Veterans and Small Business Archives

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#VetBiz Certifications Lead to Increased Opportunities

June 2, 2025

When Army veteran Dennis Guy returned to the Mt. Oliver neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he felt a renewed call to serve—this time through storytelling. When his local fire department faced permanent closure due to a lack of volunteers, Dennis stepped in. Leveraging his background in video production and marketing, he created a compelling recruitment campaign that brought in new volunteers and kept the department’s doors open.

That successful campaign didn’t just help his community—it sparked a business idea. Dennis and his wife, Samantha, launched First Sip Studios, a multimedia marketing agency dedicated to helping startups, nonprofits, and local communities share their stories with impact.

Veteran Entrepreneur Finds Success with SBDC Support

February 17, 2025

Nina Pinidi, the owner of Solime Royal Hair, juggles her business, school and breast cancer treatments.

More than half of small businesses are born from someone’s desire to find freedom. Nina Pinidi’s business was born out of necessity.

Her comrades needed products they couldn’t find on base or on deployment, but her morale needed it too after serving 17 years.

She rose in rank to chief petty officer with deployments to Japan, Guantánamo Bay, Algeria, Zimbabwe, Chile and Djibouti before getting sick and having to medically retire.

“I was really in a dark time when I was out because it’s like all of a sudden you’re not needed anymore,” she said. “You don’t have to wear a uniform. No one calls you for advice. No one needs your mentorship, and that literally stops overnight.”

James Earl Carter Jr.: From Naval Officer to Small Business Champion

January 16, 2025

When James Earl Carter Jr. signed the legislation establishing the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program in 1980, he drew upon his own experiences as both a military officer and small business owner to understand the vital importance of supporting American entrepreneurs.

Military Service and Business Background

Born in Plains, Georgia, in 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1946. His subsequent seven-year naval career included service aboard submarines and significant contributions to the nuclear submarine program under Admiral Hyman Rickover. This engineering background and attention to detail would later serve him well in both business and public service.

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.

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