Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2018 Veteranpreneur Contest. Three products have been selected and voting will be open on Friday, May 25 and continue through the weekend. Learn about the finalists below and return to poppydayusa.org Friday, May 25 to submit your vote!
Meet the Finalists
Nerissa Alford Designs – Lithia, FL
As a United States Air Force military spouse and mother of two boys, Nerissa Alford has found inspiration all over the world through the lens of her camera and channels the beauty she sees into art. In January, she started Nerissa Alford Designs as a way to create stable employment and income even as her family moves to different duty stations. She is a painter, photographer, graphic artist and jewelry designer, and hopes to use these mediums to share her art with the world.
Nomadés – Loveland, CO
The Nomadés Collection was started by a group of military wives who spent years swapping tales of deployments, moves, jobs, kids, marriages and more. Launched in 2009, Nomadés operates with consultants all over the world. Gathering at Charming Events, women chronicle their stories with personal and significant charms. From duty station charms to love story and life-change charms that mark special moments, Nomadés charms are custom-designed and created in the United States.
Abby Maddy Designs – Woodbridge, VA
Stefanie Weakley is a proud United States Army spouse. She started Abby Maddy Designs in 2010 while her husband was deployed to Afghanistan, her father was fighting terminal cancer and she was pregnant with the couple’s second child. She says the business was a way for her to find balance, use the business side of her brain and also stay at home with her children. Over the past seven years, she has grown the business into a successful lady’s accessory boutique and credits a village of strong, creative and incredibly talented women for serving as a constant source of inspiration and encouragement.
Be sure to return to poppydayusa.org Friday, May 25 to cast your vote. Can’t wait? Visit the Poppy Shop to see poppy products currently available.