As high school graduation approached, Erik Rita felt uncertain about his future so he decided to enroll in a community college on O’ahu. A couple years later he became a father and needed to set up a life where he could take responsibility and provide for his new family. He worked full time, became a homeowner at a young age, and created a path for the family to succeed, but life had other plans. His day-to-day routine was tough, and he needed a reset. The idea of joining the military had lingered in his mind since middle school, but he had never acted on it. One day, that changed. Erik picked up the phone, called a recruiter, and committed to serving his country.

“The first few days in the military were a shock,” Erik recalls. “I was raised with freedom, and suddenly I was bound by strict rules. It was jarring, but that same discipline gave me the structure I had been missing.”

Through his service, Erik learned to follow orders, master new skills, and work as part of a team. Most importantly, he gained self-awareness. He realized he valued righteousness, freedom, and honest leadership. Over time, but with full appreciation, he realized that he did not just want to follow orders; he wanted to create his own path.

While grateful for his time in uniform, Erik also knew he needed to prepare for life after the military. During his military separation, he took advantage of provided benefits, but briefly slipped into old routines that were not serving him or his family. He quickly recognized the risk of falling back into the old patterns. Seeking stability, he turned to plumbing. With the discipline he had developed in the military, he worked hard, joined a union, and earned his journeyman’s license. The job challenged him, forced him to grow, and in return gave him security, but over time, familiar frustrations returned. Erik’s eagerness to be effective and efficient started to affect his experience. He wanted his ideas to be heard, yet he was still following someone else’s plan.

That realization led Erik to a significant new decision. He would become an entrepreneur. He started his own plumbing business, determined to build a schedule and ultimately a future on his own terms.

What Erik did not know was that his wife, Cherisse, had already connected with Alicia, a local community navigator. Alicia ran a program designed to help veterans and military families pursue entrepreneurship. At first, Erik resisted. Between raising kids, paying bills, and managing work, the idea of evening classes felt impossible. But Alicia encouraged them to attend, and they went to their first session together.

It became a turning point.

The program, Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship (STRIVE), is a grassroots initiative led by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and its dedicated partners. STRIVE is designed to transform veterans and military family members into successful entrepreneurs. It empowers individuals to unlock their full potential by providing access to education, funding, and growth opportunities essential to launching and sustaining a business.

By fostering a new generation of veteran-owned enterprises, STRIVE promotes economic development, supports wealth creation, and cultivates a culture where every veteran or military family member with the drive to build a business is given the opportunity to do so. The initiative reflects a deeply rooted American value: that service and sacrifice should be honored with opportunity.

For Erik and Cherisse, STRIVE was more than just a training program. It gave them a language for business, a framework for thinking like entrepreneurs, and a community that believed in their vision. It validated Erik’s experiences and showed him how they could be transformed into a life of independence and purpose.

STRIVE also opened their eyes to new possibilities. They began to dream of launching fishing charters on the islands, a venture they had never imagined before. Some people doubted them. Switching careers again seemed risky. But with the support of Alicia and the STRIVE community, they learned that with passion they could make plumbing, fishing, or any other pursuit a sustainable business with the right tools and systems.

Guest speakers, hands-on training, and ongoing encouragement reinforced that their dream was within reach. The road has not been easy. Licensing, legal requirements, and countless details remain. But Erik and Cherisse no longer feel overwhelmed. They have built a network, gained confidence, and already closed on a business purchase. They consider this achievement only possible due to the skills and mindset STRIVE gave them.

When asked what advice he would share with other veterans, Erik is direct. “Make the time. Go to the class. Even if you think you already know enough, you will walk away with tools, perspective, and opportunities you cannot afford to miss. You would be stupid not to go.”

Looking ahead, Erik hopes not only to grow his ventures but also to give back. He dreams of returning as a STRIVE alum to inspire the next generation of veteran entrepreneurs. His story proves that with discipline, resilience, and the right support, uncertainty can be transformed into freedom, purpose, and fulfillment.

Erik’s journey with STRIVE is just the beginning. As a graduate of the program, he is now eligible for additional IVMF initiatives such as the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV), EBV Accelerate, Coalition for Veteran-Owned Business (CVOB), and CEOcircle. These programs are designed to help entrepreneurs like Erik scale their businesses, access mentorship and capital, and continue building sustainable ventures. With continued support from IVMF, Erik is well-positioned to thrive on his entrepreneurial path and inspire others to do the same.