In Recognition of Military Veterans Appreciation Month

The Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

HUD Veterans Affinity Group

hosts Veterans Small Business Forum

‘Overcoming Barriers to Becoming a Successful Veteran Entrepreneur in the Federal Marketplace’

Keynote Speaker

Jennifer Carroll

Former Lieutenant Governor Florida

Naval Officer (Ret)

Monday, May 12, 2014

9 am – 1 pm

HUD Brooke – Mondale Auditorium

451 7th Street, S.W.

South Visitors Entrance

Washington, DC 20410

All are Welcomed to Attend

You Must Register not later than May 7th

If Participating by Phone

Send email to Keyvi.Boyer@gmail.com

(805) 399-1200

Code 877589#

(Call in lines will open up at 945 am following onsite reception)

Please be mindful to mute your phone using *6 when listening then you may press *6 again to unmute when you are speaking.  Thank You!

Each year since 1963, the president of the United States has issued a proclamation that calls for a National Small Business Week. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) promotes National Small Business Week as a way to bring into the limelight the impact that outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners and others have had on the nation’s economy. These men and women strive to grow small businesses, which in turn helps to create jobs, drive innovation, and increase the nation’s economic competitiveness.

For this year’s National Small Business Week, the SBA has planned several events that will take place across the country in order to engage the small business community and emphasize their importance to America’s economy. These events will include activities designed to engage attendees, including panels and forums that will discuss small business trends, networking events, award ceremonies and informational seminars.

The planned events are scheduled for the following cities:

May 12- San Francisco, CA:

This event will involve speakers from the small business, government, consumer and high-tech communities. The event will be held at Twitter’s headquarters and will include instruction on how to utilize social media to help drive your business growth. Click here for more information or to register for the San Francisco event.

May 13- Kansas City, MO:

This event will include networking opportunities, discussion panels and information sessions. It will be held at the Burns and McDonnell headquarters. Click here for more information or to register for the Kansas City event.

May 15- Boston, MA:

This event will include discussion panels, matchmaking sessions and information sessions. It will be held at the Microsoft New England R&D Center. Click here for more information or to register for the Boston event.

May 15- Washington DC:

This event will include networking sessions, discussion panels and guest speakers. It will be held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

May 16- Washington DC:

This event will include an awards breakfast, networking sessions, resource expo, awards luncheon and information sessions. It will be held at the FHI360 Conference Center. Click here for more information or to register for either day of the Washington D.C. events.

Throughout National Small Business Week, there will also be webinars and other live-streamed events.  Interested individuals can register online at www.sba.gov/smallbusinessweek. For more information about National Small Business week visit the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov

VAMBOA: National Small Business Week May 12-16, 2014

Presented by:  The U.S. Small Business Administration Georgia District Office And Urban League of Greater Atlanta.

DATE: May 6, 2014                            Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

A capability statement is required by many government agencies and a necessary marketing tool for all businesses.  When used well, a capability statement can open doors and create new targeted opportunities no matter the size of your company.  The goal of this workshop is to teach small business owners how to effectively market their business using a capability statement.

Want to know how to create an effective capability statement?

Objectives:

• Identify the purpose of a capability statement
• Identify the components of a capability statement
• Explain why small businesses need more than one capability statement
• How to put your customers first in your capability statement

Where:  

Small Business Administration

Peachtree Center

233 Peachtree Street, NE

Harris Tower – Suite 1900

Atlanta, Georgia 30303    

Admission is free, however, pre-registration is required as seating is limited.

OnlineRegistration:  To begin registration process, go to www.sba.gov/ga

Cursor down to the bottom of page, under “Business Resources to Help You Start or Grow a Business in Your Area.”  Click on “Training/Events Calendar” to locate and register for workshop.   For more information please contact Charlotte Johnson   (404)  331-0100 ext. 405. 

Veterans Small Business Forum

‘Overcoming Barriers to Becoming a Successful Veteran Entrepreneur in the Federal Marketplace’

hosted by The HUD Veterans Affinity Group (HUD)

In Recognition of National Military Veterans Appreciation Month

(All are Welcomed – You Must Register to Attend)

When: Monday May 12, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM EDT

Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)
451 7th Street S.W.
Brooke – Mondale Auditorium
Washington, DC 20410

You Must Register to Attend Click Here to Reserve Your Seat!

If Participating by Phone

Send email to Keyvi.Boyer@gmail.com

(805) 399-1200

Code 877589#

(Call lines will open up at 945 am)

Please be mindful to mute your phone using *6 when listening then you may press *6 again to unmute when you are speaking.  Thank You!

Maria Contreras-Sweet took office of administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on April 7^th. Contreras-Sweet took little time to get started. And in her first few weeks, she has already made efforts to show Veterans that they are a priority for her and her tenure as head of the SBA.

On April 15, Contreras-Sweet met at the Pentagon with service members who are enrolled in the SBA’s “Operation Boots to Business” program. The program is the product of a coalition between the SBA, the DOD, the VA and Syracuse University that provides transitioning service members with the knowledge and resources to succeed as entrepreneurs. The new SBA head spoke to a class of 20 transitioning airmen and sailors who are seriously considering starting their own businesses.

Contreras-Sweet relayed to the Boots to Business group the need for Veteran businesses to succeed. After all, there are currently almost 2.5 million Veteran owned businesses in the U.S. that employ a combined 5.8 million employees. Veteran owned businesses comprise 9% of all U.S. small businesses. But on top of all that, Conteras-Sweet told the group that she wants to make certain that those who served their country also get a chance to prosper after their service.

To provide an example of her previous record with assisting Veteran entrepreneurs, Contreras-Sweet spoke to the group about her time spent leading the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. Contreras-Sweet said that whenever her agency was hiring out contracts, she always made sure that contracts were provided for Veteranowned companies.

“There’s no point in getting people ready for business and then not giving them the opportunity to do the business,” she told them, “particularly with the government that they fought so hard to defend.”

Contreras-Sweet reminded the future Veteran entrepreneurs, that companies including: FedEX, Chik-Fil-A, Nike and Proctor & Gamble were all started by Veteran entrepreneurs. The SBA administrator believes that there is no coincidence that these Veteran owned businesses became the industry giants they are today. She told the group that many skills that they learned and honed in the military can translate to civilian jobs. At the top of these skills is leadership.

“…your service has given you unique qualifications to lead, and leadership is the holy grail of entrepreneurship,” Contreras-Sweet said.

The administrator promised the Operation Boots to Business group that the SBA would do all that they could to help their businesses get off the ground and grow.

“I want the SBA to have a long-term relationship with you,” she said. “And I want you to tell me if something works or doesn’t work. I want to hear from you directly about how the SBA can do more and how we can do better.”

VAMBOA: New SBA Head Encouraging Veteran Business Owners