Our military community not only holds the warfighter spirit, but also a creative one.
We are celebrating veterans who have pursued unique and creative jobs or careers beyond military service. We connected with veterans’ stories to share what inspired them, how their military experience shaped their path, and the fun or surprising moments along the way. The talents and journeys of these veterans’ interests do not fully follow the conventional path of their military jobs, and yet, they represent so many out there pursing their creative interests and flipping their aspirations into reality.
We see it everywhere in musician bands, entrepreneurship, the arts, authorship, and more. In fact, it can be very therapeutic. Veterans who are interested in expanding their creative talent into part-time or full-time careers should read further for inspiration.
In the following interviews, we gain insights with few veterans, Mary Stevenson, Darryl Williams Jr., and Shirley Baez, who share what it has been like for them and why they continue to do what they do today.
Kim O’Brien (Military.com): What inspired you to follow your passion?
Mary Stevenson: I started my Mary Kay business while I was on active duty to have a tax write-off. I stayed in the “Mary Kay” bubble because of the culture. When I retired, I was hired into a NATO Civilian job so my bubble wasn’t an avenue right away. When I moved back to the United States, I went into the contractor workforce but found something was missing, so I rejoined the Mary Kay workforce and worked my way up to the top 1% of the company as a Sales Director. In this position, I am leading a team of Men and Women who want to make a change for their family. My experience in the military developed the leadership muscle and my passion allowed me to help my teammates dream and watching them meet/exceed their goals is exciting to me.
Darryl Williams Jr.: People. Being able to travel and experience the interplay of people’s lives and how, in some way, we’re all connected to each other, inspired me to want to pursue storytelling in many of its forms.
Shirley Baez: For me, following my passion began with a deep realization that I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life waiting for permission to live freely. After years of service, structure, and sacrifice, I craved a different kind of mission, one that allowed me to lead on my own terms, create options for my life, and experience the kind of freedom that goes beyond a paycheck. That’s what led me to entrepreneurship. But it’s more than just about building a business; it was about building impact in others. My heart has always been with people, especially veterans navigating the transition into civilian life and high-achieving women striving to lead with confidence. Both groups carry incredible strength, yet often lack the holistic support, mentorship, and spaces to grow that reflect who they truly are and I wanted to change that. Through my work, I’ve turned my passion into purpose, helping others find their voice, rediscover their worth, and step into leadership that feels both powerful and authentic. That’s what fuels me every single day: the moment someone realizes they’re capable of more than they ever imagined. Because at the end of the day, my mission is to help others thrive.
Military.com: Who or what has been your biggest supporter or motivator along the way?
Mary: My family. I met a goal of taking my children, their spouses, and children on a weekend cruise to the Bahamas using my Mary Kay profits. I was so proud to have met that goal and to show my family that dreams come true when you work.
Darryl: I’ve been blessed. I’ve always had the support of family, friends and even strangers. But it comes with weight. I often feel I owe their faith and measure my progress in that repayment.
Shirley: My biggest supporters have always been my family. They’ve stood by me through every chapter. From my military career to every “crazy idea” that came after, including taking the road less traveled into entrepreneurship. Their belief in me has been my anchor. I’ve also found incredible strength and encouragement within the veteran community. Many veterans are now blazing their own trails as entrepreneurs, and their camaraderie, mentorship, and willingness to lend a hand have inspired me to keep pushing forward. And then there are the powerful women I’ve met through various business and leadership networks. These women have become my tribe, sharing wisdom, resources, and encouragement as we all rise together. Each of these communities: my family, my fellow veterans, and my sisterhood of entrepreneurs, has played a pivotal role in my journey. They’ve become not just supporters, but true extensions of my heart.
Military.com: Do you see your work as a way to represent veterans in a new light?
Mary: Yes. The Mary Kay opportunity allows you to continue to use your leadership and team building skills.
Darryl: Not in a new light but as a reminder. People put on the uniform and, eventually, people take off the uniform. Those same people are creatives, scholars, businessmen and dreamers. Through storytelling, I can not only remind an audience but maybe even a veteran who they are.
Shirley: Absolutely. Part of my work is about helping veterans see themselves beyond the traditional mold. For so long, the transition narrative has centered on moving from the military straight into a corporate role, but there’s so much more available to us than that. I want veterans to know that the same skills that made them successful in uniform such as leadership, adaptability, problem-solving, and resilience, are the very tools that can fuel their own dreams and passions. Through my work, I aim to shift the perspective: to show that veterans aren’t limited by their service, they’re defined by the strength, creativity, and discipline it gave them. We have everything it takes to build businesses, create art, write stories, and innovate in ways that change the world. For me, this is about representation with purpose. It’s about showing the world that veterans are not just warriors, we are visionaries, builders, and creators. I want every veteran to see that they already have everything within them to craft a life that’s fulfilling, meaningful, and entirely their own.
Military.com: What challenges did you face in your industry, and how did you overcome them?
Mary: Developing the Entrepreneur mindset. It is so different from what we were exposed to in the military. I had to change my military mindset to that of an entrepreneur but keeping the leadership, team building, and “can do” attitude on a new journey.
Darryl: Film, like the military, gives you an identity. But unlike serving, sometimes those identities aren’t empowering. It’s something I’m still striving to overcome. But after taking some time to go back to school and learn how to become a better screenwriter, I’m confident that I will. And I’m excited for that.
Shirley: One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been learning how to translate my military experience into the language of business. In the military, we’re trained to lead, adapt, work and take accomplishments as a team and execute, but in entrepreneurship, you also have to brand yourself, market your value, speak about yourself and build systems from the ground up. That required me to shift my mindset from being mission-driven for others to becoming mission-driven for myself. Another challenge has been navigating an industry where women, especially women veterans, are still underrepresented in leadership and entrepreneurship spaces. At times, I’ve had to fight through doubt, lack of representation, and the uncertainty that comes with building something from scratch. What helped me overcome these challenges has been leaning into continuous learning, surrounding myself with mentors, and remembering that resilience is my greatest asset. I’ve learned to treat every setback as data, not defeat. I’m still evolving, still growing, but every obstacle has strengthened my voice, my purpose, and my commitment to create spaces where other veterans and women can thrive with confidence.
Military.com: If you could sum up your journey in one word or phrase, what would it be?
Mary: Resilient
Darryl: Strive
Shirley: Resilient Reinvention
These stories shared by Mary, Darryl, and Shirley remind us how veterans show courage, resilience, and empowerment. As more veterans step into different spaces, they demonstrate further the meaning of service and having heart. So, if you are an entrepreneur or innovator, or someone looking to do something inspiring, find your motivation and go for it.
For more inspiration, check out Veteran Job Seekers Can Be Successful in a Creative Field and Creative Transitions: Military Veterans in Creative Careers Podcast.
