In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight, we speak with Nicole (Pompei) Zettlemoyer—Marine and Air Force veteran, mom, and founder of Wreaths by Nicole P. What began as a creative way to repurpose an old uniform became a viral business now featured on major platforms like Fox News and CBS.

Nicole discusses her dual-military transition, the inspiration behind her first wreath, and how she’s built a thriving company crafting military uniform keepsakes that preserve stories of service. With over 3,000 pieces made for veterans and Gold Star families across all 50 states, Nicole's work goes far beyond décor—it's about legacy, honor, and healing.

🎙️ Don’t miss this powerful story of transformation, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Visit: www.wreathsbynicholep.com
Follow: @wreathsbynicholep on Instagram and Facebook
Subscribe to more VET S.O.S. episodes at vetsospodcast.com
#VeteranEntrepreneurJourney #MilitaryUniformKeepsakes #VeteranOwnedBusiness #WomenInUniform #MilitaryMomsMatter #GoldStarFamilySupport #VeteranCreativity #WreathsByNicoleP #PostMilitaryLife #VETSOS

In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight, host Maurice Murphy sits down with retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Jason West, founder of Officers Eat Last. Jason opens up about his transition journey, the unpredictability of entrepreneurship, and the life-changing impact of servant leadership.

Discover how he turned setbacks into strategy and how his consulting firm now helps business owners scale with intention and integrity. If you're a veteran looking to lead with purpose or launch your own venture, this episode is a must-listen.

Listen now and grab the SOS lifeline!
🔗 officerseatlast.com | LinkedIn: Jason West

#VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitaryLeadership #OfficersEatLast #ServantLeadership #VeteranPodcast #VetTransition #BusinessConsulting #LeadershipTraining #VeteransInBusiness #VetSOS

Renea Jones-Hudson, U.S. Army veteran and founder of Beyond the Uniform, joins the Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight to share her story of purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Discover how Renea transformed her military transition into a mission to help women veterans rediscover their voice, reframe their identity, and reintegrate with power and purpose.

From personal training to leadership coaching, Renea breaks down her OWNIT framework and reveals what it truly takes to lead yourself beyond the military. This episode is essential listening for women veterans seeking clarity, community, and a plan to move forward.

🎯 Beyond the Uniform: reneajoneshudson.com
📲 Follow her @renejoneshudson on all social platforms

#VETSOS #VeteranEntrepreneurship #WomenVeteransLead #EmpowermentJourney #BeyondTheUniform #MilitaryToCivilian #VeteranSupportNetwork #FemaleVeteransMatter #TransitionBlueprint #VeteranCoach #PostServicePurpose

U.S. Army veteran Sepi Browning joins Maurice Murphy on the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight to share her journey from military medic to founder of Brighthour HIT Consulting Corporation, a veteran-owned healthcare IT consulting firm.

Sepi explains how her military service shaped her entrepreneurial mindset, the challenges she faced entering the civilian workforce, and how she’s now leading digital transformation in hospitals and public health systems. She also highlights her new 501(c)(3), the Brighthour Foundation, providing scholarships and mentorship to future healthcare leaders.

This episode is a powerful look into the heart of a mission-driven veteran leader changing healthcare—one solution at a time.

💡 Topics Covered:

• Veteran-owned healthcare innovation

• Importance of networking in transition

• Building a purpose-driven consulting firm

• Launching a nonprofit for healthcare education

📍Connect with Sepi on LinkedIn
🌐 Visit: brighthour.net

🔗 Follow VET S.O.S. on social media: @vetsospodcast
🎙️ Listen to all episodes: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PXqxzptNSgBuSXpgDpDPM

#VeteranOwnedBusiness #HealthcareInnovation #WomenInTech #MilitaryToCivilian #DigitalTransformation #HealthITConsulting #VeteranSupport #NonprofitLeadership #BrightHourHIT #VETSOS

Career counselor and veteran advocate Leora Opstelten joins host Maurice Murphy for a powerful conversation on navigating military transition through career clarity and purpose. Leora discusses building her remote business, the emotional impact of her late husband’s transition, and how she helps veterans translate military experience into fulfilling civilian careers.

Hear how Career Counseling by Leora offers flexible, personalized services that empower service members to explore new paths beyond their MOS—and beyond limiting beliefs.

Learn more at careercounselingbyleora.com
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Watch the full episode on YouTube
Listen to all episodes: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PXqxzptNSgBuSXpgDpDPM

#VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitaryTransition #CareerCoaching #CareerClarity #MilitarySpouseSupport #VeteranMentalHealth #VeteranIdentity #PurposeAfterService #VetSuccess #VETSOS

Join Maurice Murphy on the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight as he interviews Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz, a Marine Corps veteran and founder of Strategic Safety and Security Group. From CPR and AED training to large-scale school safety solutions, Dr. Schwartz brings his military and law enforcement experience to the civilian world—empowering others to do the same.

