By Debbie Gregory.

The Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) program was recognized as one of 2015’s “Bright Ideas” by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

V-WISE is offered through a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Institute for Veteran and Military Families at Syracuse University. The program provides comprehensive entrepreneurial training to women Veterans, active duty and female family members.

As part of a three-phase program, V-WISE is being offered to 200 participants per session. The program includes a growth track for participants already in business, and start-up training for new entrepreneurs.

“V-WISE is an important and timely resource for women, and we’re proud of the successful entrepreneurs who have used this program to start and grow their companies,” said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. “Being recognized by Harvard University is a confirmation of a successful partnership making strides to support the small business ownership dreams of so many women Veterans.”

For consideration as one of the Ash Center’s Bright Ideas, a program must currently be in operation or in the process of launching, have sufficient operational resources, and be administered by one or more governmental entities.  Nonprofit, private sector, and union initiatives are eligible only if they are operating in partnership with a governmental entity. Bright Ideas are showcased on the Ash Center’s Government Innovators Network, an online platform for practitioners and policymakers to share innovative public policy solutions.

The V-WISE program was singled out by the Ash Center as a creative government initiative that deserves to be recognized and replicated. The Government Innovators Network was launched by the Ash Center in 2003 to highlight original ideas generated by government leaders and their public sector partners. This is the fourth cohort recognized through the Bright Ideas program, an initiative of the broader Innovations in American Government Awards program.

The Veteran and Military Business Owners Association (VAMBOA) is a non-profit business trade association that promotes and assists Veteran Business Owners, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB) and Military Business Owners. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and responsible for job generation. That is why VAMBOA provides its members with Business Coaching, Contracting Opportunities, a Blog that provides information, Networking contacts and other resources. Membership is FREE to Veterans. Join Now!

VAMBOA: Joint Program for Female Veterans Honored by Harvard: By Debbie Gregory

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization, is proud to present the 14th Annual DOE Small Business Forum & Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center, June 16-18, 2015 in Phoenix, AZ.

DOE2015 will bring together DOE’s program offices, power administrations, laboratory and technology centers, and prime contractors to connect with small business to meet the challenges of the President’s strategy of:

* Developing and Securing America’s Energy Supplies
* Providing Americans with choices to reduce costs and save energy
* Innovative America’s way to a clean energy future

As a participant, you have the opportunity to build relationships and reconnect with business professionals, acquire invaluable information, and learn about contract opportunities with prime contractors and government procurement officials.

The event will feature plenaries, educational workshops, a large Exhibit Hall, as well as business matchmaking sessions. Over 700 attendees will represent all levels of Federal, state, and local government agencies, the small business community, large/prime contractors, and many more! Click here to view DOE2015 Agenda!

Register Now!

Save $80 and register for the early bird rate by March 31, 2015. Book your room at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix or the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel or at the rate of $83 (+ taxes/fees) before the DOE2015 room blocks fills up.

By Debbie Gregory.

This week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it will be launching an innovative tool on its website that will allow entrepreneurs looking for a small business loan to connect directly with an SBA lender.

The tool is called LINC, short for “Leveraging Information and Networks to access Capital.” By filling out a short online form, LINC connects entrepreneurs to lenders within 48 hours. The SBA hopes that through the utilization of LINC, the federal agency will be better able to provide guidance and ensure that more capital is reaching our nation’s small businesses.

“Effective today, LINC will bring entrepreneurs and SBA lenders together,” said SBA Administrator, Maria Contreras-Sweet.  She continued, “There’s a hunger among entrepreneurs to find financing to get their business off the ground or take the next big step in their expansion plan. The SBA stands there ready to help them, now with a few simple clicks.”

LINC users fill out a twenty-question online form, and their answers are sent to every lender in their county, as well as lenders with a regional or national reach. Once these lenders have reviewed the information, they respond directly to the entrepreneur within 48 hours. There are no fees and no commitment associated with LINC. It is a free federal initiative offered exclusively through the SBA

Contreras-Sweet went on to say, “Across the country, thousands of small business owners pound the pavement every day, looking for term loans, equipment financing, lines of credit, invoice financing, and real estate loans to help them hire and grow. If you have a bankable business idea backed by good credit and sound financial planning, the SBA wants to streamline the process for you to get the capital you need.”

