Celebrating Veterans On Whatnot
Today 11/11 marks an important day in American history as we honor our Veterans who have bravely served the country. We’re proud to shine a spotlight on a few of the exceptional Veteran business owners who are making a meaningful impact within the Whatnot community.
Eugene, an Air Force Veteran, discovered his passion for selling at a young age, starting by reselling his family’s collections at flea markets when he was just seven. After his military service, he founded MayaMila Jewelry in 2017 and later partnered with Diego, who brought an innovative lens to the business. Together, they built MayaMila on core values of integrity, loyalty, and service—traits learned in the military. Selling on Whatnot has become an exciting challenge, letting them engage dynamically with the community. Eugene says they lead their shows with pride, resilience, and a commitment to making high-end jewelry accessible to everyone, regardless of budget. His advice to future veteran business owners? Keep trying, build relationships, and remember that success is about contributing to something bigger and forging lasting connections within the Whatnot community.
“Not every show will be your greatest show ever, but as long as you stay consistent and keep a great attitude, the community will find its way to you and the value you bring.”
Miguel, also known as "Mikey," is a United States Marine Corps veteran who spent 15 years working on military aircraft. A few years ago, he discovered a love for playing, trading, and collecting Magic: The Gathering cards. Encouraged by a friend, he became a seller on Whatnot, despite not having a local game store or distributor. As Mikey nears his retirement from active duty, he’s excited to turn his passion into a full-time trading card business. He takes pride in being a veteran entrepreneur, acknowledging the effort required and the value of his military experiences. Mikey advises fellow veterans to balance their commitments and never give up, emphasizing that discipline and resilience from service can provide an edge in entrepreneurship.
“Never give up! It can be very difficult, but if you continue to put your left foot in front of your right foot, you’ll continue marching forward.”
Nicole, known as veteranmama79, is a proud veteran and wife who has been out of the Army for 23 years. Married for 25 years and a mother of three, she treasures family time and exploring new places. Nicole began selling on Whatnot to offload her husband's collection of Masters of the Universe figures and found herself immersed in online selling. Today, she sells plush toys, Sanrio items, and other collectibles. For Nicole, being a veteran business owner means staying true to the values that have guided her through both military service and motherhood. Her journey on Whatnot is about balancing family, business, and community connections.
“Start off small and don’t quit. Keep going. Stay strong.”
Joseph, the Marine Corps veteran behind legacycollectionllc, started collecting Pokémon cards in the '90s alongside his brother. After the events of 9/11, he enlisted and served 20 years, experiencing multiple deployments. In December 2021, health concerns led him to retire and launch Legacy Collection LLC. By selling his personal collection, he laid the foundation for his business, which he later expanded full-time on Whatnot. Joseph is passionate about providing an excellent experience for Pokémon enthusiasts, encouraging veterans to stay authentic, leverage available resources, and focus on building customer relationships that go beyond transactions. For him, leadership and high standards are at the heart of his work.
“Time + Effort = Success! Put the time in, put the effort in, and success will come.”
John, a Marine Corps veteran, is the owner of bearforktradingpost, specializing in high-quality pocket knives. After serving for five years and earning a computer technology degree, he turned to e-commerce, launching his business with live auctions on Whatnot in April 2024. Through Whatnot, John has built a community of collectors, sharing the stories behind each knife and creating meaningful connections. He believes being a veteran business owner means upholding values of resilience, responsibility, and community service. John’s advice to fellow veterans: use the discipline, adaptability, and focus learned in the military, seek support when needed, and embrace the journey of building a lasting business.
“Lean into the skills and values you learned during your service. The discipline, focus, and adaptability gained in the military are strengths that will carry you through the challenges of starting and growing a business.”
At Whatnot, we are honored to support Veteran sellers on Whatnot as they grow their businesses and contribute to the community. Join us in celebrating Veterans by following, bookmarking, and supporting their businesses today and all year round. 💛
