Posted on Dec 3, 2014
Why don't we hear more about entrepreneurship as an option after service?
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Transition is obviously a hot topic here on RallyPoint. What will you do after you serve? Most transition assistance programs are focused on finding our service members jobs working for someone else. Why do they rarely focus on opportunities in entrepreneurship and business ownership? I believe our veterans are perfectly suited for life as an entrepreneur.
According to a recent study, veterans own more than 2.4 million U.S. businesses. That equals about nine percent of all American firms. They employ 5.8 million employees and have $210 billion in annual payroll. How many of you who have transitioned out of the military have heard those numbers? There are quite a few business owners and entrepreneurs active on RallyPoint (which was founded by veterans Yinon Weiss and Aaron Kletzing).
I had a chance to interview Aaron Kletzing about his experience transitioning from the Army to entrepreneurship. He discussed how his experiences in Iraq helped translate to the founding and running of RallyPoint. The complex and changing environment he faced in Iraq is similar to the complexities and challenges of running a business. Aaron had this advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, "Find a close knit group of people - people that you can bounce ideas off of and you can really trust their advice. Making sure that you have a good crew behind you and surrounding you is really important." You can hear the full interview here:
(http://commandyourbusiness.com/2013/12/03/episode-18-aaron-kletzing-rallypoint-co-founder-former-army-officer/)
So my question is: Do you think more should be done to educate transitioning veterans on entrepreneurship?
About the Author:
Scott Fussell is the Founder of CommandYourBusiness.com, which is focused on entrepreneurship in the military and veteran community. Every week, Scott interviews a new entrepreneur from the military community.
Scott is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and served as an officer in Army from 1994-1999.
According to a recent study, veterans own more than 2.4 million U.S. businesses. That equals about nine percent of all American firms. They employ 5.8 million employees and have $210 billion in annual payroll. How many of you who have transitioned out of the military have heard those numbers? There are quite a few business owners and entrepreneurs active on RallyPoint (which was founded by veterans Yinon Weiss and Aaron Kletzing).
I had a chance to interview Aaron Kletzing about his experience transitioning from the Army to entrepreneurship. He discussed how his experiences in Iraq helped translate to the founding and running of RallyPoint. The complex and changing environment he faced in Iraq is similar to the complexities and challenges of running a business. Aaron had this advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, "Find a close knit group of people - people that you can bounce ideas off of and you can really trust their advice. Making sure that you have a good crew behind you and surrounding you is really important." You can hear the full interview here:
(http://commandyourbusiness.com/2013/12/03/episode-18-aaron-kletzing-rallypoint-co-founder-former-army-officer/)
So my question is: Do you think more should be done to educate transitioning veterans on entrepreneurship?
About the Author:
Scott Fussell is the Founder of CommandYourBusiness.com, which is focused on entrepreneurship in the military and veteran community. Every week, Scott interviews a new entrepreneur from the military community.
Scott is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and served as an officer in Army from 1994-1999.
Posted in these groups: 
Transition
Entrepreneurship
Transition Entrepreneurship
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 17
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CPT Scott Fussell, absolutely more should be done to educate transitioning veterans on entrepreneurship! In fact, I feel that more should be done to educate transitioning veterans in general on the many opportunities that are available to them. I think military leadership skills can translate nicely into business leadership. Some of the things that military leaders are typically good at are organizing and focusing a team to accomplish specific goals, developing subordinates into self-sufficient leaders of their own, and managing chaos in a changing environment. One thing that is probably different for veteran entrepreneurs is developing the team and recruiting new members. Usually in the military you need to work with who you have on the team with few opportunities to gain specific individuals. As an entrepreneur, I can see the importance of building that core close knit group of people that you will center your endeavours around. Sounds just like individual and collective training to me!
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CPT Scott Fussell
CPT (Join to see) , I could not agree more on the need for education across the board for transitioning veterans. I talk to veterans all the time who are not aware of the multitude of programs and resources available to them.
RallyPoint is a prime example of what veterans are capable of as entrepreneurs. CPT Aaron Kletzing and LTC Yinon Weiss have done an incredible job of taking those skills from the military, combining them with an idea, and building it into something amazing.
