veteran-owned business Archives

America’s SBDC Blog

A “Forbes 100 Best Websites for Entrepreneurs”

From PTSD to Prosperity: How Beekeeping Transformed this Disabled Combat Veteran’s Life

November 27, 2024

When Staff Sergeant Eric Grandon, a 20-year U.S. Army veteran, returned home from multiple combat deployments, he was struggling with the debilitating effects of PTSD. Rather than let the stressors of war consume him, Grandon found solace and purpose in an unexpected place – the gentle hum of honeybees.

In 2014, Grandon founded Sugar Bottom Farm in the small town of Ovapa, West Virginia, starting with just two beehives. Along with his wife Mary and daughter Abigail, Grandon dove headfirst into the world of beekeeping, determined to use this newfound passion as a way to manage his PTSD.

Honoring Veterans Day: How Gild Insurance Supports Veteran Entrepreneurs

November 20, 2024

As we celebrate Veterans Day, it’s a fitting time to honor the men and women who have served our nation and recognize the unique perspectives they bring to the business world. Veterans often enter civilian life equipped with resilience, discipline, and a sense of duty—qualities that make them exceptional entrepreneurs. At Gild Insurance, we understand that Veteran-owned businesses play a vital role in our economy, bringing innovation, dedication, and leadership to every industry. This Veterans Day, we’re proud to highlight how we support Veteran entrepreneurs with insurance solutions designed to protect their hard work and support their growth.

Flying Leap Vineyards: A Veteran-Owned Winery Soaring to New Heights with SBDC Support

November 18, 2024

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).

Veteran-Owned Wepa Lands $1M Contract with Port of San Diego

November 11, 2024

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.: An Innovative Veteran-Owned Government Relations Firm

November 6, 2024

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.