Navy Veteran And Cancer Survivor Launches Beauty Business To Serve San Diego Servicemembers

Whether it’s serving as a military officer or stepping up as a first responder, it takes a rare combination of dedication, resilience and heart to take on these roles. And for many of these individuals, that same drive carries over into life beyond the badge.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to spotlight active-duty military members, veterans and first responders who continue to lead, inspire and give back in meaningful ways across their communities.

As a chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy, Nina Pinidi served across the globe, from Japan and Guantánamo Bay to Algeria and Djibouti. But after a medical retirement and a breast cancer diagnosis just eight months later, she found herself in unfamiliar territory: life outside the uniform.

“I was really in a dark time,” Pinidi told NBC 7 San Diego. “It’s like all of a sudden you’re not needed anymore.”

That realization sparked her next chapter. Pinidi launched Solime Royal Hair, a small business that offers hard-to-find beauty products to fellow service members at San Diego-area pop-ups. With help from the San Diego Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and a trusted mentor, she learned the ins and outs of entrepreneurship, often while juggling business school and cancer treatment.

Now in remission, Pinidi remains committed to collaboration and community. She works with over 20 brands to fuel local business growth through her pop-up tables.

“I find value in working together … because in the military, that's the lifestyle,” she said. “There's never anything that's done alone.”

Want to learn more? Visit Solime Royal Hair's website or read Nina Pinidi’s full interview on NBC 7 San Diego.

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