Introduction & Background
When Mike Thompson lost his job as a hotel janitor in 2019, he found himself at a crossroads. With a family to support and bills piling up, he decided to take a leap of faith—starting his own home cleaning business,
When Mike Thompson lost his job as a hotel janitor in 2019, he found himself at a crossroads. With a family to support and bills piling up, he decided to take a leap of faith—starting his own home cleaning business,
Growing up in a working-class neighborhood in Houston, Maria Lopez learned the value of perseverance from her parents, who worked tirelessly to provide for their family. Her mother cleaned houses, while her father worked in construction. Watching them struggle to make ends meet, Maria developed a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Frank Miller never planned to start a business in his 60s. After retiring from a long career in manufacturing, he thought he’d finally get to relax, spend time with his wife, and maybe do a little fishing. But after a few months of slow mornings and too much TV, he started feeling restless.
At DiscreteHeroes, we believe that the true backbone of the American economy isn’t always found in the spotlight. While much of the focus tends to be on the ultra-successful, we know that it’s the small businesses—the unsung heroes—making up the most significant part of our economic landscape.
Our magazine delves into the inspiring, real-life stories of these individuals who quietly carry the weight of our economy.