Free SBA course targets service members, vets on business startup fundamentals

MONTPELIER

Camp Johnson is hosting a two-day course for service members and veterans who want to learn about the fundamentals of starting a small business from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27 and 28 at the camp’s Regional Training Institute, 789 Vermont National Guard Road in Colchester.

Boots to Business is a free Small Business Administration training program for transitioning service members and veterans to help them understand the steps, stages and activities related to launching and growing a business as a post-military career.

“This is a great opportunity for any veteran or service member, including family members, interested in starting a new business or ‘legitimizing’ an existing hobby-business,” said Chris Herriman, SBA Vermont District Office Veteran Business Officer. “This is a free two-day workshop for all existing and prior service members along with their adult family members.”

The training sessions will cover basic economics, financing options, market research, developing a business plan and more. Instructors from SCORE, Vt. Small Business Development Center, Vt. Women’s Business Center and Vt. Procurement Technical Assistance Center will teach the training sessions or provide one-on-one counseling.

Boots to Business started as a pilot program in July 2012 to provide entrepreneurship awareness and training to transitioning service members. Many choose non-traditional employment after military life. The goal is to provide the training nationwide to the approximately 250,000 service members who transition to civilian life each year.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, American veterans own 2.5 million businesses, accounting for 9 percent of all businesses nationwide, and employ more than 5.7 million people. Veterans are 45 percent more likely to be self-employed than people with no military experience.

Herriman said there are more than 7,000 veteran-owned businesses in Vermont and many of them are running companies far outside the scope of what they were doing while serving.

“If you are a Veteran looking to start a new adventure, come to Boots to Business and think about becoming an entrepreneur,” she said.

For more information or to register, call 802-828-4422 extension 206 or email chris.herriman@sba.gov.