(DC Bureau) -- During this year's National Invest in Veterans Week, some veteran entrepreneurs were honored in Washington, D.C. after completing a coaching program. "When I was in the Army, I had a hard time finding a hairstylist with moving around all time," Crystal Harrell, who served in the Army for six years, told Nexstar's DC Bureau reporter Kristen Eskow. That experience, Harrell said, encouraged her to go to cosmetology school. A year ago, she started her business, P.S. Hair Alchemy, selling products for curly hair. "I have four kids," Harrell explained. "We all have different curls, and I just wanted a line that I could just use one line, one brand, and not have a shelf full of products." Starting a business was also a passion project for Coast Guard veteran Andrew Lynam. He and his partner are both veterans, he said, and their business, Custom Jacks, creates 3D American flag artwork. "We started in my partner's garage," Lynam said. "And we went from one CNC machine doing 10 to 15 flags a month to now we have four CNC machines, and we do anywhere from 300 to 400 flags a month." According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2021, veterans owned roughly 5% of businesses nationwide. But some are trying to get that percentage to grow and help veteran entrepreneurs reach success. "For us to be able to bring veterans together specifically, they're able to find community and find a place where they can share and feel like it's a safe place to share some of the challenges," said Corinne Goble, CEO of the Association of Women's Business Centers. Goble's organization has partnered with TikTok to provide coaching to veterans whose businesses use the social media platform. "We learned a lot about just positioning and product placement and finding our customer," Lynam said. These veterans encourage others who have served to not be afraid to become their own boss. "Definitely if you have it in your mind, if you have an entrepreneur spirit, to just jump out there and do it," Harrell said. "I feel like there's so many programs like this one that will help you get through the door." "Life is short," Lynam said. "Follow your dreams. Do what you want to do for you." You can find more details, including how to apply, here. The program is hoping to train and graduate 100 veterans.