When Tony Turin separated from active military duty, setting up his family eye care business was his first goal.

March, 2014: mission accomplished. “I’ve been counting down the days for many years to return to the Mountain community,” Turin said last year.

The Welches native served a four-year commission as an Army captain
following his obtaining a doctorate in optometry from Pacific University.

Now, a year into owning his own business, he has been recognized by the
Small Business Administration as a model success story in the SBA’s ongoing
program called “Boots to Business.”

The recognition turned into something more tangible when a documentary
film crew led by independent video producer Dick Phillips set up shop at
Turin’s eye care center March 24 and 25 in Sandy.

The SBA is producing a series of success stories about veterans who have
successfully started their own businesses, and Turin was the third in the
series, according to Leigh Ann Arnold of the Office of Veterans Business
Development of the SBA, who was on site for the taping.

“Honestly, I could not believe it,” Turin said. “It was very humbling to have a
crew fly out from Washington, D.C. to film our small clinic in Sandy.”

The Boots to Business series will be distributed to more than 165 military
installations around the world for veterans to view, according to Arnold, who
also noted the SBA will use the series for internal curriculum as well.

When asked if he was walking in the footsteps of his film star father, Dave
Turin (of Gold Rush fame), Tony’s response was a quick one.

“No way,” he said. “I have enjoyed watching him become a big name but I
would not do well having so much publicity. I am OK being known in a small
community, but not to the same extent as my dad.”

Friday, after the dust had settled, the film crew had moved on, and Mt. Hood
Eye Care got back to business, Turin had a moment to reflect.

“It is such an honor and I have much to be grateful for,” he said. “I appreciate
that they (SBA) are continuing to honor veterans even after leaving active
duty.”

Tony Turin’s service and accomplishments are easily honored as well.