NVBDC honors Military and Veteran Service Organizations that have partnered with us to demonstrate a systematic commitment to improving the opportunities for Service-Disabled and Veteran-Owned Businesses (SD/VOBs), their families and their communities. The primary role of NVBDC’s Military and Veteran Organization Task Force (MVO Task Force) is to focus on pursuing and achieving tactical and strategic objectives by partnering with organizations having equal goals to help Veteran Businesses. NVBDC’s MVO Task Force leadership, Keith King, CEO, Brigadier General (ret) Dick Miller and LTC (ret) Kathy Poynton, Director are building the task force to extend the reach and understanding of corporate certification standards for NVBDC programs.
“Our aim is to work with the MSO/VSO’s economic development leaders to identify their Veteran business owner members and provide them with information about NVBDC and the importance of certification, while creating reciprocal business relationships that will enhance our values and directives as a Veteran business support agency.” LTC (ret) Kathy Poynton
NVBDC’s MVO Task Force enables our organization to collaborate resources with our members to increase awareness and join together to establish a respected position in the industry supporting Veteran success in business. We currently have 18 Members and 2 honorary members. We are proud to announce our newest member VetBizCentral.
VetBizCentral is an organization under the Small Business Administration (SBA) that assists veterans, active-duty service members, and Guard and Reserve members in the formation and expansion of their businesses. VetBizCentral services Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Active Military Bases with their boots to Business program. They offer entrepreneurial training and counseling services, networking opportunities, mentoring programs and activities, advocacy services and procurement counseling for veterans and service members to assist them in the formation and expansion of their businesses. The Center helps Veterans establish working relationships with other agencies and enterprises which, in turn, assist veterans in accomplishing their entrepreneurial goals. VetBizCentral has maintained their focus on education, advocacy, and providing clients with resources to become successful.
“Veterans helping veterans start, grow, or expand businesses since 2006,” said Matt Sherwood, VetBizCentral Business Consultant.
VBOCs (Veteran Business Outreach Centers) conduct entrepreneurial development workshops dealing specifically with the major issues of self-employment. An important segment of these workshops entails the usage of the internet as a tool for developing and expanding businesses. Each client is afforded the opportunity to work directly with a business counselor. Every fall since 2006, VetBizCentral has sponsored a daylong conference at various venues across Michigan. Besides informative speakers, there are a host of various break-out sessions. Also, it has become a great networking opportunity for members. VBOCs main goal is to assist clients in assessing their entrepreneurial needs and requirements. VBOCs can assist clients in developing and maintaining a five-year business plan, provide assistance in identifying and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the business plan to increase the probability of success, and conduct on-site visits with clients to ensure adherence to their business plans. Additionally, VBOCs review monthly financial