Shaine Miles is this week’s Q&A participant. A 1992 graduate of Salem High School, Miles went on to continue his education at Virginia Tech. After leaving Blacksburg, Miles and his wife went on to live in Georgia, Ohio, Maryland and Kentucky before returning home in 2012 to open the Chick-fil-A on West Main Street.
How long have you lived in the Salem area?
From birth to age 18. I then went to college at Virginia Tech. From there, my wife and I lived in Georgia, Ohio, Maryland, Ohio (again) and Kentucky. We returned to the area in 2012 to open the Salem Chick-fil-A restaurant.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date?
Being a Christian, husband, father and business owner.
How did you become a Chick-fil-A owner?
Long story short, we decided to get out of the business of college football. We valued Chick-fil-A’s purpose and mission. I am an entrepreneur and this opportunity allowed me to do what I enjoy most. There are a lot of similarities between coaching and operating a restaurant such as recruiting, developing a team and leaders, growing a business, competing and giving back to my community.
What would you be doing if you didn’t have your current profession?
Coaching football, playing golf and poker. I also enjoy investing and the stock market – so maybe a financial advisor.
Talk about your education background. Where did you go to school?
I graduated from Salem High School in 1992. I got my undergraduate degree (B.S. in History, 1996) and graduate degree (M.S., Education Curriculum and Instruction, 1997) from Virginia Tech.
What does an average week look like for you?
It changes with our sales volume. For example, when school resumes our mornings and evenings become busier at the restaurant. I like go to the YMCA early and be at the restaurant during different parts of the day. I also help coach my son’s rec football team, so evenings are busy with practices and games.
Who are some people you draw inspiration from?
Jesus, Vanessa (my wife) and other Chick-fil-A owners. We have great camaraderie. I am very inspired by the team members that I have the opportunity to work with everyday; they are some of the hardest working and most dependable people I know. I am very fortunate and grateful for our team members at the restaurant.
What books on history have you read that you would recommend to others?
The Bible is the best history book ever written. A good read about this area is “Follow the River” by James Thom. It’s about Mary Ingles and her return from captivity along the New River to her home in Southwest Virginia.
What are some things that you like to do in Salem?
When not at the restaurant, we like to be home and enjoy our neighborhood. We attend Fellowship Community Church. We enjoy walking on the greenway, playing golf at HVCC, Hanging Rock or Salem Municipal. We also like to go to Brooks Byrd for their fruit drinks. Our son, Brock, plays four different sports so a lot of our free time is spent coaching and watching him play. We also enjoy going to local sporting events such as Salem High School and Salem Red Sox games.
If you could back and give an 18-year-old Shaine some advice, what would you say?
I never imagined that I would own and operate a restaurant so I would remind myself to be open-minded and seize new opportunities. Most importantly, remember that God has a plan for all of us. We must be willing to listen and step out in faith.
-Compiled by Shawn Nowlin
