From Army Boots to Business Suits: Jim Boad’s Journey

Jim Boad is more than just an entrepreneur—he’s a soldier turned builder of hope. An Army Veteran with a no-nonsense approach, Jim has made it his mission to transform lives through the power of housing. As the founder of Shelton Housing First, he has personally launched more than 14 recovery homes in just two years, with another eight already in motion. Each home represents more than bricks and mortar—it’s a second chance, a safe place, and a fresh start for people rebuilding their lives. Driven by his belief that impact comes through both strategy and heart, Jim brings together his background in business and his boots-on-the-ground experience to shape housing models that work—both for-profit and nonprofit. His book, Group Home Accelerator, distills those lessons into a practical, step-by-step guide that equips aspiring group home operators with the tools, mindset, and structure needed to succeed. Whether someone is serving individuals in recovery, people reentering society, or those in transition, Jim provides a roadmap to create housing that changes lives. But Jim doesn’t stop at writing the playbook—he’s also in the trenches as a coach and mentor. Through his high-touch coaching program, he’s helped hundreds of purpose-driven entrepreneurs move past fear, navigate red tape, and overcome financial roadblocks to open, fund, and fill their own sober living or transitional homes. His approach is as straightforward as it is inspiring: cut the excuses, focus on the mission, and take action. At the heart of everything Jim does is faith and family. He often reminds people, “This isn’t just real estate—it’s a calling.” When he’s not building businesses or helping others do the same, you’ll find him at home with his wife, their kids, and the family’s loyal pup, O’Malley. To Jim, success isn’t measured by the number of houses he’s launched, but by the lives that are transformed within their walls. Through Shelton Housing First, Group Home Accelerator, and his coaching work, Jim Boad is proving that housing can be more than shelter—it can be a bridge to recovery, redemption, and resilience.