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    Soldier Capitalizes on Career and Educational Readiness Resources, Launches Plant-Based Soap Business

    Soldier Capitalizes on Career and Educational Readiness Resources, Launches Plant-Based Soap Business

    Courtesy Photo | Sgt. 1st Class. Angela Denise learned about entrepreneurial resources through...... read more read more

    UNITED STATES

    07.20.2021

    Story by Christine Aurigema 

    Army Recovery Care Program

    ARLINGTON, Va. — Sgt. 1st Class Angela Denise is a mother, wife, mentor, 19-year Army veteran, breast cancer survivor, and in her words, “truly blessed.” She’s also an entrepreneur who launched a plant-based soap business after taking full advantage of the Career and Educational Readiness program at the Fort Belvoir Soldier Recovery Unit, Virginia.

    Ever since elementary school, Denise has wanted to become a business owner. She said that when she entered the SRU in the fall of 2019, the team surrounded her and provided assistance as she embarked on her journey. They helped her gather the tools and confidence she needed.

    “I was chasing my passion, but they allowed me to step into my purpose,” she said.

    It all began when Denise solved a problem. During her cancer treatment, the soap she used wasn’t moisturizing her skin, so she blended oils and created one that worked. She began making it for others and they encouraged her to start a business. It was “not on her radar” because she was still in chemotherapy.

    The idea resurfaced when James Coleman III, transition coordinator at the Fort Belvoir SRU, sent her an email about the Boots to Business Revenue Readiness certification. She realized it was time and asked him how to get started.

    Since she replied to that email, she has obtained the Small, Women and Minority-Owned and Boots to Business Revenue Readiness certifications. In addition, the Small Business Administration provided a mentor who helped her create a plan and gave her advice and resource information, Coleman said.

    Denise hasn’t slowed down or stopped learning. She became a certified yoga teacher and is pursuing health and wellness credentials, Coleman said.

    And that childhood goal of becoming a business owner? Denise reached it. She launched Blended by Her, which provides all-natural, plant-based soaps. At present, she is expanding the business to include yoga, meditation, candles, scrubs, body oils and butters.

    Coleman said that there is a wealth of resources and information available to Soldiers.

    “What I like best is we have resources to provide to them, no matter what their passion is,” he said.

    For Denise, the best part about the CER program is that she told them what she wanted to do and they showed her a path forward. She encourages Soldiers who are considering working with CER to find something that speaks to them and get started.

    “If you don’t begin, you don’t know what door is going to open for you,” she said. “You have to take the first step.”

    The Army Warrior Care and Transition Program is now the Army Recovery Care Program. Although the name has changed, the mission remains the same: to provide quality complex case management to the Army's wounded, ill and injured Soldiers.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.20.2021
    Date Posted: 07.20.2021 12:53
    Story ID: 401271
    Location: US
    Hometown: PHILADELPHIA, PA, US

    Web Views: 389
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN