SBA program supports veteran entrepreneurs

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has achieved significant milestones in its efforts to support veterans transitioning to business ownership.

The SBA’S educational initiative, Boots to Business (B2B), and its Revenue Readiness course, hosted by Mississippi State University, have collectively made remarkable strides in preparing veterans, service members, and military spouses for the entrepreneurial journey.

In a recent achievement, the Boots to Business Revenue

Readiness (B2B RR) program celebrated its 3,000th graduate in November 2023, the SBA announced via news release.

The six-week course, aimed at developing comprehensive business plans, has been pivotal for participants in refining their business models through interactive virtual discussions and feedback from experienced instructors.

Since its inception seven years ago, the program has been instrumental in guiding graduates to the next phase of their business ownership journey.

Shannon Arick, a graduate from West Point, Mississippi, emphasized the importance of the training received through B2B RR, likening it to the crucial training in the military that determines the success or failure of a mission.

Arick highlighted the program’s role in providing a solid foundation for establishing and maintaining a successful business.

The SBA also reported that over 1,200 B2B and B2B Reboot classes were conducted in Fiscal Year 2023, both in person and virtually.

These courses, available through SBA district offices, resource partners, and grant partners, have been updated to include new modules, exercises, and more comprehensive materials to better serve participants.

Patrick Fitzpatrick, a spokesperson for the SBA, noted the challenges many participants face, such as making life-changing decisions about relocation, housing, and income, while attending the B2B courses.

He stressed the long-term value of the resources offered by the Veterans Business

Outreach Center (VBOC) and the SBA’S network, reminding veterans that they are not alone in their entrepreneurial journey.

The SBA encourages interested veterans, service members, and their spouses to explore the B2B program as a valuable resource for gaining the necessary tools and mentorship for business ownership.

For more information on course schedules and resources, visit the SBA’S website at sba.my.site.com.