Happy 250th Birthday, Army!

On June 14th, 1775, the Second Continental Congress created a unified army to fight Great Britain under the command of George Washington. This Continental Army, while initially led by British Army veterans, would quickly evolve with the help of French aid and resources, along with the military thinking of the French, Prussians, and influence of Native American combat tactics, becoming the modern US Army we all know today. Over 250 years, the US Army has evolved into one of the most powerful fighting forces in the world.

Happy 250th Birthday, Army!

To celebrate, we are showcasing some of our Entrepreneurship program alumni that also happen to be Army 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!

Luvina Sabree

Luvina SabreeArmy Veteran
Bomb Azz Lemonade
V-WISE, Veteran EDGE, ViR, BBiE Alum

Bomb Azz Lemonade is on a mission to do more than just quench your thirst. We care deeply about making a difference by employing remarkable adults with disabilities who might not otherwise get a chance. How’s that for refreshing? Grab a bottle and taste the change today!

Luvina’s Ask: We urge everyone to take a second look at the incredible potential of individuals with disabilities, especially those with special needs. By hiring them and recognizing their talents, we can create a more inclusive world. Support this mission and enjoy some delicious Bomb Azz Lemonade while you’re at it!


Lisa Maynes

Lisa MaynesArmy Veteran
Wellness Collaborative Campus
ViR, BBiE Alum

The Wellness Collaborative Campus is a veteran-founded nonprofit building a rural mental health and wellness hub in Central Texas. We serve veterans, first responders, and families through trauma-informed retreats, counseling, and hands-on community programs—all in a peaceful, practical setting. Our mission is to fill critical gaps in care with real-world support that restores connection and well-being, changing how mental health care is accessed and delivered.

Lisa’s Ask: We’re raising $600K in startup funding to secure a turnkey rural property and launch the Wellness Collaborative Campus—a place where veterans, first responders, and families can access real, practical support. With a sustainable model built on insurance reimbursement, strategic partnerships, and program income, this is a one-time lift with long-term impact. If you can help us reach funders, allies, or networks who believe in transforming rural mental health, we’d be honored to connect.


Jan Gorospe

Jan GorospeArmy Veteran
Hiro Services Inc.
CEOcircle Alum

Last year, 264 shootings struck U.S. schools, and just a few months into 2025 the number has already climbed to 89. Hiro aims to reverse this trend. Our True Prevention platform harnesses computer vision to recognize early behavioral and environmental warning signs, delivering real‑time alerts to school staff so they can intervene before violence occurs.

Jan’s Ask: We are now in Phase One—building the infrastructure that will bring True Prevention to every campus. To speed deployment, we’re seeking introductions to superintendents, district administrators, and local leaders who share our commitment to student safety. We are also raising capital to fund this roll‑out: individual supporters can invest through our live crowdfunding campaign, and warm connections to mission‑aligned venture capital firms would be equally valuable. If you are interested in supporting our journey and owning a part of our mission, please connect with me directly at jan@urhiro.com.


Paden Sickles

Paden sicklesArmy Veteran
SickFit
BBiE, V-WISE Alum

At SickFit, we engineer socks with innovative designs that combine durability, health, and performance to inspire resilience and confidence in every step. Our socks feature compression technology to enhance circulation, promote foot health, and support injury prevention. We focus on delivering high-quality products that meet the demands of athletes, military personnel, healthcare providers, and individuals needing reliable foot care.

Our mission is to transform the sock industry by creating products that not only provide comfort but also improve the performance and well-being of those who wear them.

Paden’s Ask: As we continue to scale SickFit, we’re seeking strategic partnerships to help accelerate our growth. Specifically, we would appreciate your support in connecting us with potential investors, retailers, and government organizations that align with our mission to innovate foot health and performance for athletes and military personnel.


Zane Johnson

Zane johnsonArmy Veteran
MZA Legal
BBiE Alum

Technology has made it easier than ever to start a small business or side hustle, but finding professional legal help that fits the needs of the average solopreneur is still a challenge. Enter MZA Legal—a one-of-a-kind virtual law firm offering flat-fee legal solutions for solopreneurs and side-hustlers. Whether you’re negotiating an agreement or registering a trademark, we offer the quality and affordable support you need to move forward with confidence.

Zane’s Ask: We recently launched the MZA Legal Café—a legal resource hub offering access to professionally drafted templates, guides, checklists, and legal workshops designed to help you navigate the legalities of running and owning a small business. Take advantage of our free one-week trial membership and let us know what you think of the Café! If you like it, feel free to stick around as a monthly or annual member, and spread the word to other entrepreneurs.


