Aaron "Sgt. Q" Quinonez is no stranger to overcoming life’s hardest challenges and turning them into powerful opportunities for service and impact. As the CEO of QActual and founder of QMissions, this former U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant has built a platform that guides others in cultivating mental resilience, building strong teams, and overcoming trauma. Sgt. Q’s journey—from homelessness and mental health struggles after leaving the special forces to building an award-winning career—is a testament to his dedication to service, empowerment, and personal transformation.
Sgt. Q’s brand, Evolve (under QActual), focuses on guiding business leaders to foster mentally strong and productive teams that drive business growth and resilience. His programs and training sessions, ranging from workshops to leadership coaching, draw on the mental health practices and strategies he developed during his recovery from significant personal hardship. When life challenged him with homelessness and isolation after his military service, he didn’t give up; instead, he educated himself in mental health research, using that knowledge to overcome his struggles and create a mental health plan that would become the backbone of his work today.
The breakthrough moment for Sgt. Q came during a service trip to Mexico, where he helped build a family home. That act of service gave him a renewed purpose and inspired him to launch QMissions, an initiative that now provides veterans with opportunities to heal through community service. Through QMissions' "Healing Thru Service" program, veterans travel to Mexico to participate in similar projects, finding connection and healing through meaningful work. This program has become a lifeline for many veterans, proving that community service can be a powerful tool for personal recovery and transformation.
Sgt. Q’s greatest accomplishment isn’t just building a successful career and employing over 150 people; it's using his own life experiences to help others find hope, strength, and purpose. His programs don’t just offer skills; they provide a support system and a path forward for those facing similar battles. “My ‘why’ is simple: it’s about service and making a difference in the lives of others, especially those who feel lost or broken,” he shares. Through QActual and QMissions, he continues to fulfill that purpose, touching lives around the world.
Today, Sgt. Q’s work has garnered significant recognition. He was named one of the Top 100 Hispanic Founders to Watch in 2022 by Inicio: Hispanics in Philanthropy, received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023, and has been awarded multiple honors by the Department of Veteran Affairs. His leadership training, which has already impacted thousands, has a bold goal: to inspire one million leaders and reach 100 million people with his message of resilience and mental strength by 2038.
The next chapter for Sgt. Q includes expanding his reach through a variety of initiatives, including his two-day Vegas accelerator program for business leaders and his accessible mental health webinars. With a vision as big as his heart, Sgt. Q is determined to make mental health resources available to everyone, ensuring no one has to face their struggles alone.
For those looking to connect or support Sgt. Q's mission, his work can be found on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and through his websites, sgtq.net and qmissions.org. By sharing his own story of resilience and success, Sgt. Q continues to inspire others to find their own strength, proving that with the right support and mindset, anyone can turn life’s challenges into powerful missions for change.
Written By: Lady J
Social Media: Facebook - @LadyJbrand | Instagram - @ladyj.co | LinkedIn - lady-j-brand | Website: www.ladyj.co
Comments