Transition Mission: Navy Veteran Starts Military Care Package Company

My name is Chelsea Mandello. I am the founder and CEO of Troopster Military Care Packages. We send care packages to deployed troops around the world. I served in the United States Navy for seven years and I was constantly deployed. And by the time we received something like a care package, it really was Christmas at sea. I had received this big box for my mom. I tore it open, I threw my hands inside, but I was immediately heartbroken because everything in it had gone bad. And I learned that I wasn't the only service member who was going through that. So I started Troopster because I wanted there to be an easier option to be able to send care packages to their loved ones that wouldn't be crushed or broken or go bad. After that deployment, I was still serving active duty and I started looking into how I could start this business. I started going to the Small Business Administration website. I went to the Boots of Business classes, connected with the Veterans Business Outreach Center. I just tried to find every possible resource that could help me grow this company.

Chelsea had already done so much of her own research. She came in and had a complete business plan. You don't get that very often. So we really want to engage with our veteran population, military spouses, active duty, Reserve, National Guard and their families as early as possible to offer business advising, mentoring, access to training, access to capital, ongoing marketing support. And through that, we're able to help them to not only launch their business, but also to grow it, which is exactly what you should be doing.

I love recommending the VBOC to other veterans because while you don't have to go directly to them with a full business plan the way I did, you can go to them with any sort of business idea. And no matter how small or big your idea is, no matter what stage you're in, they'll help you identify the next steps that you need to take. And without that mentorship, I don't think we would have come this far this fast. It's amazing thinking that just a few years ago I was filling all of these boxes by hand in my house, and now we're using robots to help fill care packages. It's mind blowing. One of the ways in which Troopster is able to do everything that we do is thanks to our partners and our sponsors who believe in our mission. Like the robotics software company, which is fully automating the care package system to be able to pack and fill boxes for troops in a more timely manner. We also work with local businesses and organizations who want to sponsor community volunteer pack events where we can have volunteers come to our location. We can hold them out in the community, but we allow the opportunity for volunteers to come out and help make care packages for troops who are deployed all around the world. And then we're going to make sure that those boxes get out and overseas. Troopster When I started Troopster, I did try to do a lot of this by myself. But when I finally engaged in Small Business Administration's resources and I reached out to the VBOC and to the Women's Business center and boots to business classes. And when I started engaging with local businesses, all of those resources really helped me to set on the right path. So if you're starting a business or you have an idea for one, you don't have to do it alone. And you're not alone. You have this great community of the SBA that wants to help you. They are here for you, and all you have to do is reach out.