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| 11 Free Programs to Help Veterans Succeed as Entrepreneurs Posted: 31 Oct 2019 08:29 PM PDT Veteran-owned businesses are an important engine of economic growth. New research from Experian has found that veterans tend to own and operate business with a larger employee base, and veteran-owned businesses have better longevity and sustainability than non veteran-owned business. (Experian analyzed and compared the credit data of veteran-owned businesses and non-veteran-owned businesses from 2015 through July 2019.) Nearly 25% of veterans express interest in starting a business. That's the good news. The bad news is entrepreneurship among younger veterans is on the decline. A report by Bunker Labs suggests one way to foster veteran entrepreneurship is through an "ecoystem" approach: "Taking an ecosystem approach to facilitating entrepreneurship requires ensuring that there is relationship density, strong network effects, and connected resources for entrepreneurs." Fortunately there are a growing number of free programs designed to help veteran entrepreneurs tap into ecosystems that can help them thrive. Here are 11 of these programs: 1. Boots to BusinessBoots to Business (B2B) is an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP). The course provides an overview of entrepreneurship and applicable business ownership fundamentals. It begins with a two-day "Introduction to Entrepreneurship" course, and after completing that course, participants may further their study through the B2B Revenue Readiness online course, delivered through a partnership with Mississippi State University. Who qualifies: Active duty service members (including National Guard and Reserve), veterans of all eras, and their spouses. Learn more: Visit SBAvets.force.com. To register, contact the Transition Service Manager (TSM) on your military installation. 2. RebootThis one or two day in-person course is offered off installation and provides participants with an overview of business fundamentals, while introducing techniques for evaluating the feasibility of business concepts. The course covers a range of entrepreneurial business concepts and provides resources for accessing startup capital, contracting opportunities, and more. Who qualifies: Veterans of all eras, including National Guard and Reserve members, and spouses. Learn more: Review the class schedule and register at SBAvets.force.com. 3. VETRNVETRN trains veteran small business owners and family members, free of charge, on how to successfully grow their own small businesses. This executive MBA program is based on the award-winning “StreetWise MBA,” which is taught in over 70 cities across the United States. VETRN has an exclusive contract to teach this management training program to veteran cohorts. Veterans accepted into the program receive a mentor on Day One and have access to a substantial professional resource network. Who qualifies: In order to be accepted into the VETRN program, veteran small business owners must have been in business for one or more years, have at least one employee, and have annual revenues of $75,000 or greater. Learn more: Visit Vetrn.org 4. VetFranOne out of seven franchise businesses are owned and operated by veterans of the U.S. military. VetFran is a strategic initiative of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and includes over 600 IFA member companies that offer financial incentives, education, and support to veterans interested in franchise ownership and/or a career path in franchising. Navy Federal Credit Union is one such partner, providing startup capital for veterans who are buying franchises, as well as additional capital for franchise expansion. Who qualifies: Veterans and their family members can use the extensive toolkit on the VetFran website to explore franchising, learn about discounts, and find franchise opportunities. Learn more: Visit VetFran.org. 5. Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VOBCs)In partnership with the SBA, the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services, such as business training, counseling, and resource partner referrals. Services include pre-business plan workshops, concept assessments, business plan preparation, entrepreneurial training, and mentorships, and more. There are 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as VBOCs. Who qualifies: Transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. Learn more: Visit the VBOC webpage on the SBA website. Other Articles From AllBusiness.com:
6. Veteran Institute for ProcurementThis program provides veteran-owned business executives with comprehensive instruction on how to accelerate their federal government contracting business skills. It offers three programs for veteran-owned small businesses:
Training for the three-day, in-residence training is offered at no cost to participants (other than travel to the event). Who qualifies: Service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and veteran-owned small businesses. Learn more: Veteran Institute for Procurement 7. Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV)The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) offers small business management training programs for post-9/11 veterans and their family members. It includes three programs:
There is no cost to participate in these programs; however, EBV Accelerate participants must cover travel costs to the residency program. Who qualifies: EBV applicants must have separated from service after 2001 and have a service-connected disability. EBV-F is available to family members of qualified veterans, including members of the National Guard and Reserve. EBV Accelerate is available to qualified veteran-owned businesses at least three years old with five or more full-time employees. (See full conditions for each program on website.) Learn more: Learn about all three programs at the EBV website. 8. Bunker LabsBunker Labs, 501(c)(3) non-profit, a national network of veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs dedicated to helping the veteran community start and grow businesses. Programs include:
