VetBiz Team Members Promoted to VBOC Leadership
VetBiz has announced the promotion of Danielle Lowery to Director, Operations and Programming; and Mitch Fitzpatrick to Director, Training & Outreach.
In this new capacity, Lowery will be responsible for the overall administration of VBOC operations and volunteer programming. Fitzpatrick will be responsible for the overall planning and administration of VBOC training and outreach across the region.
Upcoming Events
Virtual Boots to Business Reboot Class
March 23, 2023
Are you ready to take the first step towards owning and operating your own business? Then look no further! The U.S. Small Business Administration and the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) are excited to announce the upcoming online Boots to Business/Reboot program on March 28th, 2023 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM Central Standard Time.
This event is open to anyone interested in starting or growing a small business, and will cover a variety of important topics including entrepreneurship, market research, financing, and SBA resources. Our highly decorated guest presenters will be on hand to share their knowledge and experience, providing you with the insights you need to succeed as a small business owner.
The Zoom link for the event will be provided prior to the training, so be sure to register today! This is your chance to explore what it takes to be an entrepreneur and join the growing number of successful small business owners. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to turn your business dreams into reality!
Iowa/Nebraska Veteran Business Resources Workshop
March 30, 2023
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Iowa and Nebraska District Offices will be hosting a workshop for veteran business owners that provides information on the new Veteran Owned Small Business certification process, access to surplus property, financing opportunities and online educational resources specific for veteran business owners.
Registration is required.
IA/NE Women Veteran & Entrepreneur Roundtable & Networking Opportunity
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Iowa and Nebraska District Offices will be hosting a special session of its Stellar Women Achieving Greatness (SWAG) roundtable and networking opportunity for women veterans and entrepreneurs.
NSF Small Business Innovation Research
April 18 & 19 , 2023
Join the Missouri SBDC for the NSF SBIR Interactive Workshop on April 18th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and April 19th from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. via Zoom. This day and a half workshop is designed to assist technology start-ups and existing businesses in learning how to apply for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) to fund their R&D. Led by Dr. Veronika Redmann, a consultant/grant writer, entrepreneur, and NSF reviewer, this hands-on workshop is an extensive “how to apply” course developed for companies that have a unique breakthrough technology that is NSF grant worthy. Participants will learn how to prepare a competitive NSF Phase 1 submission, including how to articulate their technology, conduct market research, form a project team, create a technical approach, and manage the budget. The workshop includes breakout sessions so that participants can apply these principles. Register today.
Pub Crawl
June 10th, 2023
We had such a great time at the UnGala in June! Save the Date and Join Us Next year for the Pub Crawl!
PAINTING the TECH BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS
March 2023
Paint the Tech Business Modle Canvas: 6-Week Online Course- Missouri SBDC The course is designed to help technology start-ups understand the essential steps needed to develop a business model canvas for their early concept. The course will cover the basics of conducting customer discovery interviews, which will enable participants to understand and identify customer problems in the space where their potential solution may live. Participants will have the opportunity to apply their learning by completing real-life interviews, allowing them to gain practical experience in conducting customer discovery interviews. Overall, this course looks like a valuable offering for technology start-ups who want to develop their business model canvas and learn how to identify customer problems and needs in the marketplace. By the end of the course, participants should have a comprehensive understanding of the steps involved in developing a business model canvas and be able to apply this knowledge to their own start-up concepts. Register Today
News and Updates
How To Prepare For SBA Veteran Small Business Certification
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)began accepting applications through the Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program. Learn how you can prepare today.
Disaster Relief Updates
If your home or business has been damaged or destroyed by a federally declared disaster, you may be eligible for an SBA disaster assistance loan. These long-term, low-interest rate loans are available to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters to repair or replace uninsured/ underinsured disaster damaged property.
COVID- 19 Business Resources
A borrower can apply for forgiveness once all loan proceeds for which the borrower is requesting forgiveness have been used. Borrowers can apply for forgiveness any time up to the maturity date of the loan. More information Here
VetBiz has announced the promotion of Danielle Lowery to Director, Operations and Programming; and Mitch Fitzpatrick to Director, Training & Outreach.
In this new capacity, Lowery will be responsible for the overall administration of VBOC operations and volunteer programming. Fitzpatrick will be responsible for the overall planning and administration of VBOC training and outreach across the region.
Are you a self-certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)? Have you considered becoming certified through the VA? Do you need to renew your SDVOSB certifications in 2022 or 2023?
