The VBRC is part of a larger local and nation entrepreneurial network. Use the information below to connect to other resources or feel free to contact us for more information or questions. Our goal is to get you to the right resource(s) to help you achieve your goal. Whether that is with our Center or another agency, we are dedicated to helping you get it right.
How do I get registered to receive VA contracts?
While we appreciate you stopping by our site, you have reached the wrong VETBIZ. You wanted VETBIZ.GOV which is now located at www.va.gov/osdbu/ (click here and we will get you back to the right spot.) If you find that site confusing or need more assistance, come on back and register for counseling. We are only too happy to help.
Ok, what is the catch? How much does this service cost me?
Well, that is the $64,000 question. No really, it’s $64,000! The answer is “it depends.” The current Executive Director of the VBRC is an Army Veteran. Her rule is Army is no cost. Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard pay in small, shiny trinkets that are really expensive and hard to come by. Navy (since she is mad that they keep beating Army at football – sore subject we don’t speak on it) pays the going market rate for all services plus their first born child. The caveat is that child must be well-behaved. If not, you keep them we have enough challenges dealing with the Marine clients.
Wait, she says it is no cost for all who qualify for our services. There are adjusted fees for some classes and clients who need on-site consulting are charged at a sliding scale. You should inquire with the Administrator for more details.
Good, because we were not looking forward to taking on your kids.
What is B2B or Reboot B2B and how can I get involved?
The Boots to Business (B2B) program is a 2-day intensive course held on military post for transitioning military personnel and their families. Registration is completed through the Transition Assistance Program or Army Career Assistance Program through the Family Readiness Center on post.
If you are already a transitioned military member (i.e. Veteran) please contact your local post to see if you can attend. If not, there will be Reboot B2B happening in our region. The program will be open for all Veterans and family members. That schedule is here for across the country, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam & Puerto Rico.
If I don't really have an idea yet can you help?
Yes, we have several ways to help you make a decision about small business as a direction. You should register for one of our “How To” courses held each month.
Please visit our training section for a list of classes and times.
How do I access the 'free money' out there for Veterans to start a business?
Wow you have opened a can of worms huh! We know. We know. The guy on the infomercial told you that there were government grants out there for you to get.
Ok, let’s think about this for a hot second. If there were free money out there, you would see the line from Mars! Business owners need to think about ‘free money’ or grants differently.
Our services are $275 per hour – you do not pay because someone else does. A QuickBook class can be $400 but we offer them for less than $20 to clients – you save $380 in your budget.
See! If you can get great information that would normally come from your budget then you are getting a ‘grant’.
Can my family and friends come with me to training?
Well yeah! We encourage you to bring business partners, family members and investors with you to the consulting meetings. Basically anyone that you still want to have a relationship with as you are starting this business should come.
Worst thing you can do is learn new information but your support system does not.
Do I need to be a Veteran to get your assistance?
Any person who honorably served in the United States military all five branches (Of course we did not forget the Coast Guard) can receive our assistance.
We also help family members of those persons who are holding down the fort while their loved one is deployed. And we work with widows/widowers as needed.
Center Locations and Areas of Coverage
Use the information below to connect with a VBOC/VBRC in your region.
