AWBC Celebrates Summer 2026 SOAR TikTok Shop Accelerator Graduates

TikTok-funded program provides veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs with eight weeks of business and TikTok Shop training at no cost

August 13, 2026 — The Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) and VeteranStartup.org are proud to celebrate the Summer 2026 graduates of the SOAR TikTok Shop Accelerator, an eight-week program providing veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs with business education and hands-on TikTok Shop training at no cost, made possible through funding from TikTok.

Throughout the eight-week accelerator, participants strengthened their business foundations while learning how to leverage TikTok Shop to reach customers, create content, sell products, and grow their businesses. The program combines Business Foundations training, focused on the core skills needed to build and operate a business, with TikTok Growth Lab training, which provides practical education on developing a seller strategy and building a successful presence on TikTok Shop.

Participants explored topics including branding and customer strategy, content creation, live selling, growth planning, operations, capital, customer experience, and TikTok Shop selling.

The Summer 2026 cohort was led by experienced entrepreneurs, business coaches, and Shop trainers Kayla Burch, Moniek James, Tiara Abu, and Tiffany Lewis-Jones, who brought practical expertise and firsthand experience to the program.

Meet Our Summer 2026 Graduates

This summer’s cohort includes seven veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs who dedicated eight weeks to building their businesses and expanding their e-commerce skills:

• Breonna Vereen — Imani Cowrie
• Clarece Weinraub — Jovial Photobooth and Events
• Jonathan Thompson — Alpha VI Battalion
• Laticia Jacobs — Travel Concierge Partners
• Matt Butler + Kelvin Sealy — Tally Tumbler
• Sarah Kurachek — Kinder Cutlery
• Tariana Nguyen — Team Rubicon

For participants, SOAR provided an opportunity to learn not only the technical aspects of TikTok Shop, but also how the platform can fit into a broader business growth strategy.

“The SOAR Program has been a great experience for Tally Tumbler. The cohort gave me a better understanding of TikTok Shop and how to use the platform to grow our brand, reach new customers, and create content that drives sales. I especially appreciated learning alongside other business owners, sharing ideas, and gaining practical strategies that I can put into action right away. The program has given me more confidence and a clearer direction for growing Tally Tumbler on TikTok Shop.”

— Kelvin Sealy, Co-Founder, Tally Tumbler

For other entrepreneurs, the program provided an opportunity to shift the way they think about social media and its potential role in generating revenue.

“The SOAR Program exceeded every expectation I had. I enrolled expecting to learn the technical side of TikTok Shop, but I walked away with so much more. The combination of mindset coaching, hands-on training, and practical strategy gave me the confidence to see TikTok as more than a social platform. I now see it as a powerful revenue driver and a way to build meaningful affiliate partnerships.”

— Breonna Vereen, Founder, Imani Cowrie

Investing in Veteran and Military Spouse Entrepreneurs

AWBC and VeteranStartup.org extend their appreciation to TikTok for funding the SOAR TikTok Shop Accelerator and making the program available at no cost to participating veterans and military spouses.

Through TikTok’s support, participants gain access to eight weeks of business education, TikTok Shop training, and guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and e-commerce professionals. The partnership helps veteran and military spouse business owners explore new ways to reach customers, sell their products, and grow their businesses in the digital economy.

Applications Open for the Next SOAR Cohort

The next SOAR TikTok Shop Accelerator cohort launches in October 2026, and applications are now open.

The program is designed for veteran- or military spouse-owned businesses with a product to sell and a willingness to join TikTok Shop. The eight-week program is provided at no cost to participants through TikTok’s support.

Learn more about SOAR: VeteranStartup.org/TikTok

Apply for the October cohort: VeteranStartup.org/Apply