Hey Guys & Dolls!!
I'm so excited to present this week's feature on B. Ayesha's Phenomenal Allies! I'm a big supporter of small business owners. What better way to show my support than by featuring them and helping to get their name out, right? Here's another week of awesomeness!
I'm pleased to introduce to you my Soror Meosha Thomas, Founder of One Savvy Veteran!
B. Ayesha: What is your name?
Meosha: Meosha Thomas
B. Ayesha: What is the name of your business?
Meosha: One Savvy Veteran
B. Ayesha: How long have you been in business (anniversary)?
Meosha: April 1, 2015 will make one year! Yay!
B. Ayesha: How did you get started in this business?
Meosha: I served 10 years active duty in the United States Navy before I was injured supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was honorably discharged and retired from military service due to my extensive injuries and sent home in 2010. When I returned home, it was hard to find a place that had all the information I needed to help me transition from military service to civilian life. The few organizations I did find gave inaccurate information. It was a very frustrating and lonely time in my life. In the military, we are a part of a team with a purpose. I was isolated and missed the camaraderie that comes with the sisterhood of military service. I also noticed that as few services as there were for veterans, there was even FEWER services for women veterans. My mother instilled in me that “if you are not a part of the solution, then you are a part of the problem.” I wanted to create an organization that I did not have when I got out of the military. An organization that encouraged, educated and empowered women veterans helping them successfully navigate from military service to civilian life. One Savvy Veteran is a source of support, assistance, resources and camaraderie for women veterans. I created a solution like my mother taught me and the military trained me.
B. Ayesha: What are the biggest issues for running this type of business?
Meosha: Funding, of course. Most funding agencies still do not think of women as veterans so much of the funding for veterans go to organizations servicing a large population of males. Also, learning self-care, most social entrepreneurs do not take time to put themselves first. If you constantly pour into others and not filling yourself, you will burn out quickly.
B. Ayesha: Running your own business can become overwhelming at times. What motivates you to keep going?
Meosha: Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time." - Marian Wright Edelman…in the military we learn to leave no one behind. This motivates me to keep pushing forward because my sisters in arms need a voice and an advocate!
B. Ayesha: What is the future for this type of business?
Meosha: Currently, One Savvy Veteran is a non-profit organization to meet the needs of women warriors. Our mission is to encourage, educate and empower women veterans to successfully navigate the transition from military service to civilian life. We are a source of support, advocacy, assistance and access to veteran-specific information and resources for women veterans in Illinois. We hope take our local model and spread nationwide. This way women veterans are being serviced throughout the United States.
B. Ayesha: What advice would you give other aspiring entrepreneurs?
Meosha: Step out on faith and follow your dream and live in your purpose! If your dreams do NOT scare you, then you are not thinking BIG enough! You will make mistakes and that is GOOD. It means you are growing, learning and improving.
B. Ayesha: Is there anything else you would like my readers to know about you and/or your business?
Meosha: We have 5 Signature Programs:
Career Center - We help our women warriors train and prepare for their career in today's workforce. Individual career counseling which includes resume development, interview preparation, job leads, networking, LinkedIn account creation with professional photo, and basic computer training. Clients leave with a USB Flash drive storing their DD214, current resume and professional photo. For those women veterans looking to transition to a new career, we use our network to provide mentors and internships in their field or industry of interest.
Combat to Chic Women Veteran Boutique - Our goal with this program is to enhance employment opportunities for women veterans by providing interview and workplace appropriate clothing, coupled with a personal stylist and coaching, to build self-confidence through appearance, interview preparation and sense of belonging at the workplace. Women Veterans shop the boutique for FREE!
Monthly Vet Togethers - Community service, social and networking gatherings to foster camaraderie amongst women veterans. There is no better way to bring a community of women veterans together than by enabling them to serve alongside one another. This is why we have multiple service projects and volunteer opportunities for women veterans in the community. Our social events are fun and interactive while still allowing for networking and raising funds to aid women veterans in need.
Grant a "Sheroes" Wish - Through the generosity of businesses, organizations and the American public, One Savvy Veteran grants wishes to economically-disadvantaged women warriors as a way to recognize and honor their bravery and sacrifice to our country.
"Got Your 6" Emergency Assistance - Moments arise when you need your “battle buddy” to help you make it through a difficult time. One Savvy Veteran leaves no veteran behind. We offer emergency assistance for our women warriors in crisis. We provide emergency housing, groceries, gas, transportation, clothing, etc.
If you would like to delve more into the fabulousness that is Meosha and One Savvy Veteran, you can find out more on these social mediums: Instagram, Facebook, Email and Website!
If you would like to be a featured small business owner or if you know someone that should be featured, email b.ayesha@bayeshainc.com!
So what do you guys think? Too Much Info? Any additional questions? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for tuning in!! See you next time!
Be A "SHE" Who Lives!
