Jessi Bost and Brett Mullis share a loving and supportive relationship that is grounded in family, partnership and service. The couple became friends while serving in the U.S. Navy, working on aircraft in Whidbey Island, Washington. They later fell in love and built a fulfilling civilian life in Englewood, Florida with their daughters, Jules, age 5, and Jett, age 3, and their rescued hound-Labrador, Crim.

Bost and Mullis earned Associate in Arts degrees from State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) in 2025. They are currently taking online classes in the Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management and Leadership program while running their new Veteran Thrift store that opened in Englewood in August.

“We are doing a lot as business owners and operators and full-time college students raising children,” said Mullis. “I want our children to see all the hard work and that it does pay off.”

Seeking fellowship with other veterans, Bost served as president of the Student Veterans of America (SVA) Chapter at SCF Venice during the 2025-2026 school year, where she helped expand membership and events. She and Mullis have supplied grills and provided other support for SVA’s cookouts and fundraisers.

Inspired by his former employer, Island Thrift in Washington, and Bost’s SVA leadership, Mullis is committed to serving veterans and the community through Veteran Thrift. He built the business from scratch, including working with a realtor, renting retail space, bidding on storage auction items, setting up the dressing room, displaying the merchandise and connecting with local thrift stores, veteran organizations and other community partners. He keeps prices low, offers a 25% discount for veterans and sets out community resources.

“It’s my own little hub for veterans and locals in the community who need help,” Mullis said. “It’s a community place where customers can feel welcome, like what I have at State College of Florida. I’ve shed more tears in the last month than I have in the last 10 years because of the stories I’ve heard and the people that have come in.”

At SCF, Bost and Mullis benefit from high-quality education, support services and connections with the faculty, staff and students.

“My experience at State College of Florida has been excellent,” said Mullis. “I took an intro to SCF course, which gave me the layout of the college and what I needed to do to be successful. Susanne Walters (Dean of Students office) made a great impact on my life when I first got here. The library and TASC (Tutoring and Academic Success Center) are amazing.”

Mullis credits the college and professors for building his confidence in business management.

“The professors are the biggest thing – Professor Jesse Blackman (English), Dr. Tylisha Johnson (business), Professor Samuel Aldrich (engineering technology) and Professor Jason Barr (natural science),” Mullis said. “I would not have been able to start this store without the education, people and classes at SCF that have guided me to where I am today. The college showed me that with community, it’s possible, and that’s what I want to bring to Veteran Thrift.”

Bost has enjoyed bonding with the veteran community at SCF.

“My time at SCF has been great,” said Bost. “I found my place in the Student Veterans of America Chapter. There are also veteran professors and staff members, and it’s been great making connections with them. Professor Michael Gallagher came to our Veteran Thrift grand opening. He is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and was in the Pentagon on 9/11.”

Bost credits the college and professors for supporting her interpersonal skill development.

“Dr. Tylisha Johnson is a wonderful human and a life mentor, and she has helped a lot,” Bost said. “Professor Nicolette Mason (speech) has shaped me in growing professionally and talking to people; she’s strict, but she teaches you how to speak publicly, which I am grateful for. I look forward to closing my time here, graduating in the spring and hopefully still being involved with SCF in the future.”  

Born in Orlando, Bost grew up in Aurora, Colorado, and joined the Navy at 18. She served as an aviation structural mechanic, maintaining EA-18G Growler aircraft, parts and equipment before completing specialty school through the Navy and becoming a nondestructive inspector.

“I inspected the jets using different methods, such as X-ray, ultrasonic, dye penetrant and magnetic particle inspection,” said Bost. “It’s a nerdy job of the aircraft mechanic. I loved it.”

Bost worked 12-hour days, seven days a week as a “shooter” during deployment, performing the final check on the flight deck as the jets launched from the aircraft carriers. She experienced a sense of strength, exhilaration and camaraderie during her military service.

“At first, it was difficult to adjust as a woman in a male-dominated field, but I quickly adjusted,” Bost said. “You find your place, you must be strong and you can’t take stuff from anyone. It’s a different world, but overall, camaraderie in the military is difficult to match in the civilian world. We are trying to build that community in Englewood and the surrounding areas, because it is hard finding your place, especially as veterans.”

Born in Virginia, Mullis grew up in a military family, with his dad serving in the U.S. Navy. After his parents separated, the family moved around and landed in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, where he spent a lot of time fishing, swimming, skateboarding and working in restaurants and at Goodwill. After his initial rejection by the military, Mullis attended a technical college and eventually joined the U.S. Navy.

“I had a different path than most people,” said Mullis. “I was 24 when I entered the military, so I had already seen a little bit of the world and knew struggle, and I was happy to be somewhere getting fed and taken care of. The military helped shape me; they break you down and build you back up.”

Mullis served as an aviation structural mechanic, working on EA-18G Growler aircraft hydraulics, structure and skin before completing specialty school through the Navy and becoming a painter.

“I remember walking in the first day, and Jessi was covered in grease working on jets,” Mullis said. “They just transitioned from Prowler to Growler, so it was a new platform, and I got to learn it along with everyone else. All our aircraft were new, and we got to add modex (identification number) and put all the wonderful things on them. I was the only painter on deployment, so that was fun.”

After living together and working active duty, Bost and Mullis separated from the military to focus on starting a family. They had their daughter Jules, sold their house, bought an RV and traveled with Jules and their two dogs on a 100-day road trip across the country.  

“We had been cooped up with the military service and wanted a little freedom,” said Mullis. “We slept by the Grand Canyon and did all kinds of crazy things, and that grew our bond together. It really strengthened us and our partnership.”

After their trip, Bost and Mullis had their daughter Jett and the family lived with Mullis’ mother for a year before buying and renovating their home in Englewood. Mullis’ sister and her children also live in the area.

“I’m so thankful that she (Mullis’ mother) allowed us into her home and never questioned it,” said Bost. “She welcomed us with open arms.”

Outside of school and Veteran Thrift, Bost loves going to hear live music and to the beach, as well as exploring new parks and trails with the family. Mullis also enjoys going to the beach at sunset and doing fun activities with the family, as well as finding treasures for the store. They describe Jett as a firecracker and a sweetie pie and Jules as insanely smart and a natural leader. 

Reflecting on his life, Mullis extends his gratitude for his country, opportunities and fatherhood.

“I’ve been around the world in the Navy and I’ve seen a lot,” Mullis said. “I love America. I am grateful to have opportunities and my family. I want to be remembered as someone who did good and was an example for my kids. My dad wasn’t around a lot when I was growing up, so I want my daughters to remember me.”

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