Returning home after years of serving overseas comes with the challenge of adjusting to civilian life. Gone is the daily structure the military provides, and gone is the comradery of being part of a larger team.
According to the U.S. Labor Department, approximately 200,000 men and women leave U.S. military service yearly and return to life as civilians. In addition to the personal challenges, finding work after military service isn’t always easy. Translating years of service, responsibilities, and skills into a resume or job interview can be daunting. For many veterans, this makes entrepreneurship an appealing second career path.
The U.S. Small Business Administration reported that veterans are 45% more likely to start their own business, and one out of 10 small businesses in the U.S. are veteran-owned, approximately 2.4 million businesses.
Ashley Sankar, co-founder of NineteenTwenty and 2023 Pitch Competition finalist, is one of those business owners.
"As I was approaching my 10th anniversary in the Army, I had to decide whether I wanted to make another commitment for 10 years or try something else?" Ashley said in our post, "New to Next, NineteenTwenty, Ashley Sankar." "After serving my time, I decided to see what other impact I could have on the world. I had the idea for NineteenTwenty since 2016 and began the patent process. However, I never expected to run a company. But that's what happened when we officially launched in Nov. 2022. Building a business has been one of the hardest things I've ever done."
Ashley, a former Army Logistics officer, wanted to create sustainable fashion items that also served a function. Her first product is a jacket that users can alter into a tote bag. In November 2024, she appeared on the ABC reality TV show Shark Tank.
Her military experience came in handy during the taping.
"The military taught me a lot of discipline and gave me a lot of grit," Ashley said. "When you start your own business, you must prepare for many ‘nos’ until you hopefully get a ‘yes.’ The military prepares you for that."
Shark Tank has a long history of supporting women veterans, including TORCH Warriorwear, founded by former U.S. Air Force Lt. Haley McClain Hill; Fitfighter, created by U.S. Army veteran Sarah Apgar; and The Natural Grip, founded by U.S. Army veteran Ashley Drake.
Although it's estimated that only 15% of those 2.4 million veteran-owned businesses are also women-founded, the number is rapidly increasing.
Based on preliminary data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Survey of Business Owners, the number of businesses owned by women veterans increased by an incredible 296% between 2007 and 2012, from about 130,000 to 384,548.
Here are organizations and programs that are specifically supporting veteran women entrepreneurs.
Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) – Part of Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, V-WISE is a two-part program, starting with a three-week online course that teaches fundamental business skills to women serving, who have served, or serve as military spouses/partners.
Boots to Business – An entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP). The course provides an overview of entrepreneurship and applicable business ownership fundamentals. Active Duty Service members (including National Guard and Reserve), Veterans of all eras, and spouses are eligible to participate.
Women Veterans Alliance - Premier global network focused on directly impacting the overall well-being of women veterans.
The Women Veterans Entrepreneurship Training (WVET) Program - The Women Veterans Entrepreneurship Training Program is a LiftFund program funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. It offers many in-person and online training opportunities and one-on-one advising for women veterans aspiring or actively operating small businesses in the State of Texas. Women transitioning service members or spouses of active duty military or veterans are encouraged to take advantage of our services.
Veterans Business Outreach Center - The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program offers resources to veterans, service members, and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business.
Penfed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Program – Tailored specifically for veteran entrepreneurs, providing free participation without taking equity in your business. Participants receive personalized guidance from industry experts, access the latest business strategies, and connect with a robust network of fellow veterans and key stakeholders. Hands-on workshops offer practical, immersive learning and exclusive resources to support business growth.
Bottom Line: The journey from military service to entrepreneurship can be a transformative experience for women veterans. With the right skills, resources, and support, they are finding success and redefining what it means to serve—this time, themselves.
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