Whether you’re looking to build an empire or simply find sustainable growth for your small business, you already know it can feel like an uphill battle. In fact, 50% of all small businesses fail after their first five years. By year ten? That number shoots all the way up to 80%. So how can you stack the odds in your favor? July is Military Consumer Month, and we’re here to arm you with resources and knowledge to increase your odds of success. Find information and hands-on support from these programs run by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF).
The Coalition for Veteran Owned Business (CVOB) connects veteran, service member and military spouse-owned businesses with small business resources and solutions, including commerce and supplier opportunities. This includes Fortune 500 member companies committed to increasing opportunity for VOBs by opening up supply chains and additional strategic thinking.
Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-Wise) & Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) helps veterans and military spouses identify their passions and learn the necessary business skills to turn their ideas into thriving business ventures. Online and in-person instruction, coupled with a strong mentoring and support network gives participants the tools to navigate the ups and downs of business ownership. Graduates employ over 4,000 people and have generated $329 million in revenue to date.
CVOB, V-Wise and EBV are excellent resources to help turn your entrepreneurial spirit into tangible success. Not an entrepreneur at heart? Onward to Opportunity in partnership with Veterans Career Transition Program (O2O-VCTP) is offered in collaboration with the Department of Defense as a career training program. It’s offered free of charge to veterans and active servicemembers and military spouses up to six months before separating from the service. With in-person and online options available, there are more than 30 possible career tracks with free certifications and exams. At the end of the program, graduates are guaranteed an interview from one of the more than 400 employer partners.
Take action during Military Consumer Month and learn more about these programs can help you.