This episode covers:

• The lessons Dr. Schwartz learned the hard way

• Resources every transitioning veteran should know about

• How his team built a one-stop shop for safety and security services

• Advice for aspiring veteran business owners

Connect with Strategic Safety and Security Group at www.sssgrp.net and follow Dr. Schwartz on LinkedIn.

🎙 Don’t miss it—subscribe to the VET S.O.S. podcast today!

#StrategicSafety #VeteranSupport #MilitaryToEntrepreneur #SelfDefenseTraining #SmallBusinessVeteran #VETSOS

In this powerful episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneurial Spotlight, host Maurice Murphy sits down with U.S. Army combat veteran Philip T. Ayles, founder of Ayles Solutions LLC. From a rocky post-military transition to creating a mission-driven consulting company in Jacksonville, FL, Philip shares how emotional intelligence, veteran advocacy, and holistic coaching became his compass for impact.

Philip discusses his experiences in military police, civil affairs, and intelligence—and how they shaped his current work supporting veterans, first responders, and corporate clients. He also opens up about his passion project, Warrior to Love, a book and podcast series focused on healing and redefining purpose after service.

Don't miss this inspiring conversation about personal reinvention, the hard truths of entrepreneurship, and the importance of community-based leadership.
More about Philip: Google “Philip Ayles” or find him on LinkedIn and Facebook.

#VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitaryTransition #LeadershipCoaching #EmotionalIntelligence #VeteranSupport #AylesSolutions #PostMilitaryLife #VeteranOwnedBusiness #WarriorToLove #VETSOS

Todd Bigney, retired Air Force veteran and franchise coach with The Entrepreneur Source, joins us on the Veteran Entrepreneurial Spotlight to share his veteran entrepreneur journey. From floundering in the civilian workforce to discovering his purpose in coaching, Todd’s story is one of resilience, clarity, and service.

He opens up about his early transition struggles, how assessments revealed his true caretaker strengths, and why franchising offered the lifestyle and freedom he needed—especially while supporting his wife through cancer treatments. Now, Todd helps other veterans uncover what truly fulfills them through guided coaching, franchise matchmaking, and ongoing support.

If you’re a veteran considering entrepreneurship but don’t know where to start, this episode is your roadmap to exploring your next chapter with confidence and purpose.

👉 Visit Todd’s site: tbigney.esourcecoach.com

#VETSOS #VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitaryToBusiness #FranchiseOwnership #AirForceVeteranLife #CareerTransition #VeteranCoach #EntrepreneurshipForVets #SmallBusinessSuccess #VeteranLeadership #BusinessMentorship

Child care shouldn’t be the reason a veteran can’t work, attend therapy, or go back to school. Yet for many, that’s the reality.

In this Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight episode, Kayla Corbitt, founder of Operation Child Care Project, talks with host Shawn Welsh about the invisible crisis of veteran child care access. From her own journey as a military spouse to launching a nonprofit that serves families across the country, Kayla breaks down how OCC Project is transforming lives through advocacy, mentorship, and support.

You’ll learn:

• Why child care is often inaccessible even when it’s technically “available”

• How OCC provides real-time case management and trusted caregiver support

• The barriers veterans face after separating from active duty service

• How to tap into veteran entrepreneur programs like Warrior Rising

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the challenges of military transition, parenting, and entrepreneurship.

🎯 Visit OCCproject.org to connect with Kayla
🔔 Follow VET S.O.S. for weekly veteran success stories

#VeteranChildCare #VeteranNonprofit #MilitaryFamilySupport #ChildCareChallenges #MilitaryTransition #VeteranEntrepreneurs #OCCProject #WarriorRising #SpouseSupport #VETSOS

Shannon Huffman Polson—one of the first female Apache pilots and founder of The GRIT Institute—joins the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneurial Spotlight to share her powerful story of transition, authorship, and purpose-driven leadership.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Shannon’s military transition and reinvention

• How her writing evolved into a thriving business

• The GRIT Institute’s origin and holistic leadership programs

• Lessons in entrepreneurial uncertainty, values, and fulfillment

If you're a veteran, leader, or entrepreneur looking for inspiration and actionable insight, this episode will leave you motivated and equipped.

🎙️ Guest: Shannon Huffman Polson
📘 Author of The GRIT Factor & North of Hope
🌐 Visit: thegritinstitute.com
📰 Newsletter: facingthewind.substack.com
📲 Follow: Instagram @ShannonHPolson | LinkedIn

🎧 More VET S.O.S. content: vetsospodcast.com
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#VeteranEntrepreneurJourney #TheGRITFactor #ShannonPolson #MilitaryToCivilian #VeteranLeadership #FemaleVeteranVoices #VeteranBusiness #PurposeDrivenLeadership #ResilienceTraining #EntrepreneurPodcast #VETSOS