RallyPoint is a prime example of what veterans are capable of as entrepreneurs. CPT Aaron Kletzing and LTC Yinon Weiss have done an incredible job of taking those skills from the military, combining them with an idea, and building it into something amazing.
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Capt Brandon Charters Thanks for mentioning me and bringing me into the fold.
You would be shocked/disappointed in how companies offering entrepreneurship opportunities are treated by Family Readiness Centers/TAP Offices. We fully get it, that Veterans may have been burned in the past by fly-by-night companies but, we have a great entrepreneurship program here at Farmers that we struggle to get the word out because of how we're treated.
Maybe this can be a great place for us to turn that trend around. The minute we start talking entrepreneurship, Vet Reps, Dept. of Labor, TAP,etc., we get shut off by these folks.
Again, fully understand companies in the past may have taken advantage of Veterans but, we shouldn't let it ruin it for everyone.
We've been appointing Transitioning Veterans into Agency Ownership for 85 years now... both our founders actually founded Farmers Insurance post-service. Some of our most successful Agency Owners are Veterans. We now give $5,000 in start-up capital to transitioning Veterans (anyone who has left the Military in the last 10 years) just for being veterans. We've appointed 32 Veterans on the program and all are finding success.
Thanks for bringing me into the convo!
You would be shocked/disappointed in how companies offering entrepreneurship opportunities are treated by Family Readiness Centers/TAP Offices. We fully get it, that Veterans may have been burned in the past by fly-by-night companies but, we have a great entrepreneurship program here at Farmers that we struggle to get the word out because of how we're treated.
Maybe this can be a great place for us to turn that trend around. The minute we start talking entrepreneurship, Vet Reps, Dept. of Labor, TAP,etc., we get shut off by these folks.
Again, fully understand companies in the past may have taken advantage of Veterans but, we shouldn't let it ruin it for everyone.
We've been appointing Transitioning Veterans into Agency Ownership for 85 years now... both our founders actually founded Farmers Insurance post-service. Some of our most successful Agency Owners are Veterans. We now give $5,000 in start-up capital to transitioning Veterans (anyone who has left the Military in the last 10 years) just for being veterans. We've appointed 32 Veterans on the program and all are finding success.
Thanks for bringing me into the convo!
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CPT Scott Fussell
This is great Lucas Buck ! "We now give $5,000 in start-up capital to transitioning Veterans (anyone who has left the Military in the last 10 years) just for being veterans. We've appointed 32 Veterans on the program and all are finding success"
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SSG (Join to see)
I agree with the fact that when transitioning out of the military, there should be entrepreneurship classes. These classes should be given by military organizations as to prevent bias by using actual companies and scam artists. Not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur though, so it should be optional. A lot of veterans I know actually started their business while they were still serving in order to compensate for the lack of military pay. My wife and I actually run a business out of our home to compensate, and after one year of operation now, our clientele has increased by 500%. Back to topic, I believe classes should be taught on business laws and regulations, and how to start and register a business in the state they are going back to. Each state can help out as well by giving discounts on business licensing to veterans.
Yes, being a leader in the military definitely gives you an edge on running a business, but people need to know how to properly manage business finances as well. I have seen many veterans get business loans and go bankrupt due to not knowing how to properly manage the investors money. In the end, I believe the classes should be there, but they need to be able to have quality information and resources to help veterans succeed.
Yes, being a leader in the military definitely gives you an edge on running a business, but people need to know how to properly manage business finances as well. I have seen many veterans get business loans and go bankrupt due to not knowing how to properly manage the investors money. In the end, I believe the classes should be there, but they need to be able to have quality information and resources to help veterans succeed.
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It will be a dream come true for me to be able to have my own business instead of having to work for someone else! I will love to be able to create more secured jobs for our people and contribute to better our economy.
Awesome Idea!
Please someone listen to CPT Scott Fussell!
Awesome Idea!
Please someone listen to CPT Scott Fussell!
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CPT Scott Fussell
One of the great things I have seen with most veteran entrepreneurs is they not only create more jobs, but the fact they hire veterans!
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SGT Patrick James
I am looking for Leaders to become business owners.. Follow this link and beging building the future you have always dreamed of... http://www.lifeleadership.com/61404381
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