The entrepreneurial spirit runs deep. But for many of us, having a good idea just isn’t enough. Being in business for yourself is tough; it takes perseverance, integrity, and a little bit of luck to succeed. Fortunately for veterans, those first two characteristics have been ingrained in us since the first day of boot camp.
If you think you have what it takes to run your own enterprise, here are three resources many veterans use to break into the business world:
Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a government agency specifically designed to help Americans start or grow a business. From grants to loans, the SBA has a number of products for virtually every situation, including veteran business owners. From creating a business plan to finding your very first customer, the SBA can help you along the way. Some of the services the agency offers include:
- Business advice
- Business mentoring
- Start-up loans and grants
- Permits and licensing
- Marketing
- Human resources
- And training
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
The Barnes Family Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities at Syracuse University is a first-of-its-kind program developed to help disabled veterans start a business. According to its website, EBV leverages “the skills, resources and infrastructure of higher education to offer cutting-edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans with service-connected disabilities.”
Shark Tank
Of course, there is no more glamorous way to jump into the business limelight than through the critically acclaimed TV series, Shark Tank! The producers of the hit show are always looking for veteran business owners to tout their products and services. If the sharks like your idea, they will invest their own time and money to ensure you succeed. Click here to apply to be on the show.
Owning your own business can be an extremely rewarding experience. As an entrepreneur and a veteran, you have many options to help ensure success.
Sources:
https://www.sba.gov/starting-business/how-start-business/business-types/veteran-owned-businesses
