On October 13th, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution to create a naval committee to oversee the purchase of ships and drafting of regulations for their management. This Continental Navy would evolve into the modern US Navy we all know today. Over 249 years, the US Navy has evolved into one of the most powerful strategic assets in the world, and produced some of its finest officers and sailors.
To celebrate, we are showcasing some of our Entrepreneurship program alumni that also happen to be Navy veterans! We encourage you to explore their businesses, and pay specific attention to their asks of our community. If you can connect with them or connect them to someone who can help them reach the next level, take the extra step and reach out!
Ellen Bresnahan
US Navy Reserves
Insurance Appeal Consultants
ViR Alum
When you can’t work, but your disability insurance company denies your claim for benefits, Insurance Appeal Consultants will help you build the strongest appeal possible. We offer free and low-cost resources to help you understand your denial letter, work with your doctors to gather additional evidence, and write a winning appeal letter. You can fight back against a wrongful disability claim denial, and we’ll show you how.
Ellen’s Ask: If you know anyone with an insurance company denial letter for disability or life insurance, we offer a free review and appeal plan, please send them our way! We also love referrals from attorneys who handle ERISA disability appeals and who need for cases that don’t fit their own model for representation.
Maria Williams
US Navy
Sweet Melao LLC
Boots to Business, BBiE, V-WISE, ViR, and EBV Alum
Sweet Melao is a veteran-owned, minority women-led business offering natural, delicious sweeteners. Our sweeteners, jams, and granola cookies are crafted with the finest Colombian sugarcane honey. No additional sweeteners, just pure natural goodness to use in your culinary creations or as a natural remedy for coughs and sore throats.
Maria’s Ask: Sweet Melao is seeking partnerships with corporate clients. Our delicious and healthy granola cookies offer employees and guests a unique and sustainable snack option. By partnering with Sweet Melao, corporations can demonstrate their commitment to wellness, sustainability, and supporting veteran-owned businesses. We invite interested companies to contact us to explore opportunities for collaboration and mutual benefit.
Erick Burgos
US Navy (retired)
Outdoor Patriot LLC
BBiE, O2O, and STRIVE Alum
Outdoor Patriot is an outdoor adventure company dedicated to promoting exploration and recreation. Our platform offers tools, training, and incentives to encourage users to engage in outdoor activities. Our flagship product, an activity tracking platform available on web and mobile, combines social media features with tracking capabilities to connect adventurers, share experiences, and foster a vibrant outdoor community. Whether you’re seeking motivation, community, or insights into your adventures, Outdoor Patriot empowers individuals to explore more and stay active in nature.
Erick’s Ask: Outdoor Patriot is looking to connect with veterans in the Salt Lake City area for outdoor adventures while also seeking a Chief Technology Officer to join our team. As we continue to grow, we are also exploring opportunities to expand our business and network within the local community. If you’re interested in outdoor exploration, helping us build the future of our platform, or just want to stay updated on our latest offerings, connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Igo Wordu
US Navy
Clei Group
ViR Alum
Clei Group is a proud Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business. We specialize in making sure your IT, telecommunications, software, and medical supplies get where they need to be, fast and reliably. Since our establishment in 2015, we have proudly served our nation by providing services to NASA, VA, DLA, DoD, and even Amazon. We’re here to simplify the process, so you don’t have to stress about logistics. Let’s work together to get your mission done smoothly.
Igo’s Ask: Hello IVMF community! We’re expanding our network and eager to connect with veterans, military family entrepreneurs, and non-military business entities for partnerships and client referrals. Your recommendations and introductions are greatly appreciated! We welcome mentor-protégée relationships, as well as prime and subcontracting opportunities.
We’re proud of our track record and set-aside qualifications as a SDVOSB and Minority Business Entity, and are in the process of obtaining our 8(a) certification. Our expertise includes IT, telecommunications, software, medical supplies, and general Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) items.
Dave Rossberg
US Navy
Dave Rossberg Strategies
Current Ambassador (NYC)
Dave Rossberg helps business owners and executives make it home in time for dinner with their families while still growing their business and improving their team. Are you suffering from an 80-hour work week? Other symptoms might include always missing your kid’s soccer game, constantly rescheduling date night, or being unable to remember your last real vacation. Is your business running you, instead of the other way around? If this sounds like you or someone you know, reach out, Dave can help. With private 1-on-1 coaching, group coaching, team workshops and training, Dave will help you get your business and team running like a well-oiled machine, so you can live the full life that you deserve.
Dave’s Ask: Dave loves to speak with passionate and successful entrepreneurs of all kinds. If you’re a business owner who wants to grow your business but aren’t sure what to do next, reach out. If you’re an executive with a team struggling to fulfil its potential, reach out. If you know anyone who this sounds like, reach out. Send a note to dave@davidrossberg.com for a complimentary coaching consultation.
David Eichner
US Navy
ICAN Software Solutions
Current Ambassador (Seattle)
ICAN Software Solutions provides Acumatica business software solutions in the cloud (ranked as having highest user satisfaction). We are looking for clients who have outgrown their existing business software solution (Quickbooks, Dynamics GP, Dynamics SL, or others) or have purchased a solution they are unhappy with (Netsuite, Intacct, etc.) either due to pricing or functionality.
Acumatica ERP has an unlimited user licensing model so that you pay for the modules you need and are not constantly having to order new user licenses as your team grows. We support a wide variety of industries that include manufacturing, construction/projects, professional services, wholesale and retail sales integrated with Amazon/Shopify/BigCommerce commerce sites. Ask about our complimentary proof-of-concept projects and our fixed, low-cost implementations of Acumatica ERP.
David’s Ask: If you know someone who needs help with their business software systems, send them to our website or have them contact us via email at sales@icansoftware.com
Sherman Williams
US Navy
AIN Ventures
Current Ambassador (NYC)
We are an early stage DeepTech venture fund that specializes investing at the intersection of dual-use and DeepTech. Founders are the most important part of our investment decision process.
Sherman’s Ask: We are looking for companies to invest into and potential investors for our future funds. We seek founders that possess a unique mix of leadership, determination and grit.
Dr. Karalee Picard
US Navy
Intelligent Solutions USA
BBiE Alum
Intelligent Solutions USA specializes in cultivating positive change with expert problem-solving and empowerment through individual and group coaching, and team and organization training and culture workshops.
Our team has over 50 years of experience working in dynamic situations. We collaborate with senior executives, managers, emerging leaders, and entrepreneurs, offering tailored organizational and leadership solutions.
We also support people in career transitions with expert coaching in resume writing, interviewing, and career goals. At Intelligent Solutions USA, our genuine commitment is to help you reach your highest potential and elevate your career or business to the next level.
Karalee’s Ask: If your company has 8 or more employees, we’d love the opportunity to discuss training, culture, and processes. Also, we’d love to talk with business owners who want to know how to integrate coaching into their employee benefit packages.
Is Your Business Ready for the Next Step?
IVMF’s entrepreneurship programs welcome all veterans and military spouses chase their American Dream of business ownership. We meet entrepreneurs where they’re at in their journey, from those with little more than an idea to serial entrepreneurs planning their latest exit strategy.
Ready to start your entrepreneurial journey with IVMF? Explore our portfolio of entrepreneurship programming, much of it available virtually or at locations across the country. Find the program best suited to help your business take the next step today!