Locations/Headquarters: Virginia
Business Accolades:
NaVOBA Certified VBE
Diverse Business Elite Magazine
Diverse Business Elite Magazine was founded in 2022 by Albert Edwards.
DBE Diverse Business Elite Magazine is a leading quarterly publication dedicated to addressing global diversity and inclusion issues, championing underrepresented communities including minority, LGBTQ, women, and veteran businesses.
As a partner of the Virginia Diverse Chamber of Commerce, the magazine actively supports and showcases initiatives from top leaders, corporations, and educators committed to fostering diversity in various sectors. The magazine aims to uplift and educate, shedding light on successful corporate supplier diversity programs and fostering collaborations between the public and private sectors. Emphasizing both excellence and exceptionality, DBE Diverse Business Elite Magazine stands as a beacon for diversity and inclusion in the business world.
Learn more about Diverse Business Elite Magazine by visiting their website at https://dbeelitemag.com/.
About the Business - A New Brand for Diversity Leadership!
What services do you provide?
"Publishing Magazine and Event Media Services."
Who are your primary customers?
"Corporations and Small Businesses"
When and how did you start your business?
"2022"
Business Growth Challenges - Growing Through Challenge and Change
What were some of the challenges in starting your business?
"Learning the digital platform."
What is the key to the success of your business?
"Perseverance."
What lessons learned can you share with people to make their business succeed?
"Let your passion be your fuel."
What pitfalls should they avoid?
"Not mastering your craft. Stick to what you are good at."
Service information
Branch:
Army
Service Years:
1956-1964
Highest Rank Attained:
Officer
Why did you join the military?
"Opportunity to leave a small town and serve my country."
Military Occupation:
"Private 1st Class"
Biography/Fun Facts
What would you do if you were not a business owner?
"Farming"
Featured Veteran's Business Enterprise®: In Bloom Flowers Headquarters: Dallas, Texas Year Founded: 1989 # of Employees: 50 Website : www.inbloomflowers.com Service Overview: Flowers, plants, and gifts for all occasions.
Featured Veteran's Business Enterprise®: Tactical Systems & Solutions, LLC Headquarters: Miami, Florida Year Founded: 2023 # of Employees: 5 Website : www.tactsyssol.com Service Overview: Tactical Systems & Solutions LLC provides medical trauma kits for various emergencies, including active shooter situations. Their experienced instructors teach essential techniques for treating injuries and managing emergency situations effectively.
On October 22, NaVOBA celebrated the Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year Awards Ceremony during the 2024 National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Conference in Atlanta. Hosted at Cuts Steakhouse, a sponsor of the event alongside Accenture, Shell, and Hilton, the event was complete with a full course meal, drinks, and networking. Mimi Lohm, NaVOBA's Chief Development Officer, kicked off the event and set the stage for the awardees. Keynote speakers included Brandi Rauch, General Manager of Supply Chain for Shell, Che' McFerrin, Associate Manager, Global Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability at Accenture, and Matthew Pavelek, NaVOBA's President. Before the announcements of the winners, NaVOBA surprised Don McKneely, Chairman & CEO of Minority Business News, with the 2024 Veteran's Business Champion Award. The program then went on to highlight two companies who have demonstrated excellence within their industries with the 2024 Veteran's Business Enterprise (VBE)® We Love Awards. The first VBE We Love Award went to Demond Crump, CEO of REIGN Premium Sanitary Napkins. Founded in 2019, REIGN Premium Sanitary Napkins specializes in providing innovative sanitary napkins and panty liners infused with a Nobel Prize-winning material featuring a super absorbent system. The key to REIGN's success lies in prioritizing their mission over profits, ensuring that the focus on empowering women and young girls takes precedence. Demond served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1990 to 1994, achieving the rank of E-5 and specializing as an Operations Specialist. He is Aegis system qualified and brings a wealth of strategic expertise from his military service to his entrepreneurial journey. You can read more about this VBE spotlight here . The second VBE We Love Award was presented to Paden Sickles, CEO of SickFit. Founded in 2021, SickFit specializes in wholesale and custom socks, as well as murals. SickFit caters to a diverse customer base that includes service members, athletes, corporate partners, active individuals, and government entities. The key to SickFit's success lies in its commitment to innovation and authenticity. As a veteran-owned, woman-owned, and minority-owned company, SickFit represents a movement focused on resilience and empowerment, particularly for those in underrepresented communities. Paden served from 2014 to 2024 in the Army, achieving the rank of Captain and earned the Expert Soldier Badge and Air Assault Wings. You can learn more about this VBE spotlight here . NaVOBA then celebrated the 2024 Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise ® of the Year: Robert Swain, CEO of Swain Enterprises. Established in 2020, Swain Enterprises specializes in federal projects, including restoration and renovations for military bases, federal facilities, and hospitals in the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC areas. Swain Enterprises is committed to providing the highest level of service to government, commercial, educational, and institutional clients. The key to the success of Swain Enterprises has been a focus on integrity, hard work, and strong relationships. From the outset, the company has committed to delivering high-quality work and exceeding client expectations. As a fully veteran-owned business, Swain Enterprises is dedicated to empowering veterans and creating opportunities for those moving from military to civilian careers. You can read more about NaVOBA's 2024 Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year here .
Our Mission
NaVOBA’s mission is to create corporate contracting opportunities for America’s Veteran’s and Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprises (VBEs/SDVBEs) through certification, advocacy, outreach, recognition and education.
Thank you for your interest in the National Veteran Owned Business Association’s Certified Veteran’s Business Enterprise® (VBE) and Certified Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprise® (SDVBE) programs. This initiative creates a nationally recognized gold standard in certification for veteran-owned businesses of all sizes and enables corporate America to proactively source and confidently utilize businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by U.S. military veterans.
