Spotlight on Six Veteran Entrepreneurs Succeeding in Government Contracts
After leaving the military, veterans often pursue various career paths based on their skills, interests, and experiences. Many veterans transition into civilian employment, leveraging their military training and experience to secure roles in management, logistics, engineering, cybersecurity, and other fields.
Entrepreneurship is a popular choice for some veterans, who use their leadership skills and discipline to start their own businesses. And overtime, some veterans will start selling their products to the government.
As a veteran-owned business in the government contracting space, you benefit from specific programs and set-asides designed to give you a competitive edge in securing contracts. These initiatives are tailored to support veteran entrepreneurs and ensure they have ample opportunities to succeed.
There are thousands of veteran-owned companies thriving in this arena. Today, let’s get to know some of the interesting companies that are making significant strides in government contracting.
Nicole Daly and the Passion for Beautifying People
Nicole Daly is a dedicated professional who has always had a passion for helping others express themselves. During her career in the Army and Air Force, she honed her skills in hair and nail styling, preparing for a future career in the beauty industry. Despite working part-time as a stylist for over a decade, Nicole dreamed of owning her own salon. In 2013, she realized this dream by opening Hair Journeys Salon and Beauty Bar in Albany, NY.
When Nicole opened Hair Journeys, she quickly connected with her local Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC). The VBOC provided her with various resources and classes to help her gain business knowledge and grow her salon. These trainings equipped her with the tools and confidence needed to overcome business challenges.
Nicole deeply values the mentorship from her VBOC, which has been instrumental in turning Hair Journeys Salon into a community favorite. Whenever she needs advice, she relies on her VBOC for consultation and guidance.
With the support of the VBOC, Nicole and her team excel in satisfying customers and building long-term relationships.
Now, Hair Journeys Salon and Beauty Bar is a veteran and woman-owned business that offers a wide range of services, including haircuts, hair color, highlights, weaves, hair extensions, wigs, braid styles, and more. The salon is dedicated to providing consistent hair care for both women and men, as well as makeup and lash services, in a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere.
Almost 20 years into her beauty career, Nicole Daly is still dedicated to helping people look like the best version of themselves.
Mark Stafford and the Rise of Delta Solutions in Space Tech
When he was young, Mark Stafford joined the Air Force and served two tours in the Middle East. During his service, Mark discovered his passion for space operations, which led him to hold numerous positions in Space Control and Space Operations. In 1998, he transitioned from active duty to the Air Force Reserves, allowing him more time to explore his interest in space technology.
After his active duty service, Mark worked at the Aerospace Corporation, supporting multiple Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial space programs as a Technical Advisor and Source Selection Advisor.
He then spent over ten years at Booz Allen Hamilton, where he held various leadership positions as a technical consultant and manager. In these roles, he was responsible for business development, marketing, and managing teams that supported the DoD, NASA, and other national clients.
In 2000, Mark turned his passion into reality by founding Delta Solutions & Strategies, a service-disabled veteran-owned defense support services firm based in Colorado Springs.
Delta Solutions & Strategies offers a comprehensive range of services, including training and education for military exercises, modeling and simulation for missile defense and space operations, SATCOM operations and ground station maintenance, professional services for civil engineering and construction management, and humanitarian assistance and disaster preparation. Their expertise supports key defense and government operations, ensuring high-quality and reliable solutions for their clients.
Mark grew Delta Solutions by utilizing his local SBA district office for counseling, workshops, and information about certifying his business as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business through the SBA’s VetCert program. This certification gave him access to exclusive government contracts, enabling his business to grow from a small startup to a powerhouse.
23 years later, Delta Solutions employs over 315 people, protecting U.S. Space assets and managing $370 million in contracts. The company opened a new location in Washington, D.C. in 2022. Delta Solutions has won multiple awards, including the Best Workplace award from the Colorado Springs Gazette and the National Small Business Week Prime Contractor of the Year Award in 2023, nominated by the U.S. Space Force.
Kevin Long and His Take on IT/Cyber Solutions
During Kevin Long’s service as an officer in the Army National Guard, he was deployed twice over the past seven years: first to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), and more recently to Europe for Operation Trident Ready (OTR) with the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine (JMTGU).
In 2014, he founded Ethic Tech, LLC, a company specializing in Information Technology (IT), Cybersecurity, Engineering Services, and Base Operations Support (BOS) Work Management and Optimization for government agencies, contractors, and commercial entities. As the name suggests, Ethic Tech was established with a strong commitment to delivering exceptional services in an ethical and principled manner.
Ethic Tech has grown through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, including two small business acquisitions supported by an SBA 7(a) loan in 2021.
This growth enabled the company to relocate to a larger facility, tripling its square footage. As a result, Ethic Tech broadened its client base, securing contracts with multiple federal agencies and extending its reach to 12 states and four countries.
The company also leverages resources from the APEX Accelerator Program to enhance its government contracting efforts and actively participates in industry events to stay informed. In 2024, Kevin and Ethic Tech were honored with the Alabama Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year award.
Through strategic growth and community involvement, Ethic Tech continues to expand its service offerings and contribute to various charitable organizations, including Kids to Love, Meals on Wheels, veterans groups, and more.
