At seventeen years old, these are the values instilled in me by the United States Army. To this day, they continue to act as my guideposts — leading me toward success outside of the uniform. However, my journey, like so many others, has not been easy.
After my time in service, it took me years to find myself. I battled with depression and suicidal thoughts. I was broke. I didn’t have a car. I nearly became homeless. I destroyed relationships and hurt loved ones. If your experience transitioning out of service has been similar — you are not alone. I’ve been there, too. I made it through, and I’m here to help you do the same.
Looking back, I realized that I lost three things when I transition out of the Army — my identity, sense of purpose, and community.
Ohio Veterans Collaborative (OVC)
I founded the OVC with a simple mission in mind: "To help Ohio Veterans find success outside of the uniform." But it's more than just a mission; it's a vision. We dream of being that force that strengthens Ohio by uniting our Military community. We aim to bridge the gap, connecting our brothers and sisters to local programs, resources, and opportunities they might not even know are out there.
Bunker Labs
Headquartered in Chicago, Bunker Labs stands as a beacon of support for veterans and military spouses with entrepreneurial aspirations. As a national nonprofit with 40 chapters spread across the country, Bunker Labs is dedicated to helping veterans and their spouses transition their business ideas from mere concepts to thriving enterprises. Their structured programming guides veterans from ideation to launch, from launch to growth, and from growth to scale.
Stronger Together
Look, service taught us one undeniable truth: together, we're unstoppable. That camaraderie, that spirit of lifting each other up, it doesn't end just because we're out of uniform.
So, if you ever need a hand or just want to chat about opportunities, I'm here. Let's keep supporting each other!
My new mission…
To help fellow veterans find peace, happiness, and success in life outside of the uniform.
