Megan Tamez, Director of the Veteran Entrepreneur Program (VEP) at the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), is passionately committed to empowering veterans to succeed in business. Megan’s journey with the TVC began in September 2014, following her return to Texas as a veteran and military spouse. The TVC provided crucial support during this transition by helping Megan find her calling with a position assisting fellow veterans, eventually leading her to helm the VEP in May 2022.
The Veteran Entrepreneur Program is a specialized initiative within the Texas Veterans Commission that provides comprehensive support, resources, and guidance to veteran entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey, from startup to growth and expansion.
The Veteran Entrepreneur Program stands out for its peer-based support system, which includes accredited small business consultants who are, themselves, veterans. This approach ensures that VEP consultants deeply understand the unique challenges veteran entrepreneurs face. VEP offers a range of services, from verifying veterans’ eligibility for the Texas Veteran Verification Letter, which waives state formation fees and the first five years of franchise tax, to certifying businesses as TVC-verified veteran-owned.
Megan and her team are committed to making the entrepreneurial process as smooth as possible for veterans. This year, each member of the Entrepreneur Program became certified as a small business consultant through the Association of Accredited Small Business Consultants (AASBC), enhancing their ability to provide expert guidance. The VEP program has also restructured its operations and improved its online database, significantly reducing wait times and enabling more efficient service delivery.
Outreach is a critical component of VEP’s strategy. The program actively conducts presentations, classes, and events, working with community partners across Texas to share TVC’s mission and resources. This proactive approach ensures that veterans across the state are aware of and can access the support they need to launch and grow their businesses.
Megan’s leadership is guided by a deep commitment to the holistic success of veteran entrepreneurs. VEP’s mission is not just about business success; it’s about empowering veterans to leverage their unique skills and experiences to build thriving enterprises that contribute to their communities. Megan explains, “Through our core values of professionalism, integrity, compassion, commitment, and teamwork, VEP strives to assist veterans who seek to propel themselves and their businesses in the State of Texas. Our veterans are not an Army of One.”
For those interested in learning more or getting involved, VEP hosts a free, virtual Lunch & Learn on the second Wednesday of each month from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Veterans and supporters can also subscribe to the VEP’s newsletter and explore upcoming events by visiting https://tvc.texas.gov/entrepreneurs.
