Resources & Events for Veteran-Owned Business
If you are a veteran, you are an ideal entrepreneur. Your military service instilled discipline, teamwork and leadership skills, making you a resilient and reliable business owner.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, veterans owned over 1.9 million of U.S. small businesses with 5.4 million employees, $256 billion in annual payroll and an estimated $1.3 trillion in sales. In Florida alone, approximately 187,000 veteran-owned businesses generate over $57 billion in annual revenue.
To support veterans in their entrepreneurial pursuits, over the next few weeks, several organizations will provide opportunities for local veterans and veteran-owned businesses to learn about available resources and hiring events.
SBA National Veterans Small Business Week
The Small Business Administration (SBA) will host a series of events during its 11th annual National Veterans Small Business Week from Nov. 11 to 15. The SBA and its partners will highlight the achievements of veteran- and military-spouse owned businesses while sharing resource information and events to connect veteran entrepreneurs to potential growth opportunities.
Business Model Canvas Bootcamp – Nov. 1, 8 & 15
Learn how to create and refine your business model canvas with expert guidance and validate your business idea. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to pivot, this bootcamp is perfect for entrepreneurs at any stage.
Hosted by the Volusia Business Incubator, this in-person event will help entrepreneurs validate their business idea. The bootcamp will occur on three consecutive Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 1, 8 & 15.
Doing Business with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs – Nov. 5
This online workshop is an introduction to doing business with the Veterans Health Administration NCO 23. Learn how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) buys, what they buy and how you can participate and support the mission of the VA. Also learn about the Veteran’s Business Outreach Center (VBOC), a one-stop-shop for service members, veterans and military spouses looking to start, purchase, or grow a business. The event will occur from 9 to 10 a.m. on Nov. 5
Boots to Business Two-Day Entrepreneurial Training for Vets & Spouses – Nov. 5 & 6
This SBA hosted online event is a two-step training program developed to introduce Veterans and transitioning service members to business ownership. Any veteran, spouse and/or dependent children over 18 are welcome to participate. The event will occur from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 5 & 6.
Paychecks for Patriots Career Fair – Nov. 7
CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia (CSBFV) will once again participate in the annual Paychecks for Patriots job fair dedicated to employing Veterans. The event will be held x from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm on Nov. 7 at the Museum of Arts & Sciences, 352 South Nova Road, Daytona Beach. The event is FREE and open to the public. Walk-ins are welcome.
Learn more and register. For more information or questions, call 321-504-7600 or email vetjobfair@careersourcebfv.com
SBA Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert)
Getting certified by SBA as veteran-owned (VOSB) makes your business eligible to compete for sole-source and set-aside contracts at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA sets aside at least 7% of its contracts each year specifically for certified VOSBs and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs). This also allows these businesses to compete for contracts under other qualifying socio-economic programs.
Learn more about the certification benefits and to register at https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/
Florida Certified Business Enterprises
In Florida, the Department of Management Services (DMS) Office of Supplier Diversity’s goal is to increase the number of Florida Certified Business Enterprises that are minority-owned (MBE), woman-owned (WBE) and veteran-owned (VBE). DMS works with eligible business owners to process and grant their certification and to ensure they are informed of the benefits of certification. The process includes identifying and certifying eligible Florida-based small businesses through effective and thorough reviews of the submitted certification documents.
For more information on becoming a Florida Veteran Certified Business Enterprise, visit https://floridavets.org/benefits-services/veteran-certified-businesses/ or call 850-487-0915.
For other business assistance needs, contact Volusia County Division of Economic Development at 386-248-8048 or vced@volusia.org.