Veteran Owned Businesses

**Fanatik** · 06-29-2008 09:56 AM

Are there any other vets on YE that own businesses? If so, how do you think the VOB administration and resources are at helping you build and market your business? Also, do you think the Army's new recruiting campaign, of giving $30,000 to new enlistees to start a business after their committment is a good idea, or no? Remember - this is IN ADDITION to the $80,000 we receive as our GI Bill.

I think the Veteran's Administration lacks in the form of support it gives veterans and their businesses. They have a nice, big office in Washington DC, but in the time I've dealt with them, I have received better information from Google than I have them. They seem like they're in their own little world, and it's almost impossible to receive a good reply from them when I have questions.

I think the Army's new recruiting campaign is an amazing idea. I wish they'd do this for all branches. Do you know how far $30,000 can go to start a business?!?! Just imagine if you had $30k for a business, what you could do with it.... xxSoldierxx I'm sure you could think of a few things... BlackHawk, Belleville, etc... Big purchase orders, startup costs, etc...

I know a lot of people hold reservations about the military - but this isn't the thread to bash us. This is concerning business, not your view on politics. Let's keep it clean.

**x3xsolxdierx3x** · 06-29-2008 10:37 AM

funny you should ask....lol......

oh man........with the foundation I have laid already........Give me 2-4 months and I'll turn that $30,000 into a million.....

unfortunately, I'm trying to do it from scratch......so far....so good.......but, the extra help sure would help.....

"Also, do you think the Army's new recruiting campaign, of giving $30,000 to new enlistees........"

Any idea if this is JUST something their implementing now, and, would it be retroactive to ALL servicemembers who joined after 9/11, or something? Iv'e been in for about 8 years now.......definitely not a 'new enlistee'......but, we could use that help, as well........and, I'm fortunate enough to have only done 1 deployment so far.......

Many guys who have been in 8 years, are on their 3-4-5th deployments.....

"I know a lot of people hold reservations about the military - but this isn't the thread to bash us. This is concerning business, not your view on politics. Let's keep it clean."

Since 9/11.......wev'e sent hundreds of thousands of troops to Iraq and Afghanistan.....despite what some may think who are not PERSONALLY invested in the war.....a HUGE population of Americans have been.......

Jay, do you know if there's ANYTHING I could get for being a Veteran, from the Government? even just a $1,000?.....

**x3xsolxdierx3x** · 06-29-2008 10:39 AM

oh......and, the Army is doing all types of stuff in an attempt to entice new recruits.....now, they have a 'College First' program.....basically, they can't deploy a soldier until after they are finished with college....is it a sign of desparation? or is it because our country's citizens aren't really interested in serving any longer? People spend more time on MySpace nowadays than with writing/ sending care packages to our Troops......

It's really unfortunate.

Sometimes I wonder........do we even deserve freedom?

**x3xsolxdierx3x** · 06-29-2008 10:41 AM

errr.....I took this thread SLIGHTLY off topic, I know with my rant about 'freedom'.....lol.....I realize that many have different views on the war.....let's just talk about veterans/veteran businesses/what can be done to help THEM out......

**Fanatik** · 06-29-2008 12:14 PM

I hear ya on the unavailability of resources. I actually had a chance to write a column for a San Antonio-based advertising company regarding being a vet, and owning multiple businesses. The resources for us just aren't there. A lot of the Vet Assoc. SEEM like they're helpful on the surface, but I haven't received a damn bit of assistance from any of them.

Example: The Veterans Corporation - Where Veteran Entrepreneurs Partner for Success.

It's worth it to register your biz, but don't expect help from them. The kicker, is that they're a VA based organizartion, so you'd expect the Dept of VA to be on the up and up. Yea right. Not in my experience. One resource you'll DEFINITELY want to take advantage of, is the GSA schedule. Goto www.gsaadvantage.gov and register your biz, so you can readily be seen by Supply Sgt's like myself when they're looking for something on GSA.

In my experience, I have seen TONS of help for Service Disabled Vet's, but absolutely NONE for regular vet's. Granted, they obviously gave a lot and got injured, but what about us that have done our time, just got lucky enough not to get injured???

I'd talk with your local SBA office and see if they know anything about STATE resources for vets in your state. The federal grants just aren't there unless you're service disabled. If you find otherwise, certainly let us know!

**Fanatik** · 06-29-2008 12:25 PM

Here ya go: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

**Fanatik** · 06-29-2008 12:28 PM

more Bullshit ::cough:: Small Business Administration

**x3xsolxdierx3x** · 06-29-2008 12:42 PM

.......or......i could just spend most of that $30,000 on THIS......
$25,000 Dessert on Yahoo! Video

Pardon my language......but, what the h*ll is wrong with our country? I see so many things wrong, and selling $25,000 deserts, while many of our veterans go homeless.......is just one of them.....geeze man.......if you have that much money to spend on a desert.....how about do something that helps people?....

and.......at the end, the lady says "it tastes just like a frozen hot chocolate"......well, how about ripping open a pack of Swiss-miss.....through it in some water and milk.....and, freeze it.......not something deserving of $25,000 just in my opinion of course.....

**vob** · 12-06-2008 07:14 AM

Great thread!

There are a ton of additional resources for military veterans to help them start and grow a business. Check out VeteranOwnedBusiness.com. It's a free directory of businesses owned by veterans and service disabled veterans. There's no charge to use it and there's no charge for veterans and service disabled veterans to list their companies on it.

**cwish001** · 12-07-2008 12:53 AM

You should look into the patriot express program. It is like a VA home loan but it is a Business loan for veterans (gaurenteed by the SBA) That makes it easier for the bank to give it to you. I think it is up to $450,000. You still need to have a really good business plan. I am going this route when I finish college and tech school. I own a small IT Consulting business right now, Campus Technology Solutions, LLC. I was a E-5 information systems technition in the navy, ran a network and now I am getting my degree in Managment, minor in computer information systems, and I am attending a tech school to bring myself up to date with CCNA,CCNP and microsoft Certs. A loan officer friend of mine said it will be important to show all this training when I submit my business plan to the bank. I am going to bring my business fulltime soon so I will need the loan capitol. Best of luck to all of my fellow vets!!!