Veterans Growing America Podcast ft. Tanisha Nicholson (QTEE Crochet)

In this heartwarming and inspiring episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast, hosts Coach R.L. Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with Tanisha Nicholson, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, artisan, and the creative force behind QTEE Crochet.

Tanisha shares her journey from 22 years of military service to building a soulful brand rooted in craftsmanship, love, and community. With humility and humor, she reflects on her transition from service member to business owner—and how discovering Veterans Growing America became the spark that helped her finally believe in her creative calling.

From one-of-a-kind crochet pieces to custom resin art, Tanisha’s creations tell a story of purpose, resilience, and originality. In this episode, she opens up about the emotional side of entrepreneurship, the power of representation, and the beauty of creating with intention.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• QTEE Crochet was born from Tanisha’s lifelong love of creating and giving.
• Military life taught her discipline, leadership, and how to channel competitive drive into excellence.
• She never intended to sell her art—until VGA gave her permission to shine and the resources to grow.
• Tanisha doesn’t follow patterns—she lets spirit, color, and connection lead her designs.
• Her first crochet class helped a student go from beginner to selling their own work.
• Customer service, community, and confidence are cornerstones of her business advice.
• VGA provided the LLC help, business tools, mentorship, and emotional support—all for free.
• Her work was recently featured on The View—a testament to what happens when you “just do it.”

👑 “Don’t say you’re going to do it. Do it. You never know who you’ll meet at VGA.”

💫 Connect with Tanisha & QTEE Crochet:
🔗 Instagram & Facebook: @qtcrochet_2019
🌐 Website: www.veteransgrowingamerica.com → Search "QTEE Crochet" in the Members Directory

🧶 Custom commissions | Resin art | Crochet classes | Crochet with love.

🎯 Veterans Growing America – Where We Brag Different
Join the only community that helps veterans, military spouses, and dependents start and grow businesses through mentorship, events, exposure, and love.

👉 Shop, support, and join at www.veteransgrowingamerica.com
📍 Visit our stores in Stonebridge VA and Clarksburg, MD
📱 Follow: @VeteransGrowingAmerica
🐐 Need a money coach? Book with Coach RL at yourmoneygoat.com/bookings

🛒 #ShopVeteran | #VeteransGrowingAmerica | #QTEECrochet | #BlackWomenInBusiness | #MilitaryCreatives | #VeteranEntrepreneurs | #SupportSmallBusiness | #CrochetWithLove | #BlackVeteranOwned | #JustDoIt

In this deeply moving episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast, Coach RL Simmons sits down with Dr. Ariel Jordan — Army veteran, trauma-informed therapist, author, and founder of Mindset Quality — to discuss post-traumatic growth, racial healing, and redefining resilience for veterans, leaders, and first responders.

After serving in the U.S. Army as a culinary specialist, Dr. Jordan experienced a series of personal traumas that led her to become a powerful force in the mental health and healing space. She now dedicates her life to helping others transform pain into purpose through therapy, EMDR, wellness retreats, and her signature program: Mission Redefine.

This episode is a masterclass in emotional resilience, leadership after loss, and the critical role of support systems, community, and healing conversations in veteran entrepreneurship.

🔑 What You’ll Learn:

What post-traumatic growth really means
How trauma shows up in leadership & entrepreneurship
Why veterans & first responders need more than motivation
Dr. Jordan’s personal journey from survival to service
The story behind Mindset Quality and Mission Redefine
The connection between racial trauma and mental health
How to build your “battle buddy” and “starting five” in business
Why healing must happen before legacy can be built

📚 About Dr. Ariel Jordan:

🪖 U.S. Army Veteran (Culinary Specialist)
👩🏽‍⚕️ Licensed Therapist, EMDR & Trauma Specialist
✍🏾 Author of Holding Space & United We Serve, United We Heal
🧠 CEO of Mindset Quality
🌿 Retreat Leader | Mental Wellness Advocate | Speaker
🔗 Resources & Links:
🔗 Website: https://bio.arielandjordan.com
📘 Books: Holding Space, United We Serve, United We Heal
🌐 Follow @MindsetQuality on Instagram and LinkedIn
💼 VGA Community: veteransgrowingamerica.com

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In this inspiring episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast, Coach RL Simmons and Donnell Jones sit down with Lily and Patricia, twin sisters and co-founders of Likha Kawayan — a unique family-owned brand crafting handmade bamboo bags sourced directly from the Philippines.

Raised in the military spouse lifestyle and rooted in resilience, Lily and Patricia share how they’ve navigated over 15 years of entrepreneurship, transitioned from web design to physical products, and partnered with their father to preserve a traditional Filipino craft. From bootstrapping businesses to building community with Veterans Growing America, this episode is packed with actionable advice, humor, heart, and hard-earned wisdom.

🧵 Key Highlights:

The truth about starting a business as a military spouse
Why they pivoted from services to physical products
The story behind Likha Kawayan’s bamboo bags
Challenges of entrepreneurship (and how to survive them)
How VGA helped them move from theory to execution
The power of setting boundaries in business
Their entrepreneurial superpowers (and yours too)
What it means to be “in business for yourself, but not by yourself”

🔗 Connect with Likakawayan:

🌿 Website: https://likhakawayan.com/
👜 Alt URL: https://www.likhabags.com
📱 Instagram: @likhakawayan
📘 Facebook: Likhakawayan
💼 LinkedIn: Lily and Patricia Arboleda
📍 VGA Directory: veteransgrowingamerica.com

✅ Support Veterans Growing America:

Become a member: veteransgrowingamerica.com
Join our events or shop in-store
Follow us on all social platforms: @veteransgrowingamerica
When you're in business for yourself, make sure you're not by yourself

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