Who qualifies: Active duty military, veterans, and their families are welcome. CEOcircle is by invitation only, but applicants may submit an “interest submission” online. Learn more: Visit BunkerLabs.org. 9. National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP)National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP) is a comprehensive entrepreneurship training and support program for veterans with a service-connected disability. It includes a self-study portion, eight-day residency program in Oklahoma, Tennessee, or Florida, followed by five months of support and mentorship. All travel, accommodation, meals, materials, and instructional costs are covered by the VEP. Who qualifies: Any veteran with a service-connected disability. Learn more: VEP at Oklahoma State University, VEP at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and VEP at University of Florida. 10. Patriot Boot Camp (PBC)Since 2012, Patriot Boot Camp (PBC), a national 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, has been on a mission to create a community that advances and supports military members, veterans, and military spouses in their mission to become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs leading the new economy. PBC's core program is an intensive three-day technology entrepreneurship boot camp that culminates in a pitch practice and competition. Fun fact: Two alumni have appeared on ABC's “Shark Tank.” Who qualifies: Military members, veterans, and military spouses. Learn more: PatriotBootCamp.com 11. Vets First Verification ProgramThe Vets First Verification Program provides verified firms owned and controlled by veterans and service-disabled veterans the opportunity to compete for VA set asides. VA also trains and certifies Verification Assistance Counselors to provide application assistance to SDVOSBs/VOSBs that want to become verified. Free counseling services are available to veterans free of charge at Procurement Technical Assistance Centers throughout the country. Free webinars and extensive educational resources are also available online. Who qualifies: Veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Learn more: Visit the Vets First Verification Program website. RELATED: New Job Website Helps Veterans Transition to Civilian Life The post 11 Free Programs to Help Veterans Succeed as Entrepreneurs appeared first on AllBusiness.com The post 11 Free Programs to Help Veterans Succeed as Entrepreneurs appeared first on AllBusiness.com. Click for more information about Gerri Detweiler.  |
| Ghosts in the Workplace: True Tales of Haunted Offices Posted: 31 Oct 2019 05:00 AM PDT When we imagine ghosts, we traditionally think of disembodied souls haunting old cemeteries and ruined mansions, but times have changed. Today, more and more offices and places of business have become home to otherworldly spirits. Many people have heard of (or experienced firsthand) strange and inexplicable events in their workplace. Some folks enjoy the air of mystery these tales lend to an otherwise dull workday, but some are uneasy and avoid sticking around alone after hours for fear of an encounter with more than just the janitor. Like their brethren that frequent cemeteries and old houses, office ghosts tend to do their haunting late at night. Apparitions, voices, footsteps, knocks, and doors slamming after most people have left for the day are some of ways these ghosts make their presence known. For people who are bothered by someone looking over their shoulder while they work, having an active office ghost about can be more than a little unnerving. Ghosts in the CapitolAt the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., employees whisper about ghostly apparitions they say roam the stately building’s halls at night. Built in the French Second Empire style and located close to the White House, the nineteenth century edifice exudes an air of mystery. The resident ghosts are particular and seem to prefer the corridors of the building rather than any of the private offices. The offices of one nonprofit business in Washington, D.C., are home to ghostly spirits who love to keep the office workers on edge. One woman, whose office on the third floor was known informally as “The Ghost Room,” reported being alone in the building one night when she began hearing the sound of slamming doors in the outside hall. She opened her office door and looked out, but saw no one. After closing the door she heard another door slam, and then the shuffling of footsteps approaching her door. While she listened, the footsteps grew louder and then softer as they moved down the hallway, followed by the unnerving sound of a female voice laughing. Other Articles From AllBusiness.com:
When the woman recounted her ghostly tale to co-workers the following day, she found that others had similar stories to tell. These included seeing a woman’s face in a window on the third floor, hearing a female voice calling out their name followed by footsteps running down the hall, and finding a coworker’s visiting child talking to an invisible woman in the third-floor conference room. One office worker quit after he kept finding the photos on his wall neatly arranged on the floor every morning when he arrived for work. Spirits who won’t leaveTheories abound as to why some spirits haunt particular office buildings. These include workaholic souls who had an affinity for a particular place, people who may have died suddenly or tragically in the building, or even those that lived (or died) on the same spot long before the modern structure was built. An office manager in a doctor’s office was working late after everyone else had gone home. While filling out some paperwork, she looked up and saw an elderly man standing before her. Annoyed, she asked him how he had gotten in. He answered her with a sinister smile, then walked silently through the front door. Upon investigation she learned that an elderly man had died in the building years before and had a tendency to make regular appearances, especially around the anniversary of his death. Office buildings aren’t the only businesses visited by ghostly spirits. One evening at closing time, a bank guard noticed an elderly woman dressed in black. He called out to the woman and told her the bank was closing and she would have to leave. As he approached her, she smiled and vanished right before his eyes, leaving him standing there dumbfounded. Whoever she was or had been, the ghost had no intention of ever leaving the bank. Ghosts “R” UsEmployees at the former Toys “R” Us store in Sunnyvale, Calif., were more than familiar with “the other side.” People reported seeing bathroom faucets turning themselves on and toys moving down the store aisles at night. Employees of this haunted toy store also reported seeing ghostly, fog-like apparitions and even free-floating Frisbees! Some businesses such as Captain John Stone’s Public House and the Groveland Hotel embrace their haunted history and ghostly residents as a way to attract curious visitors. In these establishments the ghosts not only haunt the place, but have become an integral part of the success of the business. RELATED: Is Your Business Haunted? Probably The post Ghosts in the Workplace: True Tales of Haunted Offices appeared first on AllBusiness.com The post Ghosts in the Workplace: True Tales of Haunted Offices appeared first on AllBusiness.com. Click for more information about Barbara Swenson.  |
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