RI – Connecticut Providence,, Maine, Massachusetts,New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
(401) 427-6536 | blafauci@cweonline.org www.VBOCNewEngland.org
Watervliet, NY – New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico,U.S. Virgin Islands
(518) 326-6328 | aamoroso@arsenalpartnership.com www.vbocregion2.com
Norfolk, VA – Virginia, West Virginia
(757) 683-4793 | csageste@odu.edu http://www.odu.edu/vboc
Springfield, VA – District of Columbia,Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania
(703) 768-1440 | charles@cbponline.org www.cbponline.org
Panama City, FL – Florida
(850) 769-1551, ext. 3327 | bpeacock@gulfcoast.edu www.vboc.org
Fayetteville, NC – North Carolina
(910) 672-2683 tcbryant@uncfsu.edu | www.fsuvboc.com
Nashville, TN – Tennessee, Kentucky
(615) 425-7171 | reggie.ordonez@pathwaylending.org www.pathwaylending.org
Starkville, MS – Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi
(662) 325-4990 | rseitz@business.msstate.edu www.vboc.msstate.edu
Warner Robins, GA – Georgia, South Carolina
1-833-44VECTR (83287) | VBOC@gavectr.org www.gavectr.org/vboc
Flint, MI – Indiana, Michigan, Ohio
(810) 767-8387 | matt@vetbizcentral.org www.vetbizcentral.org
Milwaukee, WI – Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin
(414) 395-4555 | ana.simpson@wwbic.com www.wwbic.com
Edinburg, TX – West, Central & Southern Texas
(956) 665-8931 | juan.santosflores01@utrgv.edu www.utrgv.edu/vboc
Arlington, TX – Arkansas, Northern Texas, Oklahoma
(817) 272-6789 | utavboc@uta.edu www.uta.edu/vboc
Albuquerque, NM – Colorado, New Mexico
(505) 383-2401 | RichardL.Coffel@state.nm.us www.nmvboc.org
St. Louis, MO – Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
(314) 531-8387 | info@vetbiz.com www.vetbiz.com
Kansas City, MO – Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
(314) 532-8387 | info@vetbiz.com www.vetbiz.com
Billings, MT – Montana, Utah, Wyoming
(406) 869-8411 | brian@bigskyeda.org http://www.bigskyeconomicdevelopment.org/small-business/vboc/
Grand Forks, ND – North Dakota, South Dakota
(701) 777-3700 | und.sbdc.leadcenter@ndus.edu http://business.und.edu/
Sacramento, CA – Nevada, Northern California
(916) 527-8400 | admin@vbocix.org www.vbocix.org
Carlsbad, CA – Southern California
(760) 795-8739 | centerinfo@miracosta.edu www.socalvboc.org
Phoenix, AZ – Arizona
(480) 322-4634 | mevangelesta@turnanewleaf.org www.aweecenter.org
Honolulu, HI – American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii
(808) 988-1236 | vboc@hawaii.edu www.hilo.hawaii.edu/vboc
Seattle, WA – Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon
(206) 324-4330, ext.136 https://businessimpactnw.org/vboc/
Not finding what you need?
Sometimes a webinar works, other times you need to be in person, you may be more comfortable joining a structured group, while others work well with phone consultations. And sometimes you just don’t make a good connection with a person or group. You are not stuck. Many people find a combination of resources helpful. Here are additional sources for information and business assistance in your state:
Your local Secretary of State provides state specific information on starting businesses in your state and registering your business in the state.
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) help with government contracting information.
SCORE chapters provide local classes, seminars, articles and more.
State SourceLinks connect entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses to the local resources they need to start and grow businesses better and faster.
There are 2 bootcamp programs that are held in the mid-west. These are intense business training programs where you join a group and do a combination of at homework and in person training. They are completely free to qualified veterans:
- EVB – Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans at University of Mo – Columbia
- VEP program at Oklahoma State for service disabled veterans bootcamp
Missouri
- Secretary of State – Register your small business
- MO Procurement Technical Assistance Center
- St. Louis SCORE
- All MO SCORE Offices
- EVB – Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans at University of Mo – Columbia
- MOSourceLink
Nebraska
Kansas
Iowa
National
- Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Initiative – Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a program for small businesses that links learning to action. Through the program, participants will gain practical skills in topics such as negotiation, marketing, and employee management that can immediately be put into action. In addition, they will receive the tools and professional support they need to develop a strategic and customized business growth plan that will take their company to the next level. Applicants selected for the education program will receive a world-class business education and connections to a professional support network at no cost.
- V-WISE – V-WISE is a open to all women veterans, active duty female service members and female partners/spouses of active service members and veterans who share the goal of launching and growing a sustainable business venture. Minimal cost involved.
- Patriot Boot Camp (PBC) – PBC’s core program is an intensive three-day event designed to engage, inspire, and mentor Veterans and their spouses, to help them start, innovate, and scale the next generation of technology-focused businesses. PBC provides participants with free education and training in entrepreneurial and business skills, as well as mentorship from successful leaders from the entrepreneurial, military and business communities. PBC hosts its event at no cost to participants in locations across the country.
- VetToCEO – The VetToCEO core program is a seven-week program. You’ll join a group of fellow qualified veterans and Active, Guard, and Reserve military who are either exploring entrepreneurship as a career path choice or aggressively completing their business plan. Programs are designed and facilitated by experienced entrepreneurs who are also veterans, exclusively for veterans of all branches. We offer the program free of charge to qualified/verified members of the military and veterans.
