A Call to Action for Legislators

Female Veteran Entrepreneurs: A Call to Action for Legislators

Female veteran entrepreneurs embody resilience, leadership, and adaptability—qualities honed through military service. Despite these strengths, they face systemic challenges that impede their entrepreneurial success. Initiatives like FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠, championed by Angel Shuford, Vice President and CFO of National Invest in Veterans Week® (NIVW), aim to bridge these gaps. However, legislative support is crucial to dismantle these barriers effectively.

This article delves into the unique strengths of female veteran entrepreneurs, the challenges they face, the impact of FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠, and the necessity for legislative action to empower this vital segment of the entrepreneurial community.

The Unique Strengths of Female Veteran Entrepreneurs

Female veterans possess a distinct combination of qualities that make them natural entrepreneurs:

• Resilience: Military service instills an unparalleled ability to overcome adversity and adapt to challenges. This resilience is invaluable in the entrepreneurial landscape, where uncertainty is a constant.

• Leadership: Female veterans are trained leaders, capable of managing teams, making strategic decisions, and inspiring others. These leadership skills are essential for building robust business operations and fostering innovation.

• Purpose-Driven Values: Military service instills a sense of duty and community. Female veteran entrepreneurs often prioritize ethical business practices and social impact, striving to make a positive difference through their ventures.

Challenges Faced by Female Veteran Entrepreneurs

Despite their strengths, female veteran entrepreneurs encounter significant obstacles:

• Access to Capital: Securing funding is a major hurdle. According to the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, 48% of female veteran entrepreneurs were turned down by a lender or creditor when applying for financing. This statistic underscores the systemic biases in financial systems that disadvantage female veterans.

• Lack of Mentorship and Networking Opportunities: Many female veterans struggle to find mentors who understand their unique experiences. The Foundation for Women Warriors notes that their Women Veterans Lead program addresses this gap by providing professional development and community leadership opportunities.

• Scaling and Sustainability Challenges: Starting a business is only the first step; scaling and sustaining it requires significant resources, guidance, and support. Many female veteran entrepreneurs lack access to the tools necessary for long-term success.

FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠: Empowering Female Veteran Entrepreneurs

To address these challenges, Angel Shuford has spearheaded initiatives like FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠:

• FeMil℠: This program supports female veterans at the start of their entrepreneurial journeys by providing networking opportunities, resource access, and funding education. It equips participants with the tools to secure startup capital and navigate the complexities of business formation.

• FeMil Lead℠: Building on the foundation of FeMil℠, this program focuses on scaling businesses and developing leadership skills. It offers advanced leadership training, growth-focused tools, and personalized mentorship programs tailored to individual goals.

Legislative Advocacy: The Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act

While initiatives like FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠ have made significant strides, systemic challenges persist. Legislative action is necessary to create an equitable environment for female veteran entrepreneurs. The proposed Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act includes key provisions:

• Financial Incentives: Offering startup tax credits and low-interest loans to veteran-owned businesses in high-growth sectors.

• Mentorship Networks: Providing federal funding for structured mentorship programs that connect veterans with experienced business leaders.

• Public-Private Partnerships: Allocating grants to foster collaboration between veteran-owned businesses and corporations.

• Streamlined Federal Contracting: Simplifying federal contracting processes and reserving a percentage of contracts for veteran-owned businesses.

A Unified Path Forward

The journey from resilience to leadership is symbolic of the transformation female veterans undergo as they transition from military service to entrepreneurship. Through initiatives like FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠, supported by legislative action, we can create an environment where female veteran entrepreneurs thrive. Legislators, businesses, and communities must unite to honor their service and ensure their success in shaping the future of the economy.

Learn more and join the movement:

• Empowering Female Veteran Entrepreneurs: Lessons from Angel Shuford

• Forging Fe-Male Leadership: A Deep Dive into FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠

• What is the Salute to Veterans?

Together, we can forge a legacy of resilience, leadership, and purpose.

Forging Fe-Male Leadership: A Deep Dive Into FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠

From the desk of Angel Shuford, VP/CFO

As female veterans transition from military service to the world of business, their journey is marked by both opportunity and challenge. While their time in uniform has instilled discipline, resilience, and leadership, the entrepreneurial landscape often presents barriers such as access to capital, mentorship, and structural support. Recognizing this unique intersection of strength and potential, FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠ were created to empower female veterans as they navigate their entrepreneurial journeys.

In this comprehensive exploration, we’ll unpack the mission, vision, and transformative impact of these initiatives, along with the broader significance of fostering female leadership in the veteran entrepreneurial space.

The Dual Symbolism of Fe and Pb: A Foundation for Empowerment

Fe (Iron): Strength and Resilience

Iron, represented as Fe in the periodic table, is a metal known for its unyielding strength and ability to withstand immense pressure. For female veterans, iron symbolizes the foundational qualities they bring to business:

• Resilience: Overcoming adversity and adapting to new challenges.

• Discipline: A core value instilled through military service.

• Strength: The ability to endure and thrive in demanding environments.

FeMil℠ embodies this symbolism by building a community of women who channel their inner "iron" to lay the groundwork for entrepreneurial success.

