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In the course of serving our nation, veterans learn valuable skills and self-discipline that they can carry through to their post-military careers. One professional path that some veterans take is entrepreneurship. According to the most recent U.S. Census data, in 2012, the number of veteran-owned businesses was 2,521,682 (9 percent of all companies in the U.S.). Those businesses employed over 5 million people.
What Traits Do Veterans Have That Make Them Successful Business Owners?
Some of the characteristics that many veterans and successful entrepreneurs have in common include:
- Leadership skills
- Proficiency in assessing risks
- The drive to rise to the challenge
- Adept at strategic thinking
- Ability to adapt to the situation at hand
Veterans’ military training and experiences in their tour of duty lay a foundation of responsibility and accountability. That can be a tremendous advantage when navigating the challenge of entrepreneurship.
Of course, starting and growing a business also requires additional learning. Fortunately, some excellent resources exist to help veterans as they embrace their dreams of business ownership.
Business Startup Resources for Veterans
Veterans Fast Launch Initiative by SCORE
The SCORE Foundation and several major corporations have partnered to offer this program. It provides free software and services in combination with SCORE's mentoring program to help veterans and their families to start and succeed as small business owners.
Boots 2 Business Reboot
This entrepreneurship training program through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps veterans and their spouses learn what’s involved in starting a business. Classes are held throughout the U.S. and are available online, as well.
Office of Veterans Business Development
The OVBD facilitates the use of all SBA programs by veterans, active military personnel, and their spouses and children. Services and resources include funding for veteran-owned small businesses, entrepreneurship training programs, and veteran contracting.
Veteran Entrepreneur Portal
VEP provides veterans with direct online access to resources that can help guide them through the steps of starting and running a business.
Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship
V-WISE helps women veterans and female military partners learn the skills necessary to develop their ideas and start their businesses. The training program involves an online course, a three-day training event, and ongoing mentoring and training.
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities
The EBV program helps post-9/11 veterans with service-related disabilities develop their business knowledge and entrepreneurial skills. Since it was founded at Syracuse University in 2007, it has expanded to other universities throughout America, too.
In addition to these resources, veterans can also gain valuable guidance and insight by requesting a SCORE mentor. SCORE volunteers understand the many challenges facing small business owners, and they have experience in all aspects of starting and growing a company. Mentoring provided by SCORE is free and available through in-person sessions, email, phone calls, and Skype and Google Hangout video meetings. Contact SCORE for more information about mentoring and the other educational opportunities it provides.
Since 1964, SCORE “Mentors to America’s Small Business” has helped more than 10 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through mentoring and business workshops. More than 11,000 volunteer business mentors in over 320 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneur education dedicated to the formation, growth, and success of small businesses. For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800-634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Visit SCORE at www.score.org.
