After returning home to Dallas, VR immediately applied her business skills to supporting the business community via WINGS and as a Certified SCORE Mentor. She continually focuses her energy on developing innovative programs for women, veterans and small business owners—turning visions into realities as the Founder and Executive Director for the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center (VWEC), a national initiative that has broken ground in southern Dallas as the first of many VWECs projected for our Nation. .

VR testified in support of the original House Bill to make June 12, Women Veterans Day in Texas. Committed to advocacy for women and small businesses, VR serves on the Advisory Committee for Texas Woman’s University, Center for Women Entrepreneurs and is a fellow of Southern Methodist University, Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity—Inclusive Economy, Dallas Public Voices 2019, the Bush Institute Stand-to-Veteran Leadership Program and recently featured inDallas Innovates: The Future 50. VR serves on the 30 Congressional District Veteran Advisory Committee and Representative Neave's Sexual Violence Task Force.

Ms. Small’s former positions include President and CEO, Small Industries Organizational Success Strategies (SIOSS), Founder and Executive Director for the Brooklyn Executive Business Women’s Association (BEBWA), Director of the Center for Healthy Living at Long Island University and more than ten years as an adjunct professor specializing in psychology and organizational development. VR’s expertise in building strategic alliances and providing innovative technical assistance illustrates a vibrant history of success helping individuals, nonprofits, businesses and associations access the resources they need to succeed.

Most importantly, VR is a U.S. Navy Veteran, proud stepdaughter and sister to U.S. Army Retired Vietnam & Iraq Veterans respectively.