6 Female Veteran Entrepreneurs to Salute This Veterans Day 2021

Today we highlight women who served in our armed forces, and now embrace entrepreneurship. Read about their successes, struggles, and tips. First up, Melanie Allen, 38, served in the National Guard from 2005-2011 and completed one tour in Iraq. Today she runs ?Partners in Fire, a financial independence platform.

Q: How did your military service help you as an entrepreneur?

Being in the military helped me start my own business. Not only did I learn service, commitment, and dedication, all skills which have helped me grow my company, but I also learned that I did not want to work for anyone else.

The military was my first taste of being told exactly what to do, how to do it, and while I learned a lot from serving– I realized that I would rather be my own boss and schedule my own time as I see fit.

Q: What successes and challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?

Starting my business was simple, but the hard part was growing it. I had the drive and dedication to succeed, but not the knowledge. The first few years were a struggle. It took trial and error, mistakes, and not knowing what I was doing, but thanks to the values instilled during my military service, I persisted. I realized that in order to be successful, I needed to invest in both my business and myself.

I learned SEO, digital marketing, website development, and a plethora of other skills necessary for succeeding. I invested in SEO tools, a mastermind group, better web hosting, and an email service provider.

We created an LLC to become an officially registered business, and after four years of struggling, had our first profitable month in October 2021!

Q: Do you have any entrepreneurial tips?

Be patient, keep trying, and invest in your company. Rome wasn't built in a day. It takes time and money to build a business and make it successful. Be prepared for a few years of hard work, double shifts, and no money while your business is growing. It will be worthwhile in the long run.

Annette Harris

Age: 39 Military service: US Army, 2001 to 2008 Business:? Founder of Harris Financial Coaching?

Q: How did your military service help you as an entrepreneur?

By enhancing my leadership, perseverance, and self-awareness. I am committed to teaching my clients and the community about the importance of financial literacy.

Having a history of being in stressful financial situations, I can calmly lead clients through their financial struggles. Being a sense of calm is something individuals need to accomplish their goals.

Q: What successes and challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

Starting my business as a veteran was seamless. Using mentors and incubator programs like Rosie Network's Service2CEO program enhanced the entrepreneurial literacy that helped me scale my business. I was also able to connect with other veterans and military spouses and learn from them.

Entrepreneurial Tips:?

When individuals decide to become entrepreneurs, it's essential to create a business plan and target market for their product or service. Developing a business plan will help ensure that you have a purpose, and a future to help you build your dream. Also, identifying your target market will help you tailor your marketing efforts to the customers you want to reach. There are many free business incubator programs that entrepreneurs can participate in before launching their business. Even post-launch, incubator programs can correct the course and ensure you are on the right path to entrepreneurship.

This is Shayla Carey, 28, who served in the Air Force from 2012 - 2018. Since leaving, she founded a skincare line for women. Keep reading for Carey’s pivot from military to Luneria Cosmetics founder.

Q: How did your military service help you as an entrepreneur?

My service in the Air Force helped me become more disciplined. I am also people-oriented, so I focus on what is best for others. Now, my mission is to encourage the beauty industry to be more open-minded, and provide more innovative products for people with sensitive skin. I try to make the best decisions for the benefit of others without compromising what I want to do.

Q: What successes and challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

It was easy for me to start my business because I broke everything down into tasks – I absolutely love writing to-do lists – however, it can be challenging to continue the business when you are accustomed to having support from being in the military. Suddenly having less can be a bit lonely.? Seek your support system.

Q: Do you have any entrepreneurial tips?

Put yourself out there – do it scared and imperfectly. When you are in the military you feel like you have to do everything perfectly: Perfect bed, perfect socks, perfect life, so when it is time to start your business, you also feel like you need to have everything perfect from A-Z.? That can cause you to procrastinate and eventually you will never get started because there is always something wrong. You can always tweak as you go along, but in the end, you will be happy that you started.

This is Julia Hubbel, a 68-year-old female veteran, who served in the US Army from 1973-1978. Since leaving the Army, she started her own business, The Hubbel Group Inc. DBA Walkabout Saga. This is Julia’s story on becoming an entrepreneur post-army life:

Q: How did your military service help you as an entrepreneur?

I'm a disabled Army veteran. I created multiple businesses after I left the service, and also worked in Fortune 100 companies. I've worked in supply chain helping small, minority and veteran-owned businesses get into the huge corporate supply chains.

?In 1998, I formed a women's group, the Hubbel Group, focused on supporting women in Spokane, Washington. Among them: two veterans Graciela Tiscareno-Sato, and Justine Cromer,? and I helped other veterans make the transition to civilian life.”

