Camp Johnson is hosting a two-day course for veterans about the fundamentals of starting a small business from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 1 and 2 at the camp's Regional Training Institute.
Boots to Business is a free Small Business Administration training program for transitioning service members, veterans and family members to assist understanding the steps, stages and activities related to launching and growing a business as a post-military career.
"Military service is a valuable experience that is well suited for the private sector," said Chris Herriman, SBA Vermont District Office Veteran Business Officer. "The skills learned in the military, such as leadership, motivation and work ethic are all traits necessary to be a successful entrepreneur."
The training sessions cover basic economics, financing options, market research, developing a business plan and more. Instructors from SCORE, Vt. Small Business Development Center, Vermont Women's Business Center and Vermont Procurement Technical Assistance Center teach the training sessions. The instructors also provide one-on-one counseling.
Boots to Business started as a pilot program in July 2012 to provide entrepreneurship awareness and training to transitioning service members.
Many choose non-traditional employment after military life, so the goal is to provide the training nationwide to the approximately 250,000 service members who transition to civilian life each year, said Herriman.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, American veterans own 2.5 million businesses, accounting for 9 percent of all businesses nationwide, and employ more than 5.7 million people. Veterans are 45 percent more likely to be self-employed than people with no military experience.
Herriman said there are more than 7,000 veteran-owned businesses in Vermont and many of them are running companies far outside the scope of what they were doing while serving.
"If you are a veteran looking to start a small business, Boots to Business is the best introduction to entrepreneurship," she said.
Camp Johnson is located at 789 Vermont National Guard Road in Colchester, Vt.
For more information or to register, call 802-828-4422 extension 206 or email [email protected].
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