~XOXO
I'm so excited to present this week's feature on B. Ayesha's Phenomenal Allies! I'm a big supporter of small business owners. What better way to show my support than by featuring them and helping to get their name out, right? Here's another week of awesomeness!
I'm pleased to introduce to you my Soror Meosha Thomas, Founder of One Savvy Veteran!
B. Ayesha: What is your name?
Meosha: Meosha Thomas
B. Ayesha: What is the name of your business?
Meosha: One Savvy Veteran
Meosha: April 1, 2015 will make one year! Yay!
B. Ayesha: How did you get started in this business?
Meosha: I served 10 years active duty in the United States Navy before I was injured supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was honorably discharged and retired from military service due to my extensive injuries and sent home in 2010. When I returned home, it was hard to find a place that had all the information I needed to help me transition from military service to civilian life. The few organizations I did find gave inaccurate information. It was a very frustrating and lonely time in my life. In the military, we are a part of a team with a purpose. I was isolated and missed the camaraderie that comes with the sisterhood of military service. I also noticed that as few services as there were for veterans, there was even FEWER services for women veterans. My mother instilled in me that “if you are not a part of the solution, then you are a part of the problem.” I wanted to create an organization that I did not have when I got out of the military. An organization that encouraged, educated and empowered women veterans helping them successfully navigate from military service to civilian life. One Savvy Veteran is a source of support, assistance, resources and camaraderie for women veterans. I created a solution like my mother taught me and the military trained me.B. Ayesha: What are the biggest issues for running this type of business?
Meosha: Funding, of course. Most funding agencies still do not think of women as veterans so much of the funding for veterans go to organizations servicing a large population of males. Also, learning self-care, most social entrepreneurs do not take time to put themselves first. If you constantly pour into others and not filling yourself, you will burn out quickly.
B. Ayesha: Running your own business can become overwhelming at times. What motivates you to keep going?
Meosha: Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time." - Marian Wright Edelman…in the military we learn to leave no one behind. This motivates me to keep pushing forward because my sisters in arms need a voice and an advocate!
B. Ayesha: What is the future for this type of business?
Meosha: Currently, One Savvy Veteran is a non-profit organization to meet the needs of women warriors. Our mission is to encourage, educate and empower women veterans to successfully navigate the transition from military service to civilian life. We are a source of support, advocacy, assistance and access to veteran-specific information and resources for women veterans in Illinois. We hope take our local model and spread nationwide. This way women veterans are being serviced throughout the United States.
B. Ayesha: What advice would you give other aspiring entrepreneurs?
Meosha: Step out on faith and follow your dream and live in your purpose! If your dreams do NOT scare you, then you are not thinking BIG enough! You will make mistakes and that is GOOD. It means you are growing, learning and improving.
B. Ayesha: Is there anything else you would like my readers to know about you and/or your business?
Meosha: We have 5 Signature Programs:
Career Center - We help our women warriors train and prepare for their career in today's workforce. Individual career counseling which includes resume development, interview preparation, job leads, networking, LinkedIn account creation with professional photo, and basic computer training. Clients leave with a USB Flash drive storing their DD214, current resume and professional photo. For those women veterans looking to transition to a new career, we use our network to provide mentors and internships in their field or industry of interest.
Combat to Chic Women Veteran Boutique - Our goal with this program is to enhance employment opportunities for women veterans by providing interview and workplace appropriate clothing, coupled with a personal stylist and coaching, to build self-confidence through appearance, interview preparation and sense of belonging at the workplace. Women Veterans shop the boutique for FREE!
Monthly Vet Togethers - Community service, social and networking gatherings to foster camaraderie amongst women veterans. There is no better way to bring a community of women veterans together than by enabling them to serve alongside one another. This is why we have multiple service projects and volunteer opportunities for women veterans in the community. Our social events are fun and interactive while still allowing for networking and raising funds to aid women veterans in need.
Grant a "Sheroes" Wish - Through the generosity of businesses, organizations and the American public, One Savvy Veteran grants wishes to economically-disadvantaged women warriors as a way to recognize and honor their bravery and sacrifice to our country.
"Got Your 6" Emergency Assistance - Moments arise when you need your “battle buddy” to help you make it through a difficult time. One Savvy Veteran leaves no veteran behind. We offer emergency assistance for our women warriors in crisis. We provide emergency housing, groceries, gas, transportation, clothing, etc.
If you would like to delve more into the fabulousness that is Meosha and One Savvy Veteran, you can find out more on these social mediums: Instagram, Facebook, Email and Website!
If you would like to be a featured small business owner or if you know someone that should be featured, email b.ayesha@bayeshainc.com!
So what do you guys think? Too Much Info? Any additional questions? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for tuning in!! See you next time!
Be A "SHE" Who Lives!
~XOXO
 |
Bina Ayesha
Owner, B. Ayesha Inc     |
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1 Comments
Great article! Very inspirational and I am so proud of you both!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading!