Angel Shuford Announces Sherman Williams Jr. as the Most Trademarked Veteran Beverage Entrepreneur in America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Invest In Veterans Week® Recognizes Sherman Williams Jr. as the Most Trademarked Veteran Beverage Entrepreneur—A Trailblazer in Intellectual Property and Brand Innovation

As President of National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), I am proud to recognize Sherman Williams Jr. as the most federally trademarked veteran beverage entrepreneur in history. With 10 federally registered trademarks, Williams has redefined what is possible for veterans in business ownership, brand expansion, and intellectual property strategy.

This achievement cements his position as the foremost veteran business leader in the beverage industry, demonstrating unmatched expertise in securing, protecting, and scaling intellectual property assets.

Sherman Williams: The Most Trademarked Veteran Beverage Entrepreneur in America

With 10 active federal trademarks spanning functional hydration, wellness drinks, and pet beverages, Williams has transformed the veteran-led beverage industry, strategically creating a brand ecosystem that dominates multiple market categories.

His success is unparalleled, positioning him among the most influential and strategic brand developers in the veteran business sector.

The Largest Veteran-Owned Beverage Trademark Portfolio Ever Assembled

Williams’ trademark portfolio is uniquely diversified, covering health-focused hydration, pet wellness, and skincare-infused beverages.

Sherman Williams’ 10 Federal Beverage Trademarks:

✅ Body Aqua® (Registered 2020) – The flagship hydration brand, pioneering diabetic-friendly, collagen-producing functional beverages.

✅ Woof Water® (Registered 2023) – A premium hydration formula for dogs, designed for optimal pet health and hydration.

✅ Meow Water® (Registered 2023) – A specialized hydration formula for cats, ensuring feline wellness and hydration balance.

✅ Well Water 7.5 pH® (Registered 2020) – A pH-balanced alkaline water brand, formulated to enhance hydration and support cellular health.

✅ Cosmetic Beverage® (Registered 2019) – A first-of-its-kind fusion of hydration and skincare, introducing an entirely new industry category.

✅ Kids Aqua® (Registered 2019) – A nutrient-enriched hydration brand for children, promoting healthy hydration habits from an early age.

✅ Body Aqua Nutrient Fortified Beverage® (Registered 2015) – A high-performance hydration solution, tailored for athletes, military personnel, and health-conscious consumers.

✅ "Be Only Daring to Yourself" Body Aqua® (Registered 2013) – A legacy brand trademark, reinforcing the motivational philosophy behind the Body Aqua movement.

✅ Body Water® (Registered 2012) – A functional water brand dedicated to enhancing hydration for high-performance lifestyles.

✅ Body Aqua® (Legacy Filing, 2012) – A reinforcement of Body Aqua’s ownership in the market, securing brand exclusivity across multiple product lines.

Revolutionizing Veteran-Owned Branding and IP Strategy

Williams is not only a dominant force in the veteran beverage industry, but he has also become a trailblazer in intellectual property and trademark strategy. His ability to successfully secure, protect, and commercialize trademarks places him at the forefront of veteran-led brand innovation.

His expansion into pet hydration, wellness beverages, and skin-nourishing drinks demonstrates market foresight and category diversification, making him a key figure in shaping the future of functional beverages.

Sherman Williams' Role in Expanding NIVW’s Intellectual Property Reach

As Director of Partnerships for National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), Williams is also leading the charge in expanding the organization’s intellectual property holdings. Under his leadership, NIVW has strengthened its brand influence, securing:

✅ National Invest In Veterans Week® (Trademarked 2019) – The only congressionally honored veteran business observance, recognized in 19 U.S. markets and 21 international markets.

✅ Over 40 veteran-focused domains, ensuring global brand visibility and veteran business advocacy.

✅ Invest In Veterans Week Magazine, syndicated across multiple markets, further amplifying veteran business success stories.

✅ A veteran business podcast and media network, creating high-value branding opportunities for veteran entrepreneurs.

A Legacy of Veteran Business Empowerment

Reflecting on this milestone, Sherman Williams stated:

"Veterans deserve more than just a seat at the table—we deserve to own the table. By securing our brands, trademarks, and intellectual property, we ensure that veteran entrepreneurs have control over their business future. My goal is to help veterans build and protect their brands, just as I have done with mine."

With Sherman Williams’ record-breaking IP portfolio, NIVW is now positioned as the most trademarked veteran business ecosystem in America. This partnership is transformational, setting a new precedent for veteran entrepreneurship, brand ownership, and long-term economic growth.

For more information about National Invest In Veterans Week®, visit InvestInVeteransWeek.com.

For more on Body Aqua®, visit DrinkBodyAqua.com.

HarvardX Strong: Leading National Invest In Veterans Week® into a New Era

Introduction: Harvard Excellence and Veteran Entrepreneurship

As President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), I lead one of the most influential veteran entrepreneurship initiatives in the world. My background in military aviation, real estate, and technology has shaped my approach to leadership, but my experience studying at HarvardX’s "Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market" provided the framework for scaling innovation, financial sustainability, and long-term economic impact.

Harvard Business School’s Professor Karim R. Lakhani and Professor Vish Krishnan taught me that entrepreneurship is not just about ideas—it’s about execution, market fit, and sustainable growth. Their insights into technology commercialization, funding strategy, and leadership systems have directly influenced my strategic vision for NIVW’s future.

NIVW is not just an organization—it is a multi-generational movement that has evolved to meet the needs of veteran entrepreneurs. As its new leader, my mission is to expand its reach, increase its financial sustainability, and solidify its legacy for generations to come.

Lesson 1: A Multi-Generational Legacy Must Be Built on Systems, Not Just People

HarvardX taught me that lasting organizations thrive on systems, not individual leaders. Many companies fail because their success relies too much on one person's vision rather than scalable, replicable models.

As President, my role is to ensure NIVW is bigger than any one leader. My leadership will be defined by building systems and structures that make NIVW financially strong, operationally efficient, and globally recognized.

How I’m Implementing This at NIVW:

• Institutionalizing NIVW’s Leadership Structure – To ensure continuity, I have appointed an elite leadership team that will drive NIVW’s mission forward:

  • Dr. Richard S. Freeman – Legal Advisor, veteran entrepreneurship policy expert.

  • Jim Freeman (The Five Satins) – Cultural Ambassador, connecting music, business, and veteran advocacy.

  • Kevin D. Shoun – Director of Strategic Development, expanding financial and business partnerships.

  • Cpt. Sherman Williams Jr. – Military Affairs Liaison, advocating for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.

• Financial Growth Initiatives – I am leading NIVW toward profitability and long-term sustainability through corporate sponsorships, investment opportunities, and government-backed programs.

• Scalability Models – Inspired by Harvard’s commercialization frameworks, NIVW is adopting a repeatable, scalable strategy for veteran business support.

The success of NIVW is no longer dependent on a single leader—it is an ecosystem of experts, systems, and financial resources that will outlast any one presidency.

Lesson 2: Market Fit Determines Success More Than Innovation

One of the most valuable insights from HarvardX’s commercialization course is that innovation alone doesn’t guarantee success. A product, service, or business must be positioned correctly within the market to gain traction.

At NIVW, I’ve applied this market-first approach to ensure veteran entrepreneurs are not just launching businesses, but scaling them successfully.

How This Translates to NIVW:

• The Pledge to Invest in Veteran Businesses – A corporate-backed initiative ensuring veteran entrepreneurs receive funding and contracts from major companies.

• International Expansion – NIVW now has global domains and partnerships to help veteran businesses access international markets.

• Strategic Branding & Endorsements – We’ve secured endorsements from Congress, Fortune 500 companies, and investment leaders, ensuring that veteran businesses remain a national economic priority.

By aligning veteran entrepreneurs with the right markets, the right funding, and the right positioning, we are building a sustainable future for veteran-owned businesses.

Lesson 3: Storytelling Drives Influence and Funding

HarvardX emphasized that strong businesses tell compelling stories. Investors, customers, and policymakers don’t just respond to products—they respond to narratives that inspire action.

At NIVW, we have successfully leveraged storytelling to secure funding, media attention, and government support.

Key Branding & Endorsement Successes:

• Congressional Record Recognition – NIVW is officially recognized in the U.S. Congressional Record, proving its national significance.

• New York Life Investments Feature – NIVW was selected for New York Life’s "2025 Client Outreach Opportunities", a major endorsement from the financial industry.

• Live Oak Bank Partnership – Live Oak Bank spotlights NIVW’s research on veteran entrepreneurship, amplifying its reach and credibility.

• Corporate & Government Partnerships – Fox Business, Live Oak Bank, and other major institutions now actively promote veteran entrepreneurship using NIVW’s research.

By positioning NIVW as a movement rather than just an organization, we have increased investment, engagement, and national recognition.

Lesson 4: Aligning Business Models with Economic Growth

HarvardX emphasized that businesses fail when their operating models don’t align with their mission. This lesson has been crucial in my strategy to restructure NIVW for long-term financial stability.

Key Financial Growth Strategies for NIVW:

• Veteran Business Growth Fund – We are building an investment pipeline for veteran-owned businesses to receive capital at key growth stages.

• Corporate Revenue Streams – We are expanding sponsorships, government partnerships, and financial programs to ensure NIVW can operate independently.

• Data-Driven Decision Making – Using Harvard’s market research frameworks, we now make evidence-based business decisions to guide veteran entrepreneurship initiatives.

By treating NIVW as a sustainable business rather than just an advocacy group, we ensure it remains financially viable and impactful for future generations.

