Flying Leap Vineyards is a remarkable success story of a veteran-owned small business taking flight in the Arizona wine industry. Founded in 2010 by three lifelong friends from the U.S. Air Force Academy – Mark Beres, Marc Moeller, and Tom Kitchens – the company has grown from a small-scale wine grape farming operation to a thriving winery and distillery, thanks in large part to the support of the local Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
Skipper T. Ryan Davis is a shining example of how the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) can help veteran entrepreneurs transition from military service to thriving small business ownership. With over 20 years of experience as a Naval officer and 4,000 hours of flight time, Davis has proven himself to be a passionate leader, skilled communicator, and dedicated problem-solver – qualities that have served him well in his entrepreneurial pursuits.
Wepa Commercial Cleaning, a veteran-owned and -operated janitorial and disinfecting company, is celebrating a major milestone. The San Diego-based business has secured a $1 million one-year contract with the Port of San Diego.
Wepa was founded by Francisco Rivera, a U.S. military veteran, who has built the company into a top-rated business with coverage in major publications. Wepa provides a full range of commercial cleaning and disinfecting services, employing skilled workers and utilizing advanced procedures to ensure healthy environments for organizations’ employees, customers, and guests.
Lima Charlie Inc. has carved out a unique niche in the highly competitive government contracting space. Founded during the pandemic, this service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) has developed a completely remote, cloud-based model to provide expert government relations services to federal agencies and local municipalities.
Led by CEO David Waldbauer, a service-disabled veteran, Lima Charlie is known for its quality of management, which is well-organized, agile, detail-oriented, and focused on simplicity. These core strengths allow the firm to consistently deliver positive client experiences, reduce risk, and optimize costs.
For nearly 35 years, Robert Paul Galleries has been at the heart of Stowe’s thriving community of artists and art lovers alike. So when the original owners retired in May of 2023, young entrepreneurs and longtime residents Jack H. Morris and Alexandra B. Weathers embraced the opportunity to purchase the business, building upon a legacy of connecting artists from around the world to Vermont’s largest town.
At only 22 and 23 years old, Jack and Alex set out to operate this creative establishment with three specific goals in mind: to bring people together through art; to have a strong presence in Vermont’s developing art scene; and to create an experiential gallery featuring both emerging and seasoned artists.