For many service members, the transition back to civilian life is the toughest mission they’ll ever face. The structure, camaraderie, and clear sense of purpose that define military life can feel worlds away from the uncertainty of the civilian job market. It’s a challenge that Army and Coast Guard veterans Mike Zelek and Nico Smith understand deeply. “It’s super scary,” admits Mike. “You wonder, ‘What am I supposed to do now?'”
But for Mike, his brother Nico, and their mother, Caterina, that uncertainty became an opportunity.
Together, they built Time Logistical, a thriving shipping business that not only provides for their families but also serves as a powerful example of how military skills can pave the way for entrepreneurial success. By leveraging the uShip platform (which drives 95%+ of their business), they transformed their family’s work ethic into a new, purposeful mission, proving that the road home can lead to incredible destinations.
The Journey to a New Home and a New Business
The story of Time Logistical doesn’t start in a truck, but across an ocean.
Originally from Belgium, the family moved to the U.S. (Ohio) when the boys were teenagers, eventually settling in Florida after a spring break trip. “We found out that, you know, Florida is a nice place to live, so we moved [there],” Nico says simply.
While Nico attended the University of Tampa and joined the reserves, his mother decided to venture into logistics. She started the business from the ground up, and Nico would help out whenever he could. They discovered uShip’s marketplace after seeing “Shipping Wars”, but success wasn’t immediate. Like many new carriers, they faced a steep learning curve.
“At first, you’re learning the ropes, figuring out how to make this profitable and how to bid properly,” Nico explains. He recalls seeing new shippers make common mistakes, like bidding high on a single small item for a long-distance trip. The family learned, through trial and error, that the key wasn’t just moving one item, but mastering the art of the route by combining multiple shipments efficiently to make each journey worthwhile. It was a process of ups and downs, but through it, they realized they could build something real.
A New Mission: Finding Purpose and a Paycheck After Service
While the business grew, Mike was (at the time of this writing) serving on active duty. As he neared medical retirement from the Coast Guard, he faced the same anxieties that plague countless veterans.
“It’s scary for people getting out from active duty,” Mike says, his voice earnest. “Oh crap, what if I become homeless?’ That’s like the biggest thing. It’s why the suicide rate is so high in the military because they feel hopeless and they’re scared of getting out.”
For him, the family business became a beacon. He saw how the skills he honed in the service were not just relevant but essential to succeeding as a uShip carrier. “The military matures you fast, responsibility-wise,” he says. “It gives you a sense of, ‘All right, I am responsible for this, I will take this to my grave. We do ‘do or die’. We go all in on this one job.”
That military mindset (discipline, unwavering commitment to a mission, and clear communication) is the engine that powers Time Logistical. They saw a direct path where veterans could apply their unique skills to be their own boss and find a renewed sense of purpose. For Mike, it was the answer to that daunting question of “what’s next?” and a way to provide for his wife and two young children.
A Day in the Life of Time Logistical + Military Makeover
A typical day for Time Logistical is a masterclass in strategy and hustle. It starts with Nico and his mom on the uShip website, constantly refreshing the page to find new shipments. “They get posted and they’re gone in two seconds if you’re not fast enough,” Nico laughs.
Once they’ve booked enough jobs for a route, the real art begins: planning. Using apps like Road Warrior and Circuit, they meticulously organize their stops to be as efficient as possible. It’s a skill his mom has perfected.
“My mom flexes really hard,” Mike says with a laugh. “She will call me and be like, ‘Yo, look at my route, dude!’ And I’m like, ‘What?’ She’s like, ‘Yo, 30 G’s right here, baby!'”
This family dynamic is central to their success. While Nico and his mother handle the day-to-day logistics, Mike joins in on his days off from the base, helping with bigger jobs and longer routes. They operate as a tight-knit unit, tackling challenges together, from coordinating tricky delivery windows with customers to dealing with the occasional roadside breakdown.
Their hard work was recently recognized when they were featured on the show Military Makeover with Montel®. The experience gave them a glimpse into the world of television. “We had to reshoot the same thing over and over again,” Nico says. “I’m probably laughing on the show that’s going to come out, that we’re going to be drenched in sweat for a small painting. I’m like, well, that’s because I wrapped the damn thing 300 times!”
A Bright Future
With Mike set to join the business full-time after his military retirement, Time Logistical’s future looks brighter than ever. Its simple plan is to expand. They hope to hire more employees and add more trucks, allowing them to take on the jobs they currently have to turn down.
Time Logistical exemplifies family, resilience, and military work ethic. Their story offers hope to veterans seeking their next mission: purpose can be found, one shipment at a time.
Catch the boys in Season 43, Episode 2 of Military Makeover with Montel airing August 29, 2025, on Lifetime and the American Forces Network.