Lesson 5: Preserving Academic and Intellectual Influence in Veteran Advocacy

Another aspect of HarvardX’s impact on my leadership is the importance of intellectual credibility in business and policy advocacy. Academic research plays a critical role in establishing legitimacy, securing funding, and influencing policy decisions.

My husband, Jeff Shuford, has contributed to this intellectual foundation, with his academic citations in AI ethics, technology commercialization, and economic globalization shaping how NIVW presents its policy and business recommendations.

Jeff Shuford’s Most Notable Academic Citations:

1. "Deep Reinforcement Learning and Its Industrial Use Cases: AI for Real-World Applications" – Wiley Online Library.

2. "A Multifaceted Vision of the Human-AI Collaboration: A Comprehensive Review" – IEEE Access.

3. "Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence: Synergies" – Compliance Cosmos.

4. "Advancing Breast Cancer Diagnosis through Breast Mass Images, Machine Learning, and Regression Models" – National Institutes of Health (NIH).

5. "The Mechanisms of AI Hype and Its Planetary and Social Costs" – Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, University of Cambridge.

NIVW benefits from this scholarly credibility, reinforcing our role as a thought leader in veteran entrepreneurship and policy development.

Conclusion: Harvard Knowledge Driving a Multi-Generational Legacy

HarvardX’s Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market has given me a world-class framework for leadership, innovation, and economic empowerment. As President of NIVW, my role is to ensure it remains a multi-generational institution that continues growing beyond any one leader.

This is only the beginning. With Harvard knowledge, structured innovation, and a commitment to veteran entrepreneurship, we will continue building a lasting legacy—one that will empower veteran businesses for generations to come.

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Further Reading & Resources

For more insights into National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), its multi-generational impact, and the ongoing work supporting veteran entrepreneurship, explore the following resources:

• Live Oak Bank Spotlights Veteran Entrepreneurship Using NIVW Research
  Read more

• Shuford-Freeman-Hawley Military Legacy: A Multi-Generational Chronicle of Service and Leadership
  Read more on Invest In Veterans Magazine
  Read more on Florida Veterans

• Dr. Richard S. Freeman: A Legacy of Legal Excellence and Economic Empowerment
  Read more on Hotchkiss Alumni News

For additional updates and research on veteran entrepreneurship and economic policy, visit:
National Invest In Veterans Week Media Center

National Invest in Veterans Week Featured in ARSA’s Prestigious Aviation Life Calendar

Read the full ARSA newsletter here.

National Invest in Veterans Week (March 1–7) continues to earn its place as a cornerstone event in recognizing and empowering veteran entrepreneurs, as highlighted in the Aeronautical Repair Station Association’s (ARSA) 2024 Aviation Life Calendar. This inclusion places the week alongside other impactful observances like Women of Aviation Worldwide Week, reflecting its importance within the aviation and broader business communities.

Angel Shuford, President and Chief Financial Officer of National Invest in Veterans Week, heralded the recognition as a step forward in amplifying the voices of veteran entrepreneurs. "To see National Invest in Veterans Week included among such key events speaks volumes about the growing acknowledgment of veterans’ contributions to industries like aviation," Shuford stated. "This week is about more than just celebration—it’s about creating opportunities and investing in the futures of those who have served."

Kevin D. Shoun, who served as Angel Shuford’s First Sergeant during her Army aviation career and now supports the initiative as a Senior Advisor, underscored the collaborative spirit behind the week’s mission. "National Invest in Veterans Week is not just a tribute to veterans—it’s a call to action for industries to engage with and support the incredible talent and resilience veterans bring to the table," Shoun remarked. "This recognition by ARSA helps bridge the gap between veteran-led businesses and industries like aviation that thrive on innovation and determination."

The Growing Legacy of National Invest in Veterans Week

Since its inception, National Invest in Veterans Week has expanded its footprint, gaining traction both nationally and internationally. The inclusion in ARSA’s Aviation Life Calendar highlights the increasing intersection between veteran entrepreneurship and critical industries like aviation maintenance and repair. This synergy demonstrates how veterans' skills and leadership contribute to economic development and industry innovation.

The recognition also aligns with ARSA’s broader mission to promote diversity and excellence within the aviation community, making National Invest in Veterans Week a natural fit within its calendar of key events. The week serves as a platform for policy discussions, networking opportunities, and visibility for veteran-owned businesses, offering a vital boost to veterans transitioning from military to civilian life.

Looking Ahead

As National Invest in Veterans Week grows in prominence, its inclusion in ARSA’s calendar is a testament to the week’s mission to foster a culture of support for veteran entrepreneurship. By featuring this observance, ARSA not only acknowledges the vital contributions of veterans to industries like aviation but also reinforces the importance of partnerships in driving meaningful change.

For more details on the 2024 Aviation Life Calendar and the initiatives recognized, visit ARSA’s newsletter.