National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 Celebrates Award-Winning Individuals and Organizations for Supporting Veteran Empowerment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023, a week-long celebration dedicated to promoting veteran entrepreneurship, employment, education, social impact, and advocacy, has recognized outstanding individuals and organizations for their significant contributions and impact in these areas.

The awards were presented during National Invest In Veterans Week®, which took place from March 6 to March 12, 2023. The awardees were recognized for their unwavering support of veteran entrepreneurship, raising awareness about the issues affecting veteran employment, outstanding success, innovation, and impact in their industry, commitment to empowering veterans through education, training, and other support services, significant social impact through their programs and initiatives, dynamic social media content advocating for and promoting the well-being and success of veterans, and consistent and effective advocacy for veterans' issues and needs.

The awardees are as follows:

• Champion of Veterans Entrepreneurship Award: Governor Greg Gianforte

• Trailblazer in Veteran Hiring Award: Bruce Thompson

• Veterans in Business Excellence Award: JDog Brands

• Empowerment Through Education Award: Action Zone Tampa

• Social Impact Action of the Week Award: A&A All The Way Foundation

• Social Media Influencer of the Week Award: EnergyUnited

• Veteran Advocate of the Week Award: Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General

"These awards reflect the significant contributions of individuals and organizations to the veteran business community and their ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering veterans," said Lonnell McCall, Director of Advocacy for National Invest In Veterans Week®." National Invest In Veterans Week® continues to celebrate these achievements and inspire others to join the movement towards a more inclusive and supportive community for veterans."

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 was a remarkable success, with events and activities that helped aspiring veteran business owners gain valuable insights, network with other entrepreneurs, and access the resources they need to grow their businesses. It was an inspiring demonstration of the power of community and collaboration, and it serves as a shining example of how we can all work together to support our nation's veterans and their families.

2023 Awardees Bios:

Governor Greg Gianforte was awarded the Champion of Veterans Entrepreneurship Award for his unwavering support of veteran entrepreneurship. His advocacy for policies and initiatives that promote small business ownership and economic empowerment has been a driving force behind the success of many veteran-owned businesses.

Bruce Thompson was awarded the Trailblazer in Veteran Hiring Award for his work in raising awareness about the issues affecting veteran employment and providing resources to help veterans manage these issues. His efforts have inspired many to follow in his footsteps and create more opportunities for veterans in the workforce.

JDog Brands was awarded the Veterans in Business Excellence Award for their outstanding success, innovation, and impact in their industry. As a veteran-owned business, JDog Brands has inspired and empowered other veterans to pursue entrepreneurship, making a significant contribution to the veteran business community.

Action Zone Tampa was awarded the Empowerment Through Education Award for their commitment to empowering veterans through education, training, and other support services. Their efforts have helped veterans transition into civilian life and achieve their goals, making a positive impact on their lives and their communities.

A&A All The Way Foundation was awarded the Social Impact Action of the Week Award for their significant social impact through their programs and initiatives. This civilian-led organization has created positive change in the veteran business community and beyond, inspiring others to follow their lead.

EnergyUnited was awarded the Social Media Influencer of the Week Award for their dynamic social media content advocating for and promoting the well-being and success of veterans. Their efforts have inspired and empowered others to support and uplift veterans, creating a more positive and inclusive community.

Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General, was awarded the Veteran Advocate of the Week Award for her consistent and effective advocacy for veterans' issues and needs. Her efforts have made a significant impact on improving the lives of veterans and their families, and she has been a longtime supporter of National Invest in Veterans Week®.

These awards reflect the significant contributions of individuals and organizations to the veteran business community and their ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering veterans. National Invest in Veterans Week® continues to celebrate these achievements and inspire others to join the movement towards a more inclusive and supportive community for veterans.

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 was a remarkable success, with events and activities that helped aspiring veteran business owners gain valuable insights, network with other entrepreneurs, and access the resources they need to grow their businesses. It was an inspiring demonstration of the power of community and collaboration, and it serves as a shining example of how we can all work together to support our nation's veterans and their families.

For more information on National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 and how you can get involved, visit the official website at www.investinveteransweek.com.

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 Celebrates Veteran Entrepreneurship and Success

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023, a week-long celebration of veteran entrepreneurship and success, successfully promoted and advocated for the growth of veteran-owned businesses. From March 1st to March 7th, 2023, thousands of veteran business supporters, government agencies, and lawmakers participated in various events and activities in partnership with Action Zone Tampa.

The week kicked off with a special event in partnership with 1MC Tampa, where 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. The event was well-attended, and the veteran business owners received valuable feedback that they can leverage to take their ventures to the next level.

Other events 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 recognition of top achievers through 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 middle of the week saw 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.

On the second to the last day, 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 and information that can help them navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.

The week also featured 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.

• Champion of Veterans Entrepreneurship Award: Governor Greg Gianforte

• Trailblazer in Veteran Hiring Award: Bruce Thompson

• Veterans in Business Excellence Award: JDog Brands

• Empowerment Through Education Award: Action Zone Tampa

• Social Impact Action of the Week Award: A&A All The Way Foundation

• Social Media Influencer of the Week Award: EnergyUnited

• Veteran Advocate of the Week Award: Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General

These awardees were recognized for their significant contributions and impact in promoting veteran entrepreneurship, employment, education, social impact, and advocacy. Congratulations to all the winners!

