“National Veterans Small Business Week dates back to the SBA’s commitment to supporting Veterans transitioning from military service into business ownership. Over the years, this initiative has evolved, reflecting the growing economic footprint of Veteran-owned businesses.”
–Rhett Buttle, Forbes
THIS week is for the brave men and women Veterans who served their country, made it home, and continued to serve others by becoming small business owners to address underserved needs.
THIS week is for celebrating the courage to take on the challenge of building something greater than oneself and doing what it takes to cultivate their vision and mission. By launching businesses, Veteran entrepreneurs create jobs that not only strengthen our national workforce but also open doors for professional growth and address critical gaps in underserved markets.
At Visionary Consulting Partners (Visionary), we know firsthand the challenges and rewards of building businesses that serve our communities and strengthen our economy. In honor of National Veterans Small Business Week, Air Force Veterans and co-founders of Visionary, Mike and Ellie Thornton, continue to reaffirm Team Visionary’s passion for advocating the expansion of Veteran-owned business set-asides, particularly in federal and state contracting. Veteran set-asides in government procurement are a powerful tool for economic mobility and community resilience.
Visionary joins the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in celebrating this week of observance with a Veterans Day tribute through words of appreciation and reflection. Throughout the week, Visionary proudly supports the SBA as they take us all on a journey of resource and information sharing. Each SBA-hosted program and event provides Veteran business owners with vital guidance and tools for successful business operation.
THIS National Veterans Small Business Week, the SBA’s North Florida District Office and Office of Field Operations hosting a Veterans: Are You Lender Ready series on November 13th at 1:00pm ET, offering Veteran entrepreneurs financial preparation and networking opportunities with potential lenders. Following an introductory workshop guiding business owners through the necessary documentation for small business loan applications, a panel session features traditional and alternative lenders explaining their loan programs and what they look for in the ideal business borrower.
Attendance provided:
- Expert Financial Preparation for a successful loan application process.
- Insightful Panel Sessions with lending experts about what makes a strong application and how to stand out as applicants.
- In-depth Knowledge of the different loan programs available through SBA, traditional lenders and alternative lenders, and determine which one is right for specific business types.
- Practical Application Tips on the key elements that lenders look for in a strong application.
THIS National Veterans Small Business Week, the SBA’s Houston District Office, Office of Field Operations, and Office of Government Contracting and Business Development are hosting a Certification Advantage for the Military Community workshop on November 14th at 1:00pm ET.
As the SBA transforms its customer experience for federal contracting certifications, the new tool, MySBA, is a key component of the SBA’s modernization and enhancement of the process. SBA certification programs under MySBA include:
- Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)
- Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)
- 8(a) Business Development Program
- Veteran Small Business Certification (VOSB)
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
- Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) Program
MySBA Certifications will provide small business owners with an improved digital experience for applying for and managing federal contracting certifications, along with easier access to the world’s largest marketplace of goods and services. The new one-stop-shop online experience includes:
- Faster and easier applications and renewals for many customers.
- Ability to apply for multiple certifications at the same time.
- Direct access to other SBA resources relevant to your business.
- Streamlined experience for SBA customers and analysts.
- Simplified and improved customer service.
THIS National Veterans Small Business Week, let’s strengthen the #VetBiz community. Every Veteran-owned business reflects the resilience learned through service. So, let’s come together as a united community to uplift and support each other, amplifying our collective voices so that Veteran businesses gain the recognition, resources, and opportunities essential for their growth and success. By standing in solidarity, we honor their service, fuel their entrepreneurial spirit, and contribute to a stronger, more resilient economy that values the dedication and sacrifice of our Veterans.
