Our Impact

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 was a remarkable celebration of veteran entrepreneurship and success that advocated for the growth of veteran-owned businesses. From March 1st to March 7th, 2023, thousands of government agencies, lawmakers, and veteran business supporters came together in partnership with Action Zone Tampa to participate in various events and activities that aimed to empower veterans.

The week started off with a bang as veteran business owners pitched their businesses to the community in search of advice, suggestions, and referrals to the resources they need to grow their businesses. This event, in partnership with 1MC Tampa, was a massive success, and the veteran business owners received valuable feedback to take their ventures to the next level.

The week also featured several notable speakers, including Dewayne Kimble, an expert in the VA disability process, who led an information session titled "Understanding Your Disability Rating." In this session, veteran entrepreneurs learned how to get the most out of their VA claims and the resources available to them through the VA.

Throughout the week, National Invest In Veterans Week® celebrated the successes and achievements of veteran entrepreneurs across the country. One of the highlights of the week was the Veterans in Business Excellence Award, which recognized JDog Brands, a veteran-owned business that has demonstrated outstanding success, innovation, and impact in their industry, inspiring and empowering other veterans to pursue entrepreneurship.

The week also featured various panel discussions that provided valuable insights into the resources available to veterans and their families to help them cope with the unique challenges they face. Troy Howell, MD, with the James A. Haley Veteran’s Administration, served on a Suicide Prevention Resources panel. Dr. Shane Smith, Director of Central Florida for the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, also participated in a panel discussion that focused on local resources for veterans and their families.

The week also provided valuable resources and information to military spouses. The VFW Post 4321 held a Military Spouse Networking event, followed by a talk from Kelly Douglas of the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE) at the SOCOM Resource Center at MacDill Air Force Base. These events were aimed at providing military spouses with valuable resources that can help them navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.

Finally, the week culminated in a powerful panel of Veteran Service Organizations that delivered a message of hope to the many veterans in attendance who were looking to learn more about the VA Healthcare System. The panel discussed the various resources available to veterans and their families, including healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

National Invest In Veterans Week 2023® was a week-long celebration that successfully promoted and advocated for the growth of veteran-owned businesses, empowering veterans and their families across the country.