The SBA and VA continue to work together to transfer the VA’s Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) function to the SBA by January 1, 2023. We encourage all veteran-owned businesses that are self-certified, considering certification, or have SDVOSB certification renewals coming up to complete the verification process through the VA before the transfer takes place. We expect a large influx of applications following the transfer in January 2023. To start this process visit: https://vetbiz.va.gov/vip/.
Self-certified SDVOSBs that do not apply through the VA now will receive a one-year grace period following the transfer. Applicants during this period will maintain eligibility until SBA reviews the application. (Learn More Here)
If you are interested in learning more about this upcoming transfer, please visit: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/veteran-assistance-programs. This website contains resources to learn about veteran assistance programs, contracting opportunities, and what this transfer means for your business. We recommend visiting the site, bookmarking it, and checking back occasionally for more news.
VetBiz stands prepared to assist you in your small business. We can connect to resources specifically for SDVOSB certifications and government contracting. To have a conversation with our expert consulting team, contact us today!
ST. LOUIS (May 3, 2021) – VetBiz, formerly the Veterans Business Resource Center, is relocating to adjacent and larger offices in the Curlee Building, 611 N. 10th St. in St. Louis as part of its Forward 15 Celebration.
The nonprofit organization will hold an in-person open house to showcase its new space on May 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A ribbon-cutting with St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones will be live-streamed for viewing on Facebook and the VetBiz website at https://vetbiz.com/news/openhouse/
Additional dignitaries attending the ceremony are Maureen Brinkley, Director of the St. Louis District of the Small Business Administration; and Veteran Business Advocate Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, William ‘Bill’ Elmore.
VetBiz invites anyone interested in a tour of the newly renovated office space to schedule a time to visit on Monday, May 24. To schedule a tour, here
“Our move to larger offices will prepare us for our next 15 years of training service members and their families to open or grow their businesses. The expansion is part of our Forward 15 Celebration of our first 15 years in operation and will ensure that the VBRC continues to meet its mission of providing world-class entrepreneurship education and counsel,” Darcella Craven, president (and chief fear conqueror) of VetBiz, said.
The Forward 15 Celebration is a fundraising and sustainability campaign that seeks to keep VetBiz’s business training services free and available to any current or former service member or family members.
St. Louis (May 2021) – VetBiz, the nation’s first center assisting military Veteran entrepreneurs, was awarded a grant of $485,000 a year for two additional option years to continue administrative functions in support of the entrepreneurial training and counseling programs conducted by the Center. VetBiz, which will celebrate its 17th anniversary on June 7, has worked tirelessly to continue operating and serving veteran, military and military family business owners in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and southern Illinois. This funding is in the form of a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration, Office of Veterans Business Development. The Center has won this very competitive government award for the last 13 years. The Center provides individually tailored advice, training, seminars, and an annual summit for Veterans and military families who wish to start a company or scale a current venture.
“We are grateful for the unwavering support in this region. From the advocacy for veterans of our congressional representatives to the collaborative partnerships with other entrepreneurship support agencies we are excited to continue our mission.” Said VetBiz President and Chief Fear Conqueror Darcella Craven. “Over 65 volunteers in the area have helped us to serve the men and women who have fought for this country when they return home.”
“It has been an honor to participate in the entrepreneurship journey of veterans and their families.”, said VetBiz Board Vice Chair Brian Sexton. “As a small business owner, I understand their pain, their excitement and the commitment it takes. Having VetBiz available to them to help makes all the difference.”
VetBiz has supplied group entrepreneurship training, seminars, webinars and individual counseling to more than 40,000 Veterans, military and family members at no charge over the last thirteen years. The Center implements the Boots to Business (B2B) on 7 military post in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and southern Illinois. Boots to Business is an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP). B2B provides participants with an overview of business ownership and is open to transitioning service members (including National Guard and Reserve) and their spouses.
The organization can now concentrate on raising funds from the community to expand the services and programmatic tools offered. “With our small staff, we enjoy an excellent reputation with veterans as business building experts and have wonderful relationships with area companies as a fiscally responsible nonprofit.” explains Josh Frank, VetBiz Chair. “As mentioned, this core funding is specifically for administrative functions. It is imperative that we continue to receive local sponsorship and donations to maintain our outreach programs, offer seminars and travel to those veterans who are unable to get to us. We still need energized donors and volunteers to help us build on this foundation.”
