Grow Story Live! Featuring Veterans Metal
Join us for an inspiring evening of storytelling and business insights as we host Grow Story Live! at the headquarters of Veterans Metal, a 2025 GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Honoree, on March 4, 2026 at 4:30pm.
Experience the remarkable journey of a veteran and minority-owned business that is redefining the standards of the metal finishing industry. We are proud to feature Andrew Kossowski, Owner of Veterans Metal, as he shares the “inside story” of how a small, 5,000-square-foot manual shop transformed into a 20,000-square-foot, semi-automated powerhouse.
About the Featured Company: Veterans Metal
Veterans Metal is a NADCAP-accredited leader in precision metal finishing, specializing in anodizing, hardcoat, chem film, and SS passivation. With a mission rooted in service, the company provides mission-critical support for the aerospace and defense sectors while creating meaningful career paths for veterans and skilled tradespeople.
Driven by a “Growth Through Quality” mindset, Veterans Metal has achieved a rare 100% rating for both quality and on-time delivery. Their journey is one of bold innovation—from eliminating paper workflows to developing proprietary finishes that save customers time and money.
What You’ll Learn:
- The Digital Leap: How Veterans Metal embraced “Industry 4.0” to become a modern, paperless facility.
- Scaling with Purpose: The strategy behind their rapid 2X growth.
- Culture & Community: How Andrew and his team integrate community impact into their business model, supporting local manufacturing through BAMA and uplifting homeless veterans through the HEP program.
- Customer-Centric Innovation: How listening to “customer pain points” led to the launch of in-house masking, powder coating, and wet paint services.
Event Highlights
- Behind-the-Scenes Tour: See the modern, semi-automated facility in action.
- Live Q&A: Get direct insights from Andrew Kossowski on navigating the challenges of scaling a specialized manufacturing business.
- Networking: Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, manufacturing leaders, and community advocates.
Come hear how Veterans Metal is proving that with the right technology and a culture that puts people first, the most pivotal moments are always yet to come.
This exclusive event offers second-stage CEOs and business owners a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights, network with peers, and celebrate the achievements of one of Florida’s standout companies. Want to learn more about GrowFL?  Click here.
About GrowFL and the Tampa Bay Chapter: The GrowFL Tampa Bay Chapter is dedicated to igniting the growth of second-stage companies right here in our community. We do this by directly connecting local CEOs with the critical resources they need to overcome unique challenges and accelerate their business trajectory. At the core of our mission is the GrowFL Trusted Advisor Network, a powerful assembly of leading companies and individuals committed to empowering Tampa Bay’s thriving businesses. These expert advisors, recognized leaders in their respective fields, provide invaluable guidance and specialized knowledge, contributing to a stronger, more vibrant Tampa Bay business landscape for all.
