military life and retirement. He tried trucking first, hauling a dually with a 40-ft trailer, but an injury from his service years made that lifestyle unsustainable.

The idea for his next chapter came from home. After his son graduated high school and converted a shed into a tiny house, his son and his son’s girlfriend outgrew it and moved into Clifford’s 30×40 workshop. Their general contractor specified spray foam insulation for the conversion, and Clifford watched the installer move fast through the job. Fast enough that a few spots got missed. He bought a canister and spot-sprayed them himself.

That’s when it clicked. Clifford remembered the spray foam Special Forces contractors used to climate-control 40-ft ammunitions bunkers overseas. If it could insulate a bunker, it could build a business. His wife gave him the green light immediately.

Too Many Options, Not Enough Answers

Clifford started calling every spray rig supplier he could find. The brochures and estimates piled up fast — and so did the confusion. Nobody was giving him a straight answer until he talked to Ryan Hamilton at SprayEZ.

Ryan didn’t lead with a sales pitch. He started by building Clifford’s foundation of spray foam knowledge, then sent out a demo rig so Clifford could confirm this was something he actually wanted to do. Only after that did they talk business needs. Clifford had exactly one job lined up — so Ryan recommended the SprayEZ starter rig, an honest call for someone just getting started, easy to learn and operate.

Support That Didn’t Stop at Delivery

After the rig arrived and training wrapped, Ryan called to check in on how it went — and used that call to pass along extra tips he’d picked up over the years in the field.

When Clifford took on his first real job, Ryan offered to stay on the phone the whole time. Good thing he did — Clifford hit a small snafu mid-spray, and Ryan talked him through it in real time. Job finished, no panic.

Four Years Later, Still Running the Same Rig

Four years on, Clifford and his son are still running that same starter machine — his son now sprays full time. Together they’ve built BWT General Contracting & Spray Foam, a veteran-owned business based in Cross Timber, Texas, now offering spray foam insulation alongside flooring, drywall, painting, and handyman services. They’ve never spent a dollar on advertising. Every job has come from word of mouth.

That’s about to change. Clifford is preparing to purchase an upgraded rig to start spraying ExpandoThane seamless roofing this fall — the next phase of growth for a business that started with a missed spot and a canister.

What Made the Difference

For Clifford, it wasn’t the equipment that sold him — it was the relationship.

“Ryan wasn’t selling me anything I didn’t need. He just wanted to see me succeed.”

Ryan always takes the call. If he can’t, he texts, then calls back the moment he’s free. Ask Clifford what Ryan’s response usually is, and he’ll tell you: “Whatever you need.” Clifford calls him a true “Johnny on the spot” — someone who doesn’t just fix problems as they come up, but hands out advice before you even know you need it. He also gave a shout-out to James on the team for being especially helpful, with a nod to Tony as well.

Clifford’s Advice for Veterans Considering Spray Foam

• Do your homework. Get properly trained in person — not just online.
• Learn the craft, not just the machine. Understand the foam and the components, not just how to pull the trigger.
• Know where you’re headed. This isn’t a part-time gig. Spray foam is a full-time business opportunity.
• Know your customer base before you get started.