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 34 - Patricia and Lily | Veterans America Podcast
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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