It is the hope of the SBA that LINC will free entrepreneurs from feeling like their only lending option comes from one neighborhood bank. By using technology, LINC will help entrepreneurs get their foot in the door at multiple institutions, in one shot, and improve their access to the capital they need to start or maintain their small business.

Currently, there are 124 lenders across the nation participating in LINC. The SBA will look to expand into more traditional banking institutions that offer a more diverse menu of financial products.

For more information about LINC or to connect with SBA approved lenders, please visit https://www.sba.gov/tools/linc

The Veteran and Military Business Owners Association (VAMBOA) is a non-profit business trade association that promotes and assists Veteran Business Owners, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB) and Military Business Owners. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and responsible for job generation. That is why VAMBOA provides its members with Business Coaching, Contracting Opportunities, a Blog that provides information, Networking contacts and other resources. Membership is FREE to Veterans. Join Now!

VAMBOA: SBA Launches Program Connecting Entrepreneurs to Lenders: By Debbie Gregory

By Debbie Gregory.

It is expected that over the next three to five years, more than 250, 000 service members are expected to separate from the service each year. These Veterans will face stiff competition in the job market, as well as a consistently higher unemployment rate than their non-veteran peers. With unique work and leadership experiences and a tradition of hard work and resiliency, these Veterans will look for alternative options to provide for their families. Economists contend that self-employment will help stimulate our struggling economy. With an abundance of opportunities provided to them by federal, state and local programs, combined with the desire to work for themselves after their service, many Veterans will seek out entrepreneurial ventures. For these Veteran Entrepreneurs to be successful, in addition to the leadership skills and drive that they developed in the military, they will need to acquire the knowledge necessary to run a business. One of the most effective programs for Veterans launching their own businesses is the Boots to Business program. Boots to Business is an entrepreneurial education program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This program is an elective track within the Defense Department’s revised Transition Assistance Program called Transition Goals, Plans, Success (Transition GPS).  The course is offered in three parts. The first part, the Entrepreneurship Track Overview, is an introductory video shown during the mandatory five day Transition GPS course. The second part is a two day classroom course called Introduction to Entrepreneurship. The third part is an eight week instructor led, online course called Foundations of Entrepreneurship. This section offers detailed instruction on the elements of a business plan, and tips and techniques for starting a business.

The Boots to Business curriculum provides indispensable knowledge to transitioning service members who are interested in exploring self-employment opportunities. The program guides soon-to-be Veteran Entrepreneurs through the stages of business ownership, including evaluating business concepts and developing a business plan. Participants in the Boots to Business program are also introduced to the SBA resources that they can use to access startup capital and much more.

Having a sound business plan is critical to getting the startup capital and other lending approved. The Boots to Business program will help Veteran entrepreneurs develop and implement a business plan that will raise their chances of obtaining the funding to get their businesses off the ground.

The best part of the Boots to Business program is that it is available free of charge at participating military installations to service members who are retiring or otherwise transitioning from the service, as well as their spouses.

The Veteran and Military Business Owners Association (VAMBOA) is a non-profit business trade association that promotes and assists Veteran Business Owners, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB) and Military Business Owners. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and responsible for job generation. That is why VAMBOA provides its members with Business Coaching, Contracting Opportunities, a Blog that provides information, Networking contacts and other resources. Membership is FREE to Veterans. Join Now!

VAMBOA: What Boots to Business Does for Veterans: By Debbie Gregory

The American Legion will be hosting a small business workshop for Veteran Small Business Owners on February 24th  and 25th  2015 at the Washington Hilton Hotel, in Washington, DC. The Workshop consists of two days of ‘best practices’ seminars, VA Opportunity Showcase, and multiple Business Networking Sessions during breakfast, lunch and evening reception. This event is Free for Veterans, Service Members, National Guard, Reservists and Spouses.  To Register please send name, company name and email to dgrooms@legion.org or call (202) 263-5757.