National Invest In Veterans Week®: Honoring Service, Empowering Entrepreneurship, and Building a Stronger Economy
Veterans are twice as likely to start businesses as non-veterans, bringing with them unparalleled skills in leadership, discipline, and decision-making. These qualities, honed in the military, form the backbone of successful ventures. However, veteran entrepreneurs face unique challenges, including limited access to resources, funding, and networking opportunities. National Invest In Veterans Week® addresses these barriers while celebrating veteran-owned businesses' vital contributions.
From the Desk of Angel Shuford: The Legacy and Future of Vetrepreneurship
The Jacksonville Vetrepreneur Summit is more than just a conference; it is a movement designed to empower veterans to become successful entrepreneurs. Founded in collaboration with the City of Jacksonville and guided by the early leadership of Jeff Shuford, the summit has grown into a cornerstone event for veteran advocacy.
As Vice President and CFO of National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), I am honored to reflect on the summit’s impact and share our vision for the future of vetrepreneurship. This year’s summit is a testament to the ongoing evolution of veteran entrepreneurship, where the lessons of the past fuel the ambitions of tomorrow.
Kevin D. Shoun: Transformational Leadership in the Spirit of Jimmy Carter
Kevin D. Shoun embodies the legacy of service, leadership, and empathy championed by President Jimmy Carter. Like Carter, who transitioned from military service to a lifetime of civic and humanitarian work, Kevin’s journey is defined by his dedication to empowering others. As the Senior Advisor for Civic Leadership and Policy Development for National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), Kevin continues to elevate the voices of veterans and champion initiatives that transform lives and communities.
Forging Fe-Male Leadership: A Deep Dive Into FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠
As a veteran, I see myself in Fe (iron)—strong, resilient, and unwavering under pressure. But true leadership requires adaptability and the capacity to bear great responsibility, symbolized by **Pb (lead)**. This duality inspired the creation of FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠, initiatives empowering female veterans to transition from strength to transformative leadership.
FeMil℠ provides the foundation: mentorship, resources, and funding education for aspiring entrepreneurs. FeMil Lead℠ refines that strength, offering advanced training and tools to scale businesses and inspire growth. Together, they form a roadmap for female veterans to build legacies—not just businesses—leading with resilience, adaptability, and purpose.
Empowering Veterans: How to Invest in Their Success
National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), celebrated annually from March 1–7, is a growing movement dedicated to supporting veteran entrepreneurs. Since its inception, NIVW has expanded its reach to 62 global markets and introduced innovative initiatives to empower veterans worldwide.
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Reiss-Davis Graduate School
“Reiss-Davis Graduate School recognizes National Invest in Veterans Week (March 1-7, 2023). We asked noted veterans advocate and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Veterans Studies, Mariana Grohowski, PhD, to share her thoughts on advancing the cause of veterans and their families.”
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Military Family Research Institute
“The first week of March is National Invest in #Veterans Week, designed to support the efforts of veterans building lives for themselves and their families through their work and businesses.”
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EnergyUnited
“Today marks the final day of Invest In Veterans Week, and we want to take a moment to recognize the important work being done by Purple Heart Homes. Founded in 2008, Purple Heart Homes is a non-profit organization that works to provide housing solutions to veterans and their families who are in need.”
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Cintas Corporation
“It's National Invest in Veterans Week! At Cintas we are proud to be a Top Veteran-Friendly Company and are committed to recruiting military talent. For all the sacrifices they have made, we are dedicated to providing opportunities for Veterans to succeed.”
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Gary/Chicago International Airport
“Happy #NationalInvestInVeteransWeek! Back in November, GYY received the prestigious HIRE Vets Medallion Award, an honor bestowed by the @USDOL for our efforts to create jobs that recruit, employ and retain veterans’ who have served our country!”
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Armed Forces Vacation Club
"#DidYouKnow it's National Invest In Veterans Week? National Invest In Veterans Week is observed every year from March 1 through March 7. This is a week where we support and honor aspiring and established veteran business owners!”
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Columbia Gas of Ohio
“We're proud to support our veterans, and especially those on our team! #InvestinVeteransWeek is a good reminder to invest in veterans after all they've invested in our country.”
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National Academy of Sciences
“#DYK It’s #NationalInvestinVeteransWeek! In this touching #TheScienceBehindIt video, meet Ray, Casey, and Raymond as they share their coming home stories and talk about the challenges facing millions of veterans.”
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Waubonsee Community College
“#Waubonsee is proud to serve those students who have served our country, and we'll do everything we can to streamline the process, start you on the right foot, and support your endeavors every step of the way. #NationalInvestInVeteransWeek”
