What is the Best Business Methods for engaging Veterans for Entrepreneurship?

2014-05-08T11:26:26-04:00

I'm looking for feedback from my season Veterans that have C-Level, Business Ownership background and others who care to reply with business knowledge.

Please reply with a Serious answer, this is something I will use to Help my business outreach program.

Thanks to Everyone that has served.

Dennis Ford Jr.

Response by SSG Robin Rushlo made May 8 at 2014 1:10 PM

2014-05-08T13:10:15-04:00

#1 Hire other VETS and Disabled VETS. Their are tax credits for this employment also.

#2. Be engaged in the community every chance you can. Sponsor youth teams and other types of community projects.

These twohave taken me a long way

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 10 at 2014 12:37 PM

2014-05-10T12:37:04-04:00

Dennis,

Much depends on the detail of your question. As a veteran, I hope you know the value hiring veterans...beyond taxes credits, ETC.

Response by SPC Michael Crosby made May 12 at 2014 12:24 PM

2014-05-12T12:24:17-04:00

Just like anything else, we need to do a good job of marketing initiatives in forums like this and other social media outlets.

The CPA profession has teamed up with the SBA's SCORE program to provide 5 free hours of financial advice to veterans starting (or thinking about) starting a new business.

Response by Sgt Randy Hill made Jul 27 at 2014 9:53 AM

2014-07-27T09:53:35-04:00

Great Sgt Ford:
From dealing with my own set of veteran's counselors, I get the sense that Veterans outreach personnel are overwhelmed and in need of some assistance. Like everyone else I have complained about all the VA scandals and have determined that complaining alone will not help. I believe their are several market niches for new business available where someone can initiate a private business for career counseling and other assistance that VA by itself cannot handle. In Vermont we are even going to teach farming to interested veterans. I believe the veteran's counselor niche is one way of starting a business. It is needed and at least it is a proposed solution.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Aug 5 at 2014 10:52 AM

2014-08-05T10:52:36-04:00

Help your kids or neighborhood kids put up a lemonade stand or sweet corn stand. You cannot screw up the product unless it is useless or too old. Set ur own hours. Post an honor system sign and secure the money box so people don't take your cash.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Aug 5 at 2014 11:29 AM

2014-08-05T11:29:07-04:00

Veterans need this sort of out reach well before they are even ACAP/TAP eligible. Jumping into entrepreneurship is not something that should happen in short decision time span. I would like to see ACAP allow workshops for aspiring business owners well before the ACAP eligibility dates to allow for proper planning time.

Response by Sgt Adrian Farray made Aug 7 at 2014 4:46 PM

2014-08-07T16:46:47-04:00

Well for me...I wasn't a fan of getting out of the Marines just to go to a job that I don't love and be stuck for another 40 years building someone else's dreams until I retire or die.
I made a decision to change my life and focus on online marketing and empowering people to live the lives they "truly desire".
To build a business online doing what you love and show others how to do the same.
We're all vets here...we've seen and done a lot for this country and now it's time to live a life of freedom that we fought for and deserve.

I'm tired of seeing vets get out and just get stuck at some "job" they don't love and I see it all the time.

What the hell is the point of that?

Life's too short for that shit and Vets aren't getting all the support they need when they get out anyway in some cases.
A lot of vets wish they didn't get out or just jump to another branch because they are stuck.
I simply ask Vets..."What is your Vision and what do you want to do now that you are out?"
If it aligns with my Vision then, Awesome!
Lets lock arms and run with it. We have a platform that is changing lives everyday on a massive scale and we're just getting started.
Other than that, I wish every vet the best in their future endeavors.
Unfortunately, some just say they want success, but the actions behind it say something completely different.
Just like my beloved Marine Corps...I'm only looking for "The Few, The Proud"

Semper Fi

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Aug 7 at 2014 9:03 PM

2014-08-07T21:03:46-04:00

Sgt Dennis,

Check out Habitat for Humanity in your CONUS locale. Get involve and use you leadership know-how to build a house for a qualifying family.

This is good for networking and establishing yourself in the community.

Response by Sgt Wilby Wolfson made Aug 8 at 2014 1:24 PM

2014-08-08T13:24:58-04:00

I would suggest hanging around a courthouse for two reasons.

1.) There are lots of veterans going through the veterans treatment program who have the necessary skills, but need some guidance in how to apply those skills and themselves. You can reach out to these veterans and guide them to a more productive, entrepreneurial path.

2.) many business leaders and owners must visit the courthouse on business, so it is a great place to expand your network.

Response by SSG Waldo Yamada made Aug 18 at 2014 9:20 PM

2014-08-18T21:20:18-04:00

Network Network Network. I feel that getting a lot of it can help along the way. Always give out business cards to them and have a 30 second proposition line whenever they question about your business.

get Support from SBA, VBOC, SBDC and go to the Boots2business course, it is free and another way to network as well.

Contact me if you ever wanna bounce information I wanna open a Veterans Association in Palau for veterans and servicemembers living there.