Older veterans starting businesses – Get help here
January 31, 2008 by Jean Murray
Which of the following is true? Veterans are:
- More likely than others to start businesses
- More successful in their businesses than others
- Working in home-based businesses.
The answer, of course, is “All of the Above.” If you’re a baby boomer veteran considering starting a small business, there are many resources to help you. The Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999 was enacted to help veterans start and succeed in businesses. This legislation established an office of Veterans Business Development within the SBA. The mission of this office is to:
“maximize the availability, applicability and usability of all administration small business programs for Veterans, Service-Disabled Veterans, Reserve Component Members, and their Dependents or Survivors.”
Through this office you can get a Patriot Express Pilot Loan or receive help from one of the Veterans Business Outreach Centers.
You have the experience and the education and the will to succeed. Life is short. What are you waiting for?
Jean,
You’re absolutely correct . . . Veterans are almost TWICE as likely to own their own business than a non-veteran. You might be amazed to know that there are over 3 million Veteran-OWned Businesses in the United States. That’s right . . . over 1 out of 7 small businesses are owned by a Veteran!!!
Why is that? How can that be?
Simple.
The military teaches leadership, teamwork, integrity, resolve and ingenuity. These also happen to be the most important ingredients for success in running a business.
These intangibles constitute what makes corporate America want to hire veterans as emplyees; and the same essence of what makes corporate America want veterans as suppliers.
We’re NaVOBA; the National Veteran-Owned Business Association and we represent the Veteran-Owned Businesses by Promoting the “BUY VETERAN” Advantage to corporate America.
Hooaah!!!
Thanks! I am glad there’s an organization NaVOBA and that you took the time to connect with us.
Dear Sir,
I am a retired Lieutenant Colonel and would like to start a business by obtaining government contracts in Iraq. I have 3 tours in Iraq including one combat and two contractor tours. I know what I am doing but I need help getting from ‘here to there.’ I identified at least one government contract that I could do. I did my homework and researched ‘how to start a small business’ via the SBA. However, I have only months not years to secure a contract in Iraq and I need help to put the rounds in the ‘bullseye.’ Can you help?
Respectfully,
Christopher Dionne
I can help you put your business together quickly, and I would be happy to do that, but you also need help from someone who is experienced with getting government contracts. It is a tricky process.
Contact your nearest SCORE office (www.score.org), to see if they have someone who is experienced with getting government contracts. Be persistent -keep going up the “chain of command” until you find someone with the expertise you need. I’ll do some checking, too, to see what I can find out.