Building Business, Family, and Community: The Journey of Jonathan & Audrey Garard

What happens when marriage, military service, and entrepreneurship collide? In this episode of Own the Journey, Tom sits down with Jonathan and Audrey Garard, co-owners of Grooms Office Environments in Springfield.

From Jonathan’s 15 years of military service to Audrey’s leap from advertising into business ownership, the Garards share how resilience, risk-taking, and relentless teamwork have shaped their lives. Together, they open up about:

• Navigating long deployments and raising young kids while building a business.

• The decision to buy Grooms and the grit it took to lead as one of the youngest Herman Miller dealership owners in the U.S.

• The challenges and humor of being spouses and business partners.

• Why creating intentional, people-focused workspaces is essential for culture, talent retention, and community impact.

• Their best advice for leaders: keep moving forward, bet on yourself, and surround yourself with trusted advisors.

It’s an honest, inspiring look at how faith, determination, and a deep commitment to people can turn challenges into opportunities.