Veteran business owners are constantly faced with new challenges that other businesses may not encounter. For starters, veteran owned small businesses and service disabled veteran owned businesses often have to spend more on typical office supplies and health insurance costs because they have smaller employee counts than large corporations. Veteran businesses also have to abide by certain standards set by the government and the Small Business Administration in order to remain considered “veteran owned small businesses.” Luckily, VAMBOA (Veteran and Military Business Owners Association) has made it easy to increase networking experiences and find SBA loans that veterans need to start, build or expand their business.

VAMBOA offers extensive networking opportunities for new and established veteran business owners. The only way a business can grow and prosper is by networking. Of course, many businesses don’t have the funds to hit the ground running, but by utilizing resources from the Small Business Administration, such as SBA loans created specifically for small businesses, such as veteran businesses and service disabled veteran owned businesses, military owned businesses, veterans can begin their businesses strong and continue networking while they build success.

Veteran businesses can use the Small Business Administration to find the necessary forms they need to be approved as veteran owned small businesses or service disabled veteran owned businesses. VAMBOA is a great resource. Veteran business owners can connect with other veteran business owners to discuss the best ways to apply for SBA loans, changes or updates from the Small Business Administration for qualifications and more. VAMBOA can also connect you with private corporations that want to work with you.

One of the best ways for newer veteran businesses and service disabled veteran owned businesses to get a jump start is to become members of VAMBOA. There, veterans are able to build a collection of contacts, adding veterans to their list of business contacts to network with. Networking is a great way for veterans to learn about the process of becoming a successful veteran business owner, to find advice on SBA loans and to build the best business practices to ensure a successful future.

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VAMBOA – Veteran and Military Business Owners Association is a non-profit trade organization offering various membership benefits to its veteran and military business owners. Many veteran owned businesses and military owned businesses find the support they need to succeed as veteran businesses and military businesses through valuable services and networking opportunities provided by VAMBOA. For starters, membership is free to all veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses (SDVOB) and military business owners. A veteran can find the training and help necessary to succeed from VAMBOA.

Some other membership benefits include introductions to top corporations that embrace supplier diversity for veteran businesses and military businesses owners, member to member exchanges, referrals and discounts for veteran and military business owners. There are also benefits for potential partners for joint ventures for both military owned businesses and veteran owned businesses as well as franchise opportunities and discounts. Veteran business owners and owners of military businesses are also able to attend valuable conferences and webinars. VAMBOA will be featuring veteran and military business owners in the VAMBOA Veteran and Military Business Owner Directory as well as the VAMBOA Newsletter.

Military businesses and veteran businesses registered as members of VAMBOA have the opportunity to form strategic alliances with top corporations and government agencies. VAMBOA will also provide advocacy and the advancement of legislation that will benefit its members. These membership benefits are priceless when it comes to forming strong bonds with other veterans and veteran and military business owners and creating powerful relationships between military owned businesses, veteran owned businesses, and service disabled veteran owned businesses.

VAMBOA’s membership benefits are exclusive and even provide major advertising discounts on MilitaryConnection.com – The Go-To Site – for any certified veteran or military owned business and a free listing on its Veteran and Military Business Directory. Veterans who own veteran businesses or military owned businesses who register as members can benefit from all types of discounts including travel, car rentals, hotels, office supplies, office equipment, shipping, electronics, accounting and finance tools including QuickBooks, payroll services, insurance, staffing search engine marketing, web design and more!

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There are many business opportunities veterans and service disabled veterans can take on, including starting a veteran small business. Starting a veteran owned small business or service disabled veteran owned small business is a great way to create income and increase diversity and competition between businesses. Veteran owned businesses also increase veteran diversity in the workforce. For most veterans, opening a small business will require veteran small business loans, either through private lenders or through the Small Business Administration.

For many veteran small business owners, the process of starting a veteran owned small business or service disabled veteran owned small business can be confusing to say the least. Where do you start? What forms do you need? Where can you go for help? These are all commonly asked questions of prospective veteran owned businesses and service disabled veterans looking to get started on their new business. Building businesses from the ground up is an intimidating task, and for veterans hoping to start a small business, it can be even more difficult, considering veteran small business loans.

The Small Business Administration is the best place to find veteran small business loans that are affordable and accessible to veterans looking to start veteran owned businesses. The SBA offers business guides, information and resources to get a veteran small business or a service disabled veteran owned small business off the ground. You will find information specifically for service disabled veterans looking to learn more about service disabled veterans’ eligibility for business grants as well as information and resources for a veteran owned small business and other veteran businesses about the Patriot Express Loans being offered through the end of 2010. The SBA is a prime location to find forms and applications for veteran small business loans, as well as applications for veteran status of other veteran owned small business and service disabled veteran owned small business ventures.

If you are looking to start your own veteran small business, remember that you are not alone and opening veteran owned businesses does not have to be as intimidating as it seems. All businesses start somewhere and veteran owned businesses are no different.

Revered by many to be a man of great integrity and worth, Lt. Colonel Tom Lasser was recently named “Veteran of the Year” by Assembly member Ted Lieu at the 3^rd annual Veteran of the Year ceremony.

Our own Co-chair, Debbie Gregory, is a long time friend of Lasser and was happy to hear the news of his award, citing his deserving of it because of his “24/7” work ethic and all around good will. Lasser’s 7 years of active duty service and 33 years spent with the California National Guard might speak for themselves, but after 40 years of veteran service, this award is a long time coming.

Lasser is a Vietnam veteran who earned his Army aviator wings upon completion of the Army Aviation Warrant Officer Aviator Flight Course. He is a brightly decorated war vet, earning the Purple Heart award, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 35 Oak Leaf clusters, the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medals and many other awards and commendations. He is a master Army aviator with more than 1000 Vietnam helicopter missions and over 6000 total flying hours.

It is no wonder why someone with such impressive experience and impenetrable devotion to his country would be recognized with an award of this nature. Lasser is truly a role model for American veterans.

Lasser has resided in Redondo Beach with his wife for 20 years. They have a daughter, Ami’ Collette, who works in the fashion industry in Hollywood.

Tom Lasser is a proud veteran business owner.

The Veteran Small Business Federal Interagency Council is proud to present The 6th Annual National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo at Caesars Palace Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 19-22, 2010.

http://nationalveteransconference.com/

As the largest conference of its kind, this nationwide conference will bring together over 3,200 attendees from Veteran-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB/SDVOSBs), federal agencies and departments, and prime contractors to share best practices of how to do business together.

Exhibit Hall and Matchmaking

The Exhibit Hall and Matchmaking Sessions will provide attendees the opportunity to showcase their businesses and conduct face-to-face meetings with government purchasing officials and subcontracting specialists, all of whom are eager to find VOSB/SDVOSBs capable of delivering the products they need. Sponsorships are also available to maximize your company’s visibility at the conference.

Serving Those Who Served