Veterans Business New-Start Referral Roadmap

This site is designed to assist veterans who have a desire to go into business fo rthemselves as opposed to having a job. There is a large difference. The model entrepreneur has the following traits:

• Desire / Passion
• Initiative / Aggressiveness
• High Energy
• Low Support Needs
• Thrives On Ambiguity
• Perseverance
• Responsibility
• Solved Problems
• Persuasiveness
• Self-Discipline
• belief in Value of Money
• Self-Confidence
• Balanced Ego
• Market Awareness
• Generosity
• Honesty
• Good People Judgement
• Patience
• Business Knowledge

Business Conditions

Some questions to ask yourself before you direct the energy needed to enter into the business world as follows:

• Is my idea practical? Will it fit a need?
• Can I develop a practical plan with a solid foundation?
• Do I have the dedication and willingness to sacrifice to reach my goal?
• Do I have the technical skills?
• Do I have the basic knowledge of management, finance, record keeping, and market analysis?
• Do I have the initiative and energy to obtain technical and business knowledge if I'm short on those areas?
• Am I ready to work 12-16 hours each day, six days weach week, even Sundays and Holidays if necessary?
• Do I have the physical stamina to handle the workload and schedule?
• Do I have the emotional strength?
• Am I prepared to temporarily lower my standards of living until my business is established?
• Is my family prepared?
• Will my product / service be competitive and in a market where demands exceed supply?

Evaluate Yourself

• I do things on my own - self-starter
• I like people - get along with everyone
• I can lead
• I like to take charge - responsible
• I like to have a plan - lined up organizer
• I am a good worker - as long as it takes
• I can make decisions
• People can always trust what I say
• I stick with it - nothing stops me
• my health is good - never runs down
• I'm ready to rock and roll into the business world

So... You've been through the above traits, business conditions, and personal characteristics. There is no score. These are there to help distinguish between goiing into business and keeping your job. The ball is in your court.

Serious

If you think you have passed the test, press on as follows:

Step I	Go to sba.gov Starting Your Business
Step II	Go to Network Business Resources that will assist in getting you started, as follows: Veteran Business Development Officers (VBD Officers) sba.gov/VETS/reps.html Small Business Devlopment Centers (SBDCs) sba.gov/sbdc/sbdcnear.html SCORE score.org/findscore/ Women's Business Centers sbw.gov/wbc.html Native American Affairs sba.gov/naa/ Small Business Training Network sba.gov/training/ Reserve and Guard Tools sba.gov/reservists/ Hire a Veteran hirevetsfirst.gov/committee.asp PNHVC website
Step III	Go to networked capital / financing resources, as follows: Basic 7(a) Loan Program sba.gov/financing/ CDC / 504 Loan Program sba.gov/financing/sbaloan/cdc504.html Microloans sba.goc/financing/sbaloan/microloans.html Surety Bond sba.gov/financing/bonds/whatis.html International Trade sba.gov/oit/ Military Reservists Economic Injury Disaster Loans sba.goc/disaster_recov/loaninfo/militaryreservist.html Small Business Investment Corporations sba.gov/INV/
Step IV	If interested in government contracting, go to network resources, as follows: Office of Federal Contract Assistance for Veteran Business Owners sba.gov/GC/indexprograms-vets-html/ HUBZone Program sba.gov/hubzone/ 8(a) business Development Program sba.gov/8abd/ Technology - SBIR / STTR Program sba.gov/sbir/ Contract Assistance for Women-owned Businesses sba.gov/sdb/ Small Disadvantaged Businesses sba.gov/sdb/ Procurement Center Representatives sba.gov/GC/pcr.html Commercial Market Representatives sba.gov/GC/indexcontact-crms.html Procurement Technical Assistance Centers aptac-us.org/ dla.mil/db/procurem.htm
Step V	Go to if one of these network resources are needed Department of Veterans Affairs va.gov/ Vocational rehabilitation and Employment Services vba.gov/bln/vre/ Department of Labor dol.gov Office of Veterans Employment and Training Services dol.gov/programs/empserv/employment_services_fshtm/ Office of Disability Policy Initiatives dol.gov/odep/ National Veterans Business Development Corporation vetscorp.org/

Absolute good luck on your journey!