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Miller was presented the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, which is presented to an entrepreneur with a disability who has displayed outstanding leadership, technical skills in their field, and the initiative necessary to successfully own and operate a for profit business.
Miller previously owned a construction company, but due to a disability that developed he was forced to close his business. ÊAll the employees that worked for him at that time also lost their jobs and Miller lost everything. Ê
But Miller did not give up. Through the support of his spouse, they worked together to rebuild a productive life. ÊMiller began working with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) with the hopes of being able to reach financial self-sufficiency.
Miller Construction in West Chester, Iowa was formed and continues to be a successful business doing carpentry, painting and restoration services. ÊPreviously Miller employed about five people, but now he wants to work mostly by himself. His son, Titeus, sometime helps in the summer time. "I don't want to get big again," he said.
The company's slogan is "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff!"
Miller credits his wife, Tammy, and family for being very supportive during several years of illness. Tammy now operates Peachy Dog Grooming out of their West Chester home. Daughter Tangier, 15, is in the Mid-Prairie High School Color Guard. Titeus, 13, also attends Mid-Prairie, and helps his father some, especially in the summer.
Miller enjoys being a peer mentor to other people with disabilities and encourages them to also be persistent and to believe in themselves. He urges those with disabilities to "never give up" and to seek out a support group that can work with them.
Along with running his own business, Miller is a Peer Support Specialist Trainer through the Iowa Peer Support Academy and teaches classes on self-advocacy, peer support and successfully living with a disability.
Miller was nominated for this award by Roger Halvorson, a Rehabilitation Associate with the Iowa City Area Office of IVRS, and Kochell Weber-Ricklefs, a Business Development Specialist with the Iowa Self-Employment Program - a collaborative program option offered by IVRS and Iowa Department for the Blind. Ê
In their nomination letter Halvorson and Weber-Ricklefs state, "Terry Miller displays exemplary character, self-awareness, and gratitude for the things that he has accomplished." ÊThey also noted their belief that due to his persistence, Miller will not allow his disability to keep him from achieving his goals.
The event was held at 2 p.m. on October 9 at the State Capitol Rotunda with Miller's family present.Ê
Miller's mother is Anna (Miller) Peiffer and now lives in Washington.