Q: What successes and challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

Both of these women were active members of the Hubbel Group and both have gone on to serve other veterans after excellent corporate careers. I have also spoken to female vets, including calling out the rape culture which unfortunately touched me as well.

[SheVentures called and emailed the Department of Defense (DOD) for comment, but received no response at press time. That said, the DOD’s most recent data show 7,816 reports of sexual misconduct allegations from service members for incidents that occurred during military service.]?

These days I am an international adventure athlete, travel blogger, and inspirational writer/speaker. I learned discipline, focus, leadership, and courage in the military. My very first sport as an E2 was skydiving, which was about as motivational as it gets.?

I have learned to take care of body-mind-spirit, and also the fundamental importance of giving back. While the military was rough on me as a woman due to sexual assault – I learned how to face my demons and turn those issues into steel in my backbone.

In part due to the military, I have been able to climb Kilimanjaro at sixty, kayak the Arctic ocean, and adventure travel worldwide. I’ve committed to Kilimanjaro again at 70, in 2023. The military taught me journalism. I've been writing ever since.

Do you have any entrepreneurial tips: My advice to other veteran entrepreneurs: First, get in touch with people like Graciela who specialize in helping vets succeed. Second: Get certified as a veteran-owned business. It works. Third: Learn how to network. Fourth: Find a business [idea] that makes a difference, solves a problem, and serves a purpose. Finally: Don't give up. Failure is part of the process.

This is Charity Michelle Schaefer, 35, a female veteran who served in the USArmy from 2008-2012. Since leaving, she pivoted and founded her own business, Grit To Glory, a personal and leadership development company. This is Charity’s story on becoming an entrepreneur post-Army life:

Q: How did your military service help you as an entrepreneur?

My service in the United States Army was a gift. When I joined the service, I lived in a homeless shelter and had an uncertain life outlook. My service was a stepping stone and catalyst to developing people through a trauma-infused leadership lens in today's business world.

Two specific concepts from my service that have made me a better entrepreneur are the cultural diversity I was able to experience, and the Army values: LDRSHIP- Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.

I grew up in a small town in the south, and I was unfamiliar with cultural diversity. In the Army, we all wore the same uniform, and were united in our mission. My time in the service introduced me to people of different colors, cultures, traditions, spiritual beliefs, and sexual orientations. This experience helped me to develop a broader outlook and appreciation of what makes us unique. We are better together.

The Army values I share with you may be only words, but they are much more. They are woven together, like threads sown in a cloth. These words are foundational for how I lead myself within a family, my community, and my business as a civilian.

Q: What successes and challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

Starting any business is challenging. My service in the military further equipped me with resilience and perseverance. The qualities are my friends as I scale a business. There are times when things don't pan out how I anticipated. I must adapt and pivot.

Do you have any entrepreneurial tips?

Resiliency builds your character; adopt it as your friend. Scaling a business is challenging. Find a mentor or coach to help. Personal development and training should be non-negotiable.

This is Tami Rose, a 48-year-old female veteran, who served in the US Army from 1987-1992. Since leaving the Army, she now runs her own business, Romantic Adventures, an adult boutique. This is her story about pivoting from serving in the Army to running her own business:

Q: How did your military service help you as an entrepreneur?

Being a veteran is the key to my success. It gives me the discipline to get up every day and do the work in front of me even when it is not exciting or sexy.

Additionally, my military experience informs my management style. When I am tempted to become emotional, and make rash decisions about personnel I remember the maxim, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”

I document everything related to employees and often communicate via written memos and emails. It takes the pressure off when rules and boundaries are established in writing; the rules are the same for everyone, and things are evenly enforced. Being a good leader and a fair boss is important to me and I have many examples of both to look back on in the military.

I bought out an existing partner in a business so my being a veteran didn't directly influence a start-up, but it is well known in the community that I both served and lost my husband in the service. I ran a heartfelt Memorial day radio spot about him. I would say it has garnered even more loyalty among my fan base and some grudging respect even from those who don't love what I do.

Do you have any entrepreneurial tips?

Learn to sweat the details. It is the difference between success and failure. We entrepreneurial types are often big picture creatives, but rolling up your sleeves and diving into accounting, the tax code, or the language of business is as important as the goods or services you are offering.

Also, remember to take good care of yourself. The business will rely heavily on you and your energy, so eat right, get plenty of sleep, and work out a bit. Remember to spend time with friends and family because they are the reason you are doing all this.

It can be easy to get tunnel vision when you are in the ‘battle space’ of building a business; remember you aren't at war, you are living your life and you need to enjoy it.

Aren't these women amazing? A big shout out to them and all service members today. If you are interested in more stories like this – follow SheVentures Podcast on all social media–or listen to the podcast on Apple or whatever platform you listen to your podcasts. We hope to continue to bring you amazing stories, so show us some social love, if you are inspired!