The Veterans Growing America Podcast
Welcome to "The Veterans Growing America Podcast," hosted by the insightful duo, Donnell Johns and R.L. Simmons. This engaging podcast is dedicated to showcasing the entrepreneurial journeys of veterans, active service members, and their dependents who have bravely ventured into the world of business.
In collaboration with Veterans Growing America (VGA), an organization committed to fostering the growth of veteran-owned businesses, our hosts bring to life the stories of those who have served their country and are now serving their communities through entrepreneurship. Each episode invites a new guest to share not only the unique proposition of their business but also their personal narrative as a veteran or a family member of a veteran.
The Veterans Growing America Podcast
Episode 33 - Let's talk about Branding and Marketing w/ Olivia Nunn | Veterans Growing America
In this powerful episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast, hosts Coach R.L. Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with U.S. Army Veteran, CEO, speaker, mental health advocate, and branding expert Olivia Nunn — the dynamic founder of Olivia Nunn Communications.
Olivia shares her raw and inspiring journey from Army officer to accidental entrepreneur, revealing how her military service, unexpected personal hardships, and desire to uplift the veteran community shaped the brand and business she leads today.
She dives deep into:
Her 20-year Army career and time as the voice of Soldier for Life
How a life-changing divorce sparked her entrepreneurial journey
Building a personal brand rooted in storytelling, strategy, and authenticity
The real mental health struggles many veterans face behind the highlight reel
Why she advocates for minority veterans, military spouses, and women in uniform
The power of pageantry and femininity in healing and rediscovery
Her top resources for aspiring veteran entrepreneurs
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Military leadership naturally equips veterans for business — discipline, resilience, and grit are transferable skills.
Entrepreneurship often begins by accident, but growth requires intention, mentorship, and mindset.
Your story is your brand — people connect to authenticity, not just products.
Olivia's business evolved as she grew — learning to target the right client is part of the journey.
The veteran community faces invisible challenges—mental health, food insecurity, childcare barriers—and we must continue to tell those stories.
Representation matters. Supporting minority-led veteran initiatives like VGA helps build an equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem.
📣 Connect with Olivia Nunn:
🌐 https://www.olivianunn.com
📱 Instagram: @the_olivianunn
💼 LinkedIn: Olivia Nunn
🎧 Stay tuned for her new podcast launching Fall 2025!
🫡 Support Veterans Growing America:
Explore our Veteran Business Directory
Shop at our retail locations in Virginia (Stonebridge) and Maryland (Clarksburg Outlets)
Follow us: @veteransgrowingamerica
💻 www.veteransgrowingamerica.com
🎯 Tags (no hashtags):
Veterans, entrepreneurship, personal branding, mental health advocacy, Army veteran, Olivia Nunn, communications strategy, storytelling, women veterans, military transition, minority veteran support, military families, veteran resources, leadership, business coaching, soldier for life, pageantry, event planning, military spouse support, veteran empowerment, coach RL Simmons, Donnell Johns, Veterans Growing America, resilience, advocacy, representation, service after service.