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More than 1.6 million service personnel have transitioned from military and Department of Defense employment to the civilian workforce in recent years. This does not include the 60,000 military members who are expected to return from Afghanistan by the end of next year. “This is where veterans starting businesses is so critical,” said veteran Phillip Selleh, who has entrepreneurial experience. “Veterans are used to taking risks, used to running large-scale operations, used to managing people, resources and money, and used to doing everything possible to make sure the mission is accomplished. They have all of the qualities of a entrepreneur, and veterans have to start taking care of other veterans.” There are several resources for veterans returning to the civilian workforce and considering starting a business, including: VA Accelerator: This program provides an online learning environment of eight curricula and five programs that focus on entrepreneurship, franchise ownership and employment. Veterans can also receive mentoring and other services. Veteran Entrepreneur Portal: Run by the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, it gives links to resources for financing and instructions on winning VA contracts. Small Business Administration’s Veteran-Owned Business Programs: Among its resources are specialized financing programs, such as the Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative and the Operation Boots to Business initiative. SBA has a number of Veteran Business Outreach centers and an Office of Veterans Business Development. VetFran: The International Franchise Association (IFA) runs the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, otherwise known as VetFran. The initiative includes more than 530 IFA franchiser member companies that offer financial incentives, training and mentoring to veterans interested in small business ownership or franchising. For more info, click here
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