Success Stories
Real Stories. Real Impact.
Veterans, service members, and military spouses across Pennsylvania are building businesses, creating jobs, and shaping their communities—and the VBOC at Penn State is proud to support them every step of the way. These stories highlight the determination, innovation, and growth made possible through personalized guidance, practical training, and connections to our statewide entrepreneurial network.
Joy Tac LLC, Erin Godfrey
U.S. Marine Corps
After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Erin Godfrey turned her attention to entrepreneurship while studying at Penn State Harrisburg.
She founded Joy Tac LLC to develop safer, more responsive firearm holsters—drawing on her military experience to design a solution with real-world impact.
Learn more about Erin’s journey through our entrepreneurial ecosystem, where she accessed mentorship, prototyping support, and $15,000 in startup funding to bring her idea to life.
Keystone Infrastructure Group, Tysha Barksdale
U.S. Navy
After 12.5 years of active-duty service in the U.S. Navy, Tysha Barksdale turned her focus to entrepreneurship and building a strong foundation for her next chapter.
She founded Keystone Infrastructure Group, LLC, specializing in residential trash and recycling container distribution for municipalities across Pennsylvania.
Learn more about Tysha’s journey and how VBOC training, one-on-one coaching, and connections to a statewide network of entrepreneurial resources helped her strengthen her business plan, explore funding opportunities, and build a clear path for growth.
Questions on how to get started?
Veterans Crisis Line
Are you a veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Contact the Veterans Crisis Line.