Often EQUITY’s profile of the month focuses on one particular individual and his or her experience and hopes as they relate to asset building, employment and building a secure financial future.  This month we bring you several short profiles to better illustrate the breadth of character and experience illustrated by our countries Veterans with disabilities as they start new small businesses, pursue start-up funding and make a difference in the lives of others.  These vignettes offer a glimpse into the various ways the skills, knowledge and confidence learned through the EBV program builds a better financial future for all Americans.

Stephen Redmon

To pursue his entrepreneurial dream, Stephen attended the EBV program at the Whitman School. After graduating, he decided to start NOMDER, LLC, which will provide all people with disabilities with customized state-of-the-art assistive technology and performance solutions to improve their quality of life.

Before joining the military, Stephen was an active community volunteer in Harlem and attended Convent Avenue Baptist Church. He is just one example of
post-9/11 'vetpreneurs' who have a service-related disability and finding empowering ways to redefine their futures and contribute to the US economies.

"EBV helped me to grasp the true opportunities of starting a business by shattering myths about challenges and opportunities. It changed my mind set in that it took me from dreaming and believing to pursuing my dream as a reality."

Toni Williams

Toni, age 34, served eight years in the United States Marine Corps. She now teaches eighth grade history to special education students in Dallas, Texas. "Special needs students are my passion," she says. Her dream of opening a childcare facility and school for special needs children for economically disadvantaged families is why she went through the rigors of the EBV program. Toni says that her non-profit business, Helping Empower Little People, Inc. (HELP) will provide a place for these children to learn, feel comfortable, be successful, and find ways to plug into the community.

She is grateful for the training she received through the EBV at Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. "It has given me the educational background I need to be successful," she said, crediting the program with helping her take an idea from her heart and head, and putting it on paper to make it happen.

Since participating in the EBV in August 2008, Toni has laid much of the foundation for her business. She's created a comprehensive business plan, appointed a board of directors, filed for her articles of incorporation and 501c3 status, and determined the site for the school. She says the next step in her venture is fundraising. As soon as the non-profit status is secure, Toni and her board will set out to raise $400,000, which will pay for facility renovation and operating costs for their first year.

"The EBV equipped me with all the tools," Toni said, commenting on the most important lesson she learned through the program.

Andres (Andy) Chavez Jr. and Shawn James

Andy, age 28, and Shawn, age 33, both from San Diego are former U.S. Marine Corps sergeants who have formed a strategic business partnership since attending the 2008 EBV program. Their business venture, Semper Fi Industrial Supply, is a full-line wholesale industrial/commercial supply distribution company located in San Diego and distributes products consisting of, but not limited to: Adhesives, electrical, fasteners, HVACR, janitorial and painting, hand tools, hardware, lighting, material handling, motors, office furniture and supplies, plumbing, power tools and metalworking, pumps, raw materials, safety, Security, and test instruments to name a few.

Since the EBV program they have been awarded $352 thousand in contracts with the federal government and are self certified with the government as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and with the California Department of General Services as a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise, certification #56659.

“We owe much of our early success to the EBV program and all who made it happen and are continuing to follow-up with us.”

If you would like to read more profiles or find out more about the EBV program please visit: http://whitman.syr.edu/ebv/students.asp