What are your experiences as a veteran business owner?

LT Peter Gallagher — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 21:47:43 -0500

It would be great to start sharing best practices and networks here. I am starting to do sub - contracting and am learning my way through the steps. Happy to share and work together.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 22 at 2013 9:56 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 21:56:27 -0500

Hi Peter, we have a ton of "Self-Employed" veterans on RallyPoint. Below is a link to where you can find them and start networking. Let us know if you have any further questions! https://www.rallypoint.com/units/444581

Self Employed (Self Employed) | RallyPoint

Join members of Self Employed (Self Employed) on RallyPoint. Subordinate unit of Veterans (Veterans), and adjacent unit to Employers (Employers), Retirement (Retired), Student (Student), Veterans who ...

Response by CPT Scott Fussell made Nov 22 at 2013 11:30 PM

CPT Scott Fussell — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 23:30:21 -0500

Hi Peter, I started a podcast focused on Veterans turned Entrepreneurs / Business Owners (commandyourbusiness.com). I have found veteran business owners and entrepreneurs very willing to talk and help. I would love to help in any way and I know everyone I have interview has been willing to help out other Vets as well.

Response by SFC Larry Rosenthal made Mar 9 at 2014 6:39 PM

SFC Larry Rosenthal — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 18:39:21 -0400

Cereberus, RT 33, Hamilton, NJ. This company repairs cell phones, repairs computers, is available for network and website work. Owner is a Disabled Combat Marine.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2014 10:55 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 10:55:44 -0400

I'm in the process of starting two businesses that recruits and hire veterans and members that are currently serving in the reserves. I have looked on the SBA website and found a lot of resources on veteran owned business. If you have any other resources, please share. Thanks

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made May 14 at 2014 3:58 PM

SGT Craig Northacker — Wed, 14 May 2014 15:58:49 -0400

Yes. It might be good to put some forums in, or maybe to show where to go such as Am Ex small business forums,or Inc, etc.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made May 14 at 2014 4:01 PM

SGT Craig Northacker — Wed, 14 May 2014 16:01:08 -0400

The key to starting a business is making sure there is a market for it. Do NOT rely on government for procurement, grants, etc, as that is a serious flaw unless you already have contracts and all your clearances. I would also limit credit extension-run lean and mean so you don't overextend early on and use up your otherwise good growth on older debts.

Response by Sgt Charles Flesch made Jun 11 at 2014 12:50 PM

Sgt Charles Flesch — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 12:50:01 -0400

I've been in business with 2 other veterans.

Response by Sgt Charles Flesch made Jun 11 at 2014 1:01 PM

Sgt Charles Flesch — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 13:01:17 -0400

Hey Melinda... the deployment dates for verification only go back to 1985. How do we "old" Marines get verification? :)

Response by Cpl John Gustin made Jun 11 at 2014 6:13 PM

Cpl John Gustin — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 18:13:45 -0400

I'M IN KATY TEXAS, WAS IN BUSINESS FOR MYSELF FOR 16 YEARS,OUR WONDERFUL IRS GOT THE BEST OF ME, NOW MANAGER AT A AUTO REPAIR SHOP IN RICHMOND TEXAS,I OWNED AN AUTOREPAIR SHOP MYSELF.....MOS IN CORP WAS 3521 MOTOR T MECHANIC....GO FIGURE. WOULD I HIRE VETS? ABSOLUTLEY

Response by PO3 Daniel Gallardo made Jun 12 at 2014 9:29 AM

PO3 Daniel Gallardo — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 09:29:18 -0400

not into real estate , I'm a courier for FedEx . I live in Frisco and work here . How can I be of service to you ?

Response by Cpl John Gustin made Jun 16 at 2014 5:06 PM

Cpl John Gustin — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 17:06:15 -0400

I can probably help with any ?'s

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Jun 17 at 2014 8:55 PM

SGT Craig Northacker — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 20:55:33 -0400

I am a CPA by background with over 30 years experience - I now run Vets-Help.org.

Response by SGT Brandon Cook made Jun 18 at 2014 1:58 PM

SGT Brandon Cook — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 13:58:24 -0400

I work as an independent contractor for a real estate firm in Kentucky. It was a very easy process to go through to get started. If I can help you in anyway please feel free to contact me. Best of luck.

Response by CPT Ray Doeksen made Jun 19 at 2014 12:20 PM

CPT Ray Doeksen — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 12:20:52 -0400

Yep, me! I'm launching a Kickstarter to promote my furniture design, starting with a Made-in-Chicago (not just Made-in-USA) indoor-outdoor chair, called the USA-OK Chair.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/81100873/the-usa-ok-chair-made-in-usa

So far, so good! Now I'm trying to reach people that aren't in my first circle of contacts, and find support for Veteran-owned businesses. This is a product line that I'm hoping to get GSA-listed.

The USA-OK Chair: Made in USA

USA-OK Chairs and other USA-OK products will be available at www.usaokindustries.com and at select retailers, listed on our web site.

Response by CPT Ray Doeksen made Jun 27 at 2014 12:09 PM

CPT Ray Doeksen — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 12:09:18 -0400

I've done a lot of contracting over the years, as an S-Corp and a sole proprietor. I def. have opinions, and I'm always working on my own projects and happy to help others with theirs.

Response by Cpl Christopher Austin made Jul 2 at 2014 9:10 PM

Cpl Christopher Austin — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 21:10:05 -0400

I don't own a business right now but I do appreciate the importance of networking.

My job consists of networking through a number of different organizations and strategic partnerships. Are you based solely in New York is your plan to offer your services more extensively?

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2014 11:36 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 23:36:24 -0400

Yes, I have a Legal Shield, and Amway Home based business.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2014 2:30 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:30:13 -0400

Getting ready to launch VeteransList.US : http://kck.st/WX4ivl

Veteran Owned Business Search Site

We are building a website to allow anyone to search for Veteran Owned Businesses near them.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2014 2:35 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:35:06 -0400

Get listed on VeteransList.US

Response by CPT Michael L.F. Slavin made Dec 8 at 2016 3:58 PM

CPT Michael L.F. Slavin — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 15:58:28 -0500

You need to read my 7 time award winning book.

I was broke with no money and bankrupt. I wrote a business plan, raised $203,000 in 2 weeks from strangers and was a millionaire 3 1/2 years later.I tell you how to do it in my book, One Million in the Bank: How To Make $1,000,000 With Your Own Business, Even If You Have No Money Or Experience (On Amazon). You really, really should read it. I have also written a Veterans' Guide To One Million in the Bank. It does have good original material, but you must get the main book.

You can do it. If you plan right. All of the 12 stories in my book, people were millionaires in 3-7 years from starting with nothing. Feel free to contact me with questions after or before you get the book, http://www.onemillioninthebank.com.
God bless! Good Luck!