Pb (Lead): Adaptability and Leadership

Lead, represented as Pb, offers a complementary symbolism. Unlike iron, lead is malleable, capable of being shaped and adapted to meet diverse challenges. It also bears significant weight, reflecting the responsibilities of leadership. FeMil Lead℠ equips female veterans to:

• Evolve their resilience into transformative leadership.

• Adapt to changing business landscapes.

• Carry the weight of decision-making with confidence and clarity.

Together, Fe and Pb tell a story of empowerment. They capture the journey of female veteran entrepreneurs as they move from foundational strength to dynamic leadership.

The Challenges Female Veterans Face in Business

1. Access to Capital

Studies show that over 67% of veteran entrepreneurs cite access to funding as their primary challenge. Female veterans face additional hurdles, including systemic biases and inequities in the financial system, making it harder to secure loans or venture capital.

2. Lack of Mentorship and Networking Opportunities

While veterans often excel in leadership, they frequently lack access to structured mentorship programs and entrepreneurial networks. According to the 2018 Jacksonville Vetrepreneur Summit, only 44% of veterans reported having sustainable mentorship, highlighting a critical gap.

3. Scaling and Sustaining Businesses

Although 70% of surveyed female veterans expressed interest in starting a business, many struggle to scale and sustain their ventures due to limited resources, guidance, and government support.

FeMil℠: Laying the Foundation for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Networking Opportunities

FeMil℠ provides structured platforms to connect female veterans with peers, mentors, and industry leaders. These connections help foster collaboration, build confidence, and inspire innovation.

Resource Access

From understanding business formation to navigating legal and financial complexities, FeMil℠ offers tailored guidance to help female veterans lay the groundwork for their businesses.

Funding Education

FeMil℠ equips participants with the tools to secure startup capital, from understanding loan processes to crafting compelling pitches for investors.

Transformative Success Stories

• Case Study 1: A female Navy veteran used FeMil℠ resources to launch a successful tech startup, overcoming challenges in capital acquisition and scaling her business to international markets.

• Case Study 2: A former Army officer utilized mentorship connections from FeMil℠ to grow her sustainable fashion brand, securing key partnerships in her state.

FeMil Lead℠: Transforming Strength into Leadership

Advanced Leadership Training

Through FeMil Lead℠, participants receive in-depth training on leadership development, strategic decision-making, and team management.

Growth-Focused Tools

FeMil Lead℠ provides access to cutting-edge technologies and business tools, empowering entrepreneurs to scale their operations effectively.

Personalized Mentorship Programs

Participants are matched with seasoned entrepreneurs who provide guidance tailored to their industries and business goals.

Notable Alumni

• A Marine Corps veteran who transformed her small bakery into a nationwide franchise with FeMil Lead℠’s mentorship and strategic tools.

• An Air Force officer who expanded her cybersecurity firm into international markets, leveraging FeMil Lead℠’s global network.

Legislative Advocacy: Creating Systemic Change

The Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act

FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠ are supported by broader legislative initiatives like the Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act, which seeks to eliminate systemic barriers for veteran entrepreneurs.

Key Provisions Include:

1. Startup Tax Credits: A $15,000 tax incentive for veteran-owned startups in high-growth sectors.

2. Low-Interest Loans: Expanded Small Business Administration (SBA) programs with a 2% interest rate reduction.

3. Mentorship Networks: Federal funding to establish structured mentorship programs for veterans.

4. Public-Private Partnerships: Annual grants to foster collaboration between veteran-owned businesses and corporations.

The Global Expansion of FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠

Recognizing the universal value of veteran leadership, FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠ have expanded their reach to 62 global markets, aligning with the growth of National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW).

State-Specific Platforms in the U.S.:

• FloridaVeterans.com: Focusing on veteran businesses in healthcare and tourism.

• TennesseeVeterans.com: Supporting industries like logistics and renewable energy.

International Platforms:

• GermanyVeterans.com: Collaborating on innovations in green technology.

• PhilippinesVeterans.com: Encouraging growth in agriculture and e-commerce.

The Economic and Social Impact

Driving Job Creation

Veteran-owned businesses contribute over $1.2 trillion annually to the U.S. economy. With initiatives like FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠, these contributions are set to grow exponentially, creating millions of new jobs by 2030.

Fostering Innovation

From AI startups to sustainable fashion brands, female veteran entrepreneurs are driving innovation across diverse sectors.

Building Inclusive Communities

By empowering women, these programs are not just transforming individual lives but also building inclusive, thriving communities.

A Path Forward: Empowerment, Leadership, and Legacy

The journey from Fe to Pb—from strength to transformative leadership—is at the heart of FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠. These initiatives remind us that female veterans are not just entrepreneurs; they are changemakers, innovators, and leaders.

Through mentorship, resources, and advocacy, FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠ are forging a future where female veterans don’t just build businesses—they leave legacies.

Discover more and join the movement:

• Empowering Female Veteran Entrepreneurs

• Learn About FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠

Together, we can honor their service and ensure their success in the entrepreneurial world.