Wilmington ranked among top places for veterans turned entrepreneurs

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The USAA and the US Chamber of Commerce has ranked Wilmington as one of the best places in the country for veterans seeking entrepreneurship opportunities.

“I served here in the east coast starting in Camp Lejune,” said Marine veteran David Nilson. “From there I jumped to Okinawa Japan, then I came back traveled up the east coast. I deployed back to back to Iraq.”

In 2013, Nilson traded in his dress blues for blue jeans.

“It’s definitely a good transition. I’m trying to start up a new chapter in my life,” he said.

Nilson is now a Cape Fear Community College sociology student, but for 13 years of his life he was told what to do and when to do it so figuring out how to be just a regular college student had its challenges.

“In the military we had a plan and stuck to it and now it’s kind of different environment, but we still have the same mindset to try to better ourselves,” Nilson said.

His partner is also on that path, Sonny. The pair met while he was a Marine, but lost contact. A few years later, they reunited as civilians.

“Coming to school and kind of brightening my day, and brighten I think a lot of people’s day, other veterans here in the veterans center their day kind of look forward to seeing Sonny,” Nilson said.

Interim Director of Financial and Veterans Services Rachel Cavenaugh says she tries to help vets any way possible.

“This is their safe zone where they can come to the school and we help them get acclimated and not feel like their lost,” Cavenaugh said.

Nilson says he wants to help other vets in the Cape Fear.

“When I see new faces and new people, I’m not afraid to put my hand out or speak up for them when they come in here looking kind of lost like Bambi coming into the forest,” he said. “I tried to guide them in the right direction here.”

Asheville was the top place for veteran entrepreneurs followed by Sarasota and West Palm Beach.