Veterans Driving U.S. Economic Strength: National Invest In Veterans Week® Aligns with Growth, Opportunity, and Female Veteran Entrepreneurs
As 2024 came to a close, the American economy displayed remarkable resilience, adding 256,000 jobs in December and reducing the unemployment rate to 4.1%, according to the Labor Department. This strong performance—achieved despite inflationary pressures and high interest rates—sets the stage for an economically vibrant 2025 under the incoming Trump administration. With a renewed focus on reducing regulations, empowering small businesses, and promoting domestic manufacturing, the Republican agenda aligns closely with the mission of National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW).
Led by Angel Shuford, Vice President and CFO, NIVW continues to drive transformative programs and policy advocacy that uplift veteran entrepreneurs. Through initiatives like FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠, NIVW is especially committed to supporting Black women veteran entrepreneurs, who are at the forefront of innovation and economic growth.
Empowering Female Veteran Entrepreneurs: Lessons from Angel Shuford
Female veterans bring unmatched resilience, discipline, and leadership to the entrepreneurial space. Despite these qualities, systemic barriers such as limited access to funding and mentorship often hinder their progress. Angel Shuford has dedicated her career to addressing these challenges, ensuring that female veterans can lead successful businesses and leave a lasting legacy.
Angel Shuford stated:
"Female veterans are innovators and leaders. By addressing systemic challenges, we empower them to drive growth, strengthen families, and enrich communities."
Lesson 1: Resilience is the Foundation of Entrepreneurship
Angel likens female veterans to Fe (iron)—unyielding under pressure. Resilience, she believes, is the backbone of successful entrepreneurship.
How Resilience Fuels Success
Military service equips female veterans with the ability to face challenges head-on, from navigating competitive markets to overcoming financial setbacks.Actionable Takeaways
Develop daily practices like goal setting and reflection to reinforce resilience.
View challenges as opportunities to grow and learn.
Lesson 2: Adaptability Leads to Transformative Leadership
Adaptability, symbolized by Pb (lead), enables entrepreneurs to transform challenges into opportunities and lead effectively in a rapidly changing business environment.
Why Adaptability Matters
Adaptability fosters innovation, allowing entrepreneurs to embrace change and adjust strategies.
Flexible leaders can guide teams successfully through uncertainty.
Actionable Takeaways
Stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies.
Experiment with new approaches and maintain an open mind.
Lesson 3: Mentorship Drives Accelerated Growth
Mentorship is a cornerstone of Angel’s initiatives, providing female veterans with guidance, confidence, and networking opportunities.
Why Mentorship is Essential
Mentors share insights that help entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls.
They open doors to valuable partnerships and funding.
Mentees gain confidence to pursue ambitious goals.
Actionable Takeaways
Identify mentors aligned with your goals.
Use mentorship to ask targeted questions and implement actionable strategies.
Lesson 4: Collaboration Fuels Innovation
Collaboration among female veteran entrepreneurs helps overcome systemic barriers and fosters mutual success. By pooling resources, knowledge, and networks, women can achieve more together.
Benefits of Collaboration
Shared resources provide access to funding and technology.
Learning from others’ experiences accelerates growth.
Collaboration strengthens communities.
Actionable Takeaways
Join veteran-focused networks and industry groups.
Participate in workshops and initiatives that encourage collaboration.
Black Women Veterans Leading Entrepreneurship
Black women veterans are driving significant economic contributions, building businesses that reflect resilience, strategic thinking, and leadership developed in military service. According to JPMorgan Chase, Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S., with nearly 2.7 million businesses nationwide by 2021.
Between 2014 and 2019, businesses owned by Black women grew by 50%, the highest growth rate among female demographics. These entrepreneurs leverage their military experience to create innovative businesses that fuel job creation and community development.
Angel Shuford underscored the importance of supporting this demographic:
"Black women veterans are not just business owners; they are pioneers shaping the future. Their leadership strengthens the entire economy."
December’s Job Market: A Strong Finish to 2024
The U.S. economy added 2.2 million jobs in 2024, with an average monthly gain of 186,000 jobs. December alone saw notable increases across key sectors:
Health Care: +46,000 jobs
Retail: +43,000 jobs
Leisure and Hospitality: +43,000 jobs
Government: +33,000 jobs
This strong labor market reflects consumer confidence and robust business investment, laying the groundwork for continued growth in 2025.
Policy Support for Veteran Entrepreneurs
The Trump administration’s pro-business policies, including tax cuts and deregulation, align with the mission of National Invest In Veterans Week®, creating a supportive environment for veteran entrepreneurs to succeed.
The Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act
Proposed legislative measures, such as the Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act, are designed to remove systemic barriers and unlock opportunities for veterans. Key provisions include:
Startup Tax Credits: A $15,000 tax credit for veteran-owned businesses in technology, healthcare, and renewable energy.
Low-Interest Loans: Expanded SBA programs with reduced rates for veterans.
Mentorship Networks: Federal funding for mentorship initiatives.
Streamlined Federal Contracting: Simplifying processes and reserving 12% of federal contracts for veteran-owned businesses.
Angel Shuford urged lawmakers to act:
"By enacting policies like the Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act, we create pathways for veteran entrepreneurs to thrive and lead the economy forward."
National Invest In Veterans Week®: A Path to Economic Growth
Through programs like FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠, National Invest In Veterans Week® equips female veterans with the tools they need to overcome challenges and achieve lasting success.
For more information on these initiatives, visit:
Looking Ahead
As the economy continues to grow, the role of veteran entrepreneurs remains critical. Programs like National Invest In Veterans Week® ensure veterans have the resources to succeed and contribute to America’s prosperity.
Angel Shuford concluded:
"Investing in veteran entrepreneurs, especially female veterans, strengthens families, communities, and the nation as a whole."
For additional resources and support, visit National Invest In Veterans Week. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient future driven by veteran leadership and innovation.
