Start your Veteran Owned Business in 2023
Four helpful New Year's Resolutions to jump start your business
Is 2023 the year you start your veteran-owned business? This is a new year full of new opportunities. January is a key time for planning and mapping out the year ahead. Here are four common New Year’s resolutions for veteran entrepreneurs, plus details on how the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can help you make them a reality.
Resolution 1: Get my business off the ground.
If 2023 is the year you’re aiming to launch your veteran-owned business, there’s no need to navigate the startup process alone. Your VBOC and the SBA can offer key insights and strategies via its Boots to Business (B2B) program.
Start your journey by gaining knowledge. Watch a webinar ( Introduction to Entrepreneurship). Check out a podcast (Virtual Coffee House). You can even join a 6-week small business BootCamp (VetBiz Activate).
The SBA Boot to Business and Boots to Business Reboot (B2BR) classes offer a thousand-foot view of the entrepreneurship journey. You’ll learn how to write an effective business plan, how to obtain funding that will meet your needs, and more. For an extra leg up, you can follow B2B or B2BR with Boots to Business Revenue Readiness. Revenue Readiness is a six-week online course that will empower you to transform your business concept into a fully fleshed-out business model. Check out B2B’s and B2BR’s current course schedules for 2023 here.
Resolution 2: Expand my business expertise.
Periodic training can help you become even more well-rounded as a professional. With that in mind, if you’re looking to hone your business expertise in 2023, sign up for one of the SBA’s veteran entrepreneurship training programs.
The SBA specifically offers training programs for service-disabled veterans, women veterans, and veterans interested in federal contracting. To learn more about available resources and programs for veteran and military family business owners check out our resource page here.
Resolution 3: Flourish with federal contracting.
Whether your goal is to win your first federal contract in 2023 or to expand your existing footprint in the federal marketplace, getting certified by the SBA’s new Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program is an essential first step. Getting SBA-certified as a VOSB or an SDVOSB will enable your business to compete for exclusive government contracting opportunities.
- VA-verified firms: VA-verified firms have one year after their current eligibility period ends before they must get certified by the SBA, as part of a one-time, one-year extension.
- Self-certified SDVOSBs: Self-certified SDVOSBs have a one-year grace period until January 1, 2024 to file an application for certification.
Learn more about the VOSB/SDVOSB certification process here.
Resolution 4: Find a mentor.
Members of the military community inherently understand the power of teamwork. One of the most critical people to have on your small business team is a mentor – someone who is always willing to connect you with key local resources, offer a trustworthy second opinion, and show you the ropes when you need to learn a new skill.
If you’re looking for business mentorship and guidance in 2023, we are your new unit. Our counselors are experts in entrepreneurship and can offer insights tailored to you. Join the unit today!
For additional business tips throughout 2023 and beyond, follow VetBiz (LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) and SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) ( LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook) on social media.
This blog was originally written by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Veterans Business Development.