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 was a remarkable success, with events and activities that helped aspiring veteran business owners gain valuable insights, network with other entrepreneurs, and access the resources they need to grow their businesses. It was an inspiring demonstration of the power of community and collaboration, and it serves as a shining example of how we can all work together to support our nation's veterans and their families.

For more information on National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 and how you can get involved, visit the official website at www.investinveteransweek.com.

Technical Aspects Behind The National Invest In Veterans Week® Logo

Brandon Sugar

Synopsis

The reasoning behind the color choices for the National Invest In Veterans Week® logo is quite significant. The blue reef with a star in the middle represents strength and resilience, which are the core characteristics of our veterans. The blue color (#3c3b6e) symbolizes loyalty, trust, and wisdom, while the star also in blue (#3c3b6e) is a representation of guidance and achievement.

The shopping bag with the American flag overlay (#e8bdad) is a symbol of our nation's gratitude and support towards our veterans' businesses. The color red in the flag represents courage and sacrifice, white represents purity and innocence, and blue represents justice and perseverance.The green sun (#6fbf55) adds a touch of vibrancy and energy to the design, and it represents the growth and prosperity that veteran-owned businesses bring to our economy. Green is also a color of balance and harmony, representing the balance between our nation's support and the hard work and determination of veteran entrepreneurs.

Living the Mission

Partnering with a combat veteran like Brandon Sugar for the design of the National Invest In Veterans Week® logo is not only a symbol of our commitment to supporting veterans, but it's also a testament to the skills and talent that veterans bring to the table. Brandon's degree in graphic design from Jacksonville University and his experience as an Army combat veteran made him the perfect fit for this project.

Partnering with Army Combat Veteran Brandon Sugar, who holds a degree in Graphic Design from Jacksonville University, brought a unique perspective to the design process. Brandon's experience and understanding of the veteran community allowed us to create a logo that truly represents the mission of National Invest In Veterans Week®.

As a nationally syndicated columnist, I had the honor of overseeing the design and deployment of the National Invest In Veterans Week® logo, which was created in collaboration with Army Combat Veteran Brandon Sugar. While graphic design isn't my area of expertise, I was fortunate enough to work with a talented designer who brought our vision to life.

The process behind envisioning and creating the logo was a collaborative effort. We wanted to create a design that would evoke a sense of pride and patriotism, while also highlighting the importance of investing in our nation's veterans. We chose a blue reef with a star in the middle to symbolize the strength and resilience of our military community. The shopping bag with the American flag overlay represents the idea of investing in veteran-owned businesses and supporting our nation's economy. And of course, the green sun adds a touch of vibrancy and energy to the design.

When it came to the color scheme, we selected shades of blue, green, and white to create a cohesive and eye-catching design. The dark blue (#3c3b6e) represents stability and trust, while the light pink (#e8bdad) adds a touch of warmth and approachability. The lavender gray (#b3b1cb) adds a sense of sophistication and balance, while the bright green (#6fbf55) symbolizes growth and vitality. Finally, the white (#ffffff) provides contrast and balance to the overall design.

Overall, the National Invest in Veterans Week® logo was designed with intention and purpose. It is a reflection of our commitment to supporting and investing in our nation's veterans, and we hope that it inspires others to do the same.

Behind the color choices

To start, we carefully considered each element of the design. The blue reef with the star in the middle represented the unity and support that we wanted to promote throughout the week. We chose blue as it is a calming color that also symbolizes trust and loyalty. The star in the center represents the bright future that veterans can achieve with the right support and investment.

Next, we added the shopping bag with an American flag overlaid to emphasize the importance of buying from and supporting veteran-owned businesses. We chose the flag to represent the patriotism and dedication of the veteran community.But we didn't want the design to feel too heavy or serious, so we added a touch of vibrancy and energy with the green sun. Green is often associated with growth, renewal, and hope, all of which are important themes when it comes to investing in our veterans and their businesses.

Finally, we chose the color codes #3c3b6e, #e8bdad, #b3b1cb, #6fbf55, and #ffffff to bring the design to life. The deep blue (#3c3b6e) provided a strong foundation, the pale purple (#b3b1cb) added a touch of sophistication, and the bright green (#6fbf55) brought energy and vitality. Finally, we used white (#ffffff) to create contrast and make the design pop.

Why collaborate with a combat veteran for this branding project?

Partnering with a combat veteran like Brandon Sugar for the design of the National Invest In Veterans Week® logo is not only a symbol of our commitment to supporting veterans, but it's also a testament to the skills and talent that veterans bring to the table. Brandon's degree in graphic design from Jacksonville University and his experience as an Army combat veteran made him the perfect fit for this project.

But this partnership is about more than just creating a logo. It's about honoring and recognizing the sacrifices that veterans have made for our country and their continued contributions to our communities. By investing in veteran-owned businesses and promoting their products and services, we can help create economic opportunities and support their transition into civilian life.

The National Invest In Veterans Week® logo represents this commitment to veterans and their businesses. The blue reef and star symbolize the strength and unity of our country, while the American flag overlay on the shopping bag represents the economic benefits of investing in veteran-owned businesses. And of course, the green sun adds a touch of vibrancy and energy to the design, reminding us of the resilience and determination of our nation's veterans.

In the end, it's all about recognizing the value and potential of our veterans and supporting them in their post-military endeavors. By partnering with Brandon Sugar and Tech From Vets, we were able to create a logo that not only represents this mission but also celebrates the creativity and talent of our veterans.