Black women veterans are leading a wave of entrepreneurship that is giving back to their communities and changing perceptions about the intersection of business and military experience. According to a report by JPMorgan Chase, Black women are the fastest-growing demographic of business owners in the U.S., leading nearly 2.7 million businesses nationwide, and their growth among veterans is even more significant. Between 2014 and 2019, the number of businesses owned by Black women increased by 50%, marking the highest growth rate among female demographics. By 2021, Black women owned nearly 2.7 million businesses nationwide.
Within this trend, Black women veteran business owners are becoming more recognized for their contributions to business leadership. Most report that the discipline, strategic thinking, and resilience that come with being in the military can act as a buffer to overcome systemic barriers and the grueling nature of entrepreneurship.
Lindsay Tramel-Jones, owner of Fierceified Creative & Consulting, developed her boutique agency as an exit plan from the Army. Her military service sharpened her ability to adapt and interpret market trends.
“My 18 years in the Army taught me how to adapt, lead, and make the best of what I had. Every new move pushed me into new territory,” Tramel-Jones said. Her journey as a business owner began in the military when a senior male colleague underestimated her abilities because of her gender.
“That moment reshaped my perceptions and drive,” she said. “In that instant, I knew I had to create my own space—one where talent and potential weren’t limited by narrow expectations and biases. As a Black woman in the Army, I already faced challenges like hair struggles and skewed body weight standards. We often talk about how we can’t show up with our natural hair because it causes a distraction. I knew when I transitioned I didn’t want to wait for someone else to validate my skills or ambitions. I wanted to build something that lifts people like me, people who disrupt, challenge, and rebuild on our terms.”
Tramel Jones is not alone. Across the country, Black women veterans are charting their paths in business ownership. Influenced by the discipline and adaptability they learned through military service, they have found common ground in entrepreneurship on their terms.
Tabatha Turman, CEO of Integrated Finance and Accounting Solutions (IFAS), began rebuilding her life after serving in Iraq.
“After completing a tour in Iraq, I transitioned to working as a senior financial advisor for the Wounded Warrior Program, helping injured service members navigate their benefits,” Turman said. “While this government role kept me connected to the military community, I realized I was still entrenched in the war—only now my uniform was a suit. That realization drove me to chart my path, which led to founding IFAS.”
Turman credits her military experience, especially in combat, with shaping her business strategy and growth.
“The first lesson is getting out of your comfort zone,” she explained. “In combat, there are so many unknowns, and fear is inevitable. But to complete the mission, you must find the courage to push past it. The same applies to entrepreneurship. By pushing past my comfort zone, I’ve discovered that most people genuinely want to connect and collaborate. When we share our insights and work together, everyone wins.”
For Rachell Bonds, franchise owner of Famous Toastery, her love for cooking was ignited during her travels with the military.
“Throughout my career, I traveled extensively, both stateside and overseas, and experienced diverse cultures and their unique cooking techniques,” Bonds said. “This broadened my culinary perspective and deepened my passion for cooking. When I retired, starting my own restaurant felt like the perfect next chapter.”
Bonds sees her hybrid identity as a Black woman and veteran as the blueprint for her resilient approach to entrepreneurship.
“As a Black woman veteran, I have faced unique challenges, but I see them as opportunities to build a strong foundation for my business,” Bonds said. “My military background instilled discipline, teamwork, and strategic thinking, but my identity as a Black woman shaped my commitment to inclusion and empathy in business.”
For Aaliyah Kissick, former Miss Illinois United States and CEO of Financial Literacy Diaries, resourcefulness has been key.
“I’m a huge fan of bootstrapping,” Kissick said. “I started with $50, faced challenges marketing on a tight budget, and overcame them with time and sweat equity. By the time I was medically retired, I had gained experience running my first business and serving as Miss Illinois, United States.”
Kissick’s goal is to share the American Dream through financial education. “I’m an entrepreneur who succeeded against all odds. I want to inspire others to achieve their dreams, especially those defended by our troops.”
In 2022, a study by Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) reported that Black women veterans are launching businesses at a higher rate than their peers across all demographics. Still, there are systemic barriers that Black women face. A 2022 Federal Reserve Bank report found that black-owned businesses are twice as likely to be denied loans, even with good credit scores.
For Laverne Amara, owner of NVLX Labs, funding her business meant she needed to be resourceful.
“I initially funded NVLX Labs through bootstrapping, using my own savings and reinvesting every dollar back into the business. While I have received some support from grants, like the Commodity Perfumes grant for International Women’s Day, funding remains a challenge,” Amara said. “As a Black woman veteran, I’ve faced unique obstacles in this process. Loc’d hair is not widely understood outside the Black community, and educating investors can be difficult because it’s not considered mainstream.”
Shay Williams, a Miami-based Pilates instructor, also echoed the challenges of getting business funds.
“The biggest roadblocks included funding and making sure people saw my vision. What kept me going during tough times was my passion, the support of my friends and family, and knowing that my work is bigger than just me,” Williams said. “I funded my business using my own money from my full-time job in clinical research. If participants paid for an event, I would put that money back into future events and resources. Being a Black woman veteran, I often found it challenging to be taken seriously and secure the resources needed for success, which influenced how I approached my business planning and funding.”
Charlynda Scales, an Air Force veteran who is now the founder of Mutt’s Sauce and leads the 6888 Kitchen Incubator, said that she, too, bootstrapped her business using her savings from time served in the military and grants but also found it difficult to secure funding in traditional ways. And despite often feeling overlooked, her dedication to her family’s legacy kept her focused.
“Starting Mutt’s Sauce was deeply personal for me. My grandfather, “Mutt,” created a special all-purpose sauce in 1956 that became a tradition in our family. After he passed away, he left the recipe to me,” Scales said. “Even though I wasn’t a chef or food expert, I was still on active duty in the United States Air Force, and I remember holding that handwritten recipe, feeling a mixture of fear of the unknown and this undeniable sense of responsibility to share his legacy with the world. That was my moment. I realized that I could honor him by creating a business that would not only share his sauce but also tell our family’s story.”