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Five Ways to Support Veteran-Owned Small Businesses

November 2, 2021
By: Sharita Humphrey

99.9% of veteran-owned businesses are small businessesBusinesses have been struggling as a result of the pandemic and the negative shift of the economy. Most small businesses have had to reframe their operations in these difficult times. And small businesses owned by veterans are no exception.

This week is National Veterans Small Business Week. Don’t you think it’s time to pay back the heroism of our beloved veterans? So what can you do to support these veteran-owned businesses? If this question is near to your heart, here are five ways you can help those who have done so much for us.

1. Purchase Products from Veteran-Owned Establishments

This is simple. Patronizing their businesses is a clear-cut way to extend your support to veteran-owned businesses. Your purchases help boost revenues. You don’t have to spend a lot. Just buy the things you need. What matters is supporting veteran-owned businesses through your purchases. (more…)

America’s SBDCs Are Celebrating National Veterans Small Business Week

November 2, 2020

National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) 2020 takes place November 2 – 6, 2020. As always, our goal is to raise awareness of veteran small business ownership and encourage communities to support their veteran-owned businesses.

This year offers an important opportunity to support our veteran small business community as they adapt, pivot, and face hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) celebrates, connects and empowers service members (including National Guard and Reserve members), veterans, military spouse entrepreneurs and business owners — past, present and future — during National Veterans Small Business Week. America’s SBDCs provide entrepreneurial resources to support transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses at all stages of small business ownership. Share on X No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey or where you are located across the country, you can find transition assistance, entrepreneurial training, government contracting opportunities, disaster assistance, and access to capital right in your local neighborhood. (more…)

Military Spouse Turns Idea Into Fully Baked Business

May 4, 2020

It starts with an idea – that “Aha!” moment when you realize your business concept has the potential to be great. But it takes work, dedication and commitment to make that idea a reality. Entrepreneurs with military experience – whether service members, veterans or military spouses – are uniquely positioned to succeed as small business owners.

Jilan Hall-Johnson is a military spouse who used her experience and skills to turn her bruncherie idea into a fully baked business. After her husband, DeMarco Johnson, was stationed in Billings, Montana as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, she was on the hunt for new employment opportunities in the area. Assistance for military spouse employment in Billings was limited, so she decided she was ready to explore entrepreneurship as the next step in her career.

Jilan knew she had a great idea, and the passion and drive to be a small business owner. But she wasn’t sure how to start her business. She decided to turn to her local Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) at Big Sky Economic Development for guidance and support. Jilan and the Big Sky VBOC immediately began working together to put her business idea on paper. The VBOC helped her develop her business plan, establish a marketing strategy, acquire a business location, find access to capital, and accomplish so much more right in her local community. (more…)

Six Tips For Women In the #VetBiz Workforce

March 2, 2020

BusinesswomanAre you interested in joining the women veteran small business community? There are 2.5 million veteran-owned small businesses in the United States. And get this: 15.2% of these businesses are owned by women.

You have what it takes to become an entrepreneur, and the SBA is ready to support you every step of the way. From specialized training programs for women to general resources for veteran small business owners, SBA and its partner programs have the tools to help you achieve your business goals.

Here are six tips to help you succeed as a woman veteran entrepreneur.

1. Check out a Boots to Business class

Boots to Business is the perfect first step for women service members and veterans (including spouses!) who are interested in transitioning into small business ownership as the next step in their career. This entrepreneurial education and training program will introduce you to the business fundamentals that go into launching a business, including market research, legal considerations, financing, and more. Plus, Boots to Business can help you determine if business ownership is right for you. (more…)

Vegun Nutrition

November 11, 2019
Vegun Nutrition - Maryland SuccessVeterans Success Story: Maryland –

Derrell Lee and John Pace are U.S. Military Veterans who graduated from Harford Community College (HCC) with Associate degrees in Business Administration. Derrell and John had wanted to start their own business for a while, and it was finally time for them to unleash their entrepreneurial spirit.

With a passion for healthy living and fitness, the duo came up with a revolutionary idea with confidence for future success. Before pursuing this venture head-first, they sought advice on how to properly format their business and construct a business plan to enable them to receive the financing needed.

They came to Maryland’s Northern Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and spoke with Ryan Del Gallo for consultation on how to move their business in a positive direction. Ryan answered all of their questions while providing one-on-one counseling, and he also went a step further to assist with developing a marketing strategy, accurate financial projections, a proper loan package, and a well-developed pitch for the business. (more…)