VBOC HELPING VETERANS BECOME ENTREPRENEURS
Fair designed for service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members and family
Wondering the best way to celebrate Veterans Day? The sizable turnout of entrepreneurial-minded veterans gathered at the Veteran Business Resources Fair on Thursday might suggest a clear answer: Supporting veteran-owned businesses.
The Fairfield fair was hosted by Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC), a program director Keli Benham-Anthis says was designed specifically for service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, military spouses and family members wishing to start or grow a business.
Sponsored by the Small Business Association, Benham-Anthis said the number of VBOCs had grown to 28 — all offering a range of services including consulting, business plan development and mentorship.
One such resource is an onbase training workshop called Boots to Business. These condensed, two-day workshops are specifically for transitioning service members, and administer “entrepreneurship by fire hose,” Benham-Anthis jokingly said.
In addition to outlining the logistical ways VBOC can support veterans along their business journey, Benham-Anthis emphasized the power of identifying the business as a “veteran-owned” business.
“Everyone wants to work with veterans right now,” she said encouragingly, citing the number of last year's Super Bowl commercials that featured veteranowned businesses.
As a veteran, the transition to entrepreneurship is more than adding the respected label, Benham-Anthis's co-presenter Kevin Hendon added. Hendon highlighted the skills veterans cultivate during active service that are directly applicable when entering entrepreneurship, some of which included resilience, persistence, critical thinking, problem solving and mission focus.
As Benham-Anthis led introductions, participants bonded over their shared branches of service, as well as their unique stage in their entrepreneurial journey. While some attended with the goal of business certification or developing a business plan, others simply wanted to hear ideas and network.
For Cameron Macias, who traveled from Travis Air Force Base to attend the business fair, these in-person, local resources provided a welcome alternative to seeking answers online.
“There's a lot of times where we don't know where to go,” Macias said, noting how the internet can be helpful but often daunting.
“It's nice to have this opportunity to have faces and names.”
Businesses ranged from IV infusions for treating PTSD and juice bars to barbecue and landscaping, each at a different stage of development. As one of the more established entrepreneurs, Macias says his goal was to receive business evaluation as well as guidance on the steps necessary to ensure his business was operating legally.
“Most of us have been working for somebody else for anywhere from six years to … well, I'm 171/2 years in, so when I get out I kinda want to take my own orders,” Macias said, adding how it will be nice to have the freedom and flexibility to decide where he and his family move.
Attendees Thursday, as well as prospective clients, can anticipate a more permanent local resource come January. Set to share the space with SBDC, Small Business Development Center, VBOC will add the site of its Thursday resource fair as one of its new offices.
“Everyone wants to work with veterans right now.” — Keli Benham-Anthis, Veteran Business Outreach Center program director