The Center staff has worked hard to create and maintain solid relationships with other economic development organizations to connect clients to available resources. “We are thrilled that VetBiz has received this award as they are a true partner to the U.S. Small Business Administration in terms of counseling, training, and supporting veteran entrepreneurs.”, explains Maureen Brinkley, SBA St. Louis District Director. “Darcella Craven, staff members, members of their Board and five of their clients have been recognized in prior years as SBA’s “Veteran Business Champion of the Year” or “Veteran Small Business of the Year” both locally and nationally. We look forward to future endeavors with this very dedicated group of individuals.”
VetBiz was established in 2004 and assists all U.S. military Veterans, Guard or Reserve members and active-duty personnel transitioning to civilian life to start businesses or expand existing companies. Its parent organization is The Veterans Advocacy Foundation, Inc. (VAF), an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit Missouri Corporation. Founded in 1996 and operated by a service-connected disabled veteran, the VAF provides funding, guidance, and personnel for the nation’s first dedicated Veterans Business Resource Center, as well as legislative support and advocacy on behalf of American Veterans.
The foundation is governed by a board of directors comprised of 14 members, many Veterans, and all outstanding achievers in their respective fields. Core funding is supplemented by private industry donors including American Direct Marketing Resource, Veterans United Foundation, Regions Bank and other spirited donors.
On VeteransDay we celebrated a new partnership. VetBiz has been awarded a $70,000 grant in general operating funds from Boeing. We are excited about this new partnership and have already started expanding our impact thanks to these funds.
Watch a recording of the event here
VetBiz has been awarded a $60,000 Berges Family Foundation grant to support program and service expansion for veteran and military-affiliated entrepreneurs.
Funding will be used to impact the St. Louis region in the following ways: •Increase the number of veteran and military-affiliated owned businesses.
- Assist current veteran and military-affiliated businesses with expansion.
- Create jobs through these new and expanded businesses.
Entrepreneurship Training
Classes and Trainings
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp For Veterans (EBV)
The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) national program is a novel, one-of-a-kind initiative designed to leverage the skills, resources, and infrastructure of higher education to offer cutting-edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans with a passion for entrepreneurship. The aim of the program is to open the door to economic opportunity for our veterans by developing their competencies in creating and sustaining an entrepreneurial venture.
Boots to Business Reboot
Reboot Boots to Business is a one-day training program that provides participants an overview of business ownership.
Online
VetBiz Activate
Whether you have an idea for a small business or just recently began and need to establish your foundation, this program will move your forward. Through formal instruction by industry leaders, guest speakers, and individual coaching.
SLUStart I-Corps
The SLUStart I-Corps program, underwritten by the National Science Foundation, provides a free collaborative environment for you and your team to push and test your ideas using “problem seeking”. You will end up with an actionable business model. By participating in SLUStart I-Corps you can get help pursuing your innovation or new venture concept and possibly qualify for up to $50,000 in non-dilutive financial support in the national NSF program and $2,000 locally.
Upcoming Webinars
Thursday, April 14 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm If your business is at least 51% owned, controlled and managed by women, minority, veteran, & LGBTQ owners you need to consider a Diverse Business Certification to help your business grow!
Register Today:
Partner Events
Score LIVE Webinars
Location
Dec 14: The New Must Have Marketing Strategy for 2022
Dec 16: Google My Business for Home-Based Business Owners – Get Found Without Using Your Home Address
Dec 28: Critical Questions & Information Needed to Do Proper Business Planning
Note: All webinars are recorded – https://www.score.org/recorded-webinars
Note: All webinars are recorded – https://www.score.org/recorded-webinars
NEF: 1 Day Quickbook Training with Benefits 8:30-4:30om
Location
Date/ Time: December 11, 2020 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Omaha, NE
NEF is hosting QuickBooks Training for potential clients that did not receive a PPP or SBA EIDL. This program will be customized to meet the needs of small business owners, entrepreneurs & start-ups. The content will include 1 day of training on business set up and system functions, including customer, employee, vendor, writing checks & paying bills, invoicing & receiving payments, payroll & more! A laptop w software will be provided for participants to utilize during the class. Includes lunch $15 (includes lunch).
NEF: 1 Day Quickbook Training with Benefits
Location
Date/ Time: December 12, 2020 9:00 AM -4:30 PM- Omaha, NE
This is a 1-day quickbooks training where you’ll learn basic quickbooks, get one-on-one training setting up your business on quickbooks, clients or customers, products and/or services. A laptop with the software loaded will be provided for your use during the workshop. Register Here
Take the next steps?
Are you ready to grow your Veteran or Military Spouse owned business? Click the Request Consultation button below to register for assistance. Our team of small business advisors is dedicated to helping veterans and military family business owners build veteran businesses!