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.
Businesses have been struggling as a result of the pandemic and the negative shift of the economy. Most small businesses have had to reframe their operations in these difficult times. And small businesses owned by veterans are no exception.
This week is National Veterans Small Business Week. Don’t you think it’s time to pay back the heroism of our beloved veterans? So what can you do to support these veteran-owned businesses? If this question is near to your heart, here are five ways you can help those who have done so much for us.
1. Purchase Products from Veteran-Owned Establishments
This is simple. Patronizing their businesses is a clear-cut way to extend your support to veteran-owned businesses. Your purchases help boost revenues. You don’t have to spend a lot. Just buy the things you need. What matters is supporting veteran-owned businesses through your purchases. (more…)