SBA has entrepreneur training for veterans
Veterans and their spouses are invited to participate in a oneday “Boots to Business Reboot Workshop” on Jan. 28.
UPPER MERION >> Veterans and their spouses have an opportunity to participate in a one-day “Boots to Business Reboot Workshop” being offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Eastern Pennsylvania District Office.
The day-long workshop will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the SBA’s office at 660 American Ave. in Upper Merion. It is taught by subject matter experts and designed to provide participants with an overview of business ownership, the components of a business plan and an introduction to resources that are available to veteran entrepreneurs.
“As a veteran and current Reservist, it is evident that veterans have the character, discipline and skills needed to succeed as small business owners and entrepreneurs,” Shannon Degiglio, SBA Veteran Business Development Officer, said in a statement. “Vetrepreneurs are not only veterans who have chosen to serve our nation’s national defense at great personal risk, they have also chosen to serve their communities by building successful businesses that support our nation’s economy and create jobs.”
The Boots to Business Reboot program was started in 2014 by the Small Business Administration, according to Sonia Smith, a spokeswoman for the agency’s Eastern Pennsylvania District Office. She added that since its inception, 386 veterans have gone through the program, which is offered several times each year.
Most recently, the workshop was offered at Penn State Schuylkill during National Veterans Small Business Week in November 2019, and at the Lehigh
Valley CareerLink in Allentown in May 2019, according to Smith.
“I encourage veterans of all eras, service members (including members of the National Guard and Reserve) and their spouses to participate in Boots to Business Reboot,” Steven Dixel, director, SBA Eastern Pennsylvania District, said in a statement. “Each year, SBA assists thousands of veterans, Reservists, and National Guard to start and grow their small businesses. Nearly one in every 10 American busi
nesses today is owned by a veteran and veteran-owned businesses employ nearly six million workers, so it’s not just the right thing to do, it’s important for the economy.”
The program is geared for all veterans — whether they are thinking of a business, have started a business, or are growing their business, according to Smith. She added that while veterans make up 8 percent of the U.S. population, they are twice as likely to own a business.
Participants in the nocost Jan. 28 event will hear presentations from SBA partners skilled in veteran entrepreneurship, including the Temple University Small Business Development Center. They will also have the opportunity to hear from a local veteranowned business.
Upon completion, the participants can take online entrepreneurial courses through the University
of Mississippi, according to Smith. They can also work one-on-one with Degiglio, to develop the next steps in their entrepreneurial journey.
The workshop runs from