Milcah Ssebbowa

Milch SsebbowaArmy Veteran
Precious
ViR Alum

Founded in 2019, Precious is not just a beauty brand but a beacon of cultural heritage and holistic well-being. We bring you age-old beauty secrets from Africa, infused with natural ingredients directly sourced from Ugandan farmers. Precious addresses common skin, hair, and health concerns with products that are chemical-free and packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids.

Our mission is simple: to celebrate and preserve the beauty rituals passed down through generations, promoting overall skin, hair, and holistic health.

Milcah’s Ask: Precious champions holistic beauty, educating customers on the power of our unique, ethically sourced products. We foster genuine community connections, offering solutions that resonate deeply. Our social mission, supporting women in Uganda, is woven into our brand.

Looking ahead, we seek funding and strategic partnerships to scale our impact. We’re a data-driven company committed to sustainability and continuous growth. By joining us, you invest in more than a business – you support cultural preservation and empower women globally.

Experience the magic of Precious. Let’s bring century-old beauty secrets to the world.


Treazure Owens

Trezure OwensArmy Veteran
Treazure Marketing
BBiE, O2O, V-WISE Alum

Treazure Marketing is a certified MBE, WBE, and SDVOSB marketing and communications firm specializing in helping businesses and nonprofits amplify their impact through strategic branding, digital marketing, and public relations. Beyond marketing, we connect changemakers with J/ROTC interns, providing hands-on experience and mentorship that builds the next generation of leaders. We also host the annual Black Veterans Expo, a critical initiative that connects underserved Black Veterans with employment and business resources, ensuring they have the support needed to thrive.

Treazure’s Ask: We’re seeking sponsors and partners to help expand the Black Veterans Expo and our J/ROTC Internship Program, both of which create meaningful opportunities for veterans and future leaders. For the Black Veterans Expo, we’re looking for businesses, veteran service organizations, and corporate partners to support and engage with our efforts to connect Black veterans with essential employment and business resources. Additionally, we invite business owners and organizations to hire J/ROTC cadets—either by becoming a Treazure Marketing client and leveraging their skills through our program or by directly employing them for internships—giving these young leaders valuable hands-on experience while strengthening their career pathways.


Nisla Love

Army Veteran
Choose Love Solutions
ViR, BBiE, and Ambassador Alum

We help small business owners keep more money in their pockets through tax planning so they can build generational wealth while staying compliant with the IRS. We make complex financial concepts simple and actionable, ensuring your business is financially sound, audit-ready, and set up for long-term success. We are your trusted partner—walking alongside you every step of the way to bring clarity, peace of mind, and real financial growth; your success is our mission.

Nisla’s Ask: If you know someone feeling overwhelmed and needing a better way of running their business, we would love to share our program, Streamline Your Business, with them. It provides the tools, strategies, and expert support to manage cash flow, lower tax bills, and build a business in compliance that works. The program ends all the stressing over numbers and gets the business growing with confidence.  Please contact us at support@chooselovesolutions.com to learn more.


Liseth J. Velez

Liseth VelezArmy Veteran
LJV Development
BBiE, ViR, CEOcircle, and Ambassador Alum

LJV excels in construction management, prioritizing safety in every project we undertake. We leverage advanced virtual design tools and agile methods to ensure precise planning and execution. We focus on preconstruction services, strategic scheduling, and thorough quality control. We effectively manage risks to deliver consistent, high-quality results.

Liseth’s Ask: At LJV, we are seeking partnerships with fellow veteran-owned businesses, skilled construction trade partners across all specialties, and talented Construction Superintendents and Project Managers. Join us in our mission to build spaces and places so that working and living are just…better.

We also welcome introductions to organizations looking to collaborate on new construction ventures.

Let’s build something great together!


Charles Masters Rodriguez

Charles Masters RodriguezArmy Veteran
MK3 Industries
BBiE, ViR, and Ambassador Alum

MK3 Industries is an innovative wholesale distribution company dedicated to delivering the highest quality fleet maintenance equipment, tire supplies, and automotive products to our valued customers. Our core expertise lies in servicing a diverse clientele, spanning individual consumers, commercial entities, and notably, government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.

Charles’ Ask: If you know any individuals or companies in the fleet industry—whether they’re fleet maintenance service providers or fleet wholesale part suppliers, please connect me: charles@mk3industries.com. Would love to have some open conversations with them to further understand their biggest pain points ordering parts and running their daily operations.


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 that will take your business to the next level today!