With more than 30 years of combined corporate experience serving government organizations, their team brings both technical expertise and professional insight, offering a deep understanding and adaptability to deliver customer-driven results.
Until now, Kevin has continued to serve as a dedicated military personnel member. Ethic Tech just announced the safe return of our COO, Kevin Long, back home to Huntsville from his deployment overseas with the 155th Armor Brigade Combat Team (ABCT), where he supported efforts in Ukraine.
Jeff Anderson and His Journey to Become a Prime Contractor
Jeff Anderson, who once served as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps, attributes his military experience to shaping his core values of hard work, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to mission accomplishment. These values have become the cornerstone of ATEK Distribution, the company he founded.
Founded in 2018, ATEK is a premier provider of electrical solutions, dedicated to offering top-quality products and comprehensive services to our customers. As a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certified by the State of Minnesota and the CVE/SBA, they distribute a wide array of electrical products, including wiring, cabling, lighting, renewable energy products, and more.
As a Prime Contractor for the United States Government, their expertise includes product selection, sourcing, and providing expert engineering and consulting services. We proudly serve various industries such as Commercial, Institutional & Government (CIG), Municipalities, Universities, Schools, and Hospitals (MUSH), as well as the construction and industrial sectors, ensuring every project meets the highest standards of quality and excellence.
ATEK has remained ahead in a rapidly growing industry by staying nimble and responsive, particularly during the disruptions of 2020. After just a few years in business, they pivoted to distribute PPE, which strengthened existing partnerships and led to new relationships. With the help of a COVID EIDL loan, ATEK recovered from the pandemic’s impact.
In 2021, Anderson connected with APEX Accelerators, who helped him obtain Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification. This certification allowed ATEK to access sole-source and set-aside contracts, securing several government contracts and earning the status of a PRIME U.S. Government contractor. In September, ATEK secured a spot on the GSA schedule.
Anderson also participated in the SBA’s T.H.R.I.V.E Emerging Leaders program in 2023 and works with a SCORE Mentor for business growth advice. ATEK has received several SBA loans to support its expansion.
John Maida Set to Transform the Art Display Landscape
After joining the Air Force in 1987 and enrolling in their technical school as a mechanic, John Maida was stationed in South Dakota, working as a crew chief for the Air Force KC-135 R model aircraft. During his service, he participated in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm at bases in Europe. His travels allowed him to visit art framing shops and observe various framing styles, which sparked his interest in creating a more durable and aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional framed art.
While visiting his girlfriend in Montreal, Maida discovered prints mounted on wood with hand-painted borders but lacking protective coatings. This inspired him to reverse engineer the process and develop a method to laminate prints on durable mediums like aluminum, foamboard, or wood plaques, offering washability and UV light protection. In 1993, Maida chose to be stationed at McConnell AFB in Wichita, Kansas, where he began refining his manufacturing process in his home’s basement.
By 1995, Maida started producing plaque-mounted prints and selling them to fellow service members. After leaving the Air Force in 1997, he used his compensation to finance a kiosk in Wichita’s Towne East Mall, where he introduced his innovative plaque mounts to the public. The success of this venture led to the incorporation of Laminage Products, Inc., DBA L’image, in 2001. Maida expanded his offerings to include traditional frames, photo printing, and canvas gallery wraps from his storefront in Wichita’s Delano district.
Despite challenges in creating a market for his product, Maida’s persistence paid off. His first major commercial sale was to New York Bagel Shop, providing laminated prints for 120 locations. This success led to further opportunities with other franchise restaurants and retailers. Although the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the market, SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program and Debt Relief program helped sustain his business.
Today, L’image continues to grow, with plans to enhance their online presence.
“Our next endeavor at L’image is to revamp our web presence for more online sales. Developing an interactive web presence has proved difficult because digital customers need to see their print on different plaque mounts or traditional frame options,” said Maida.
Kendra Chubbuck Leveraged her Extensive Experience to Launch Shore Shop Gifts
After serving as an administrative specialist at Bath Iron Works, one of Maine’s largest employers, Kendra Chubbuck gained valuable experience overseeing workforce issues. She further honed her skills at CEI, working on workforce, housing, and lending issues, and in HR at The Portland Newspapers and WGME, building crucial media connections.
Upon leaving CEI and moving to Isle au Haut, Kendra decided to leverage her extensive experience to launch Shore Shop Gifts, with guidance from her Women’s Business Center advisor. She built her business around the unique charm of Maine’s coast, focusing on local products that appeal to both tourists and locals.
Kendra’s commitment to continuous improvement led her to pursue classes from the SBA’s Veteran Wise training, the Island Institute’s Island Sustainability and Leadership Excellence (ISLE) program, and workshops from the WBC and other SBA Resource Partners.
This allowed her to keep her inventory fresh and appealing, expand her market through social media marketing, and offer year-round shipping, even though the store is only open during the summer season and by appointment in the off-season.
Beyond her business, she has taken on key leadership roles in her community, such as installing a defibrillator at the Town Hall and serving as town clerk, notary public, Dedimus Justice, and co-chair of the Maine Island Coalition. Her significant efforts in supporting other Maine entrepreneurs and her community earned Shore Shop Gifts, LLC the 2024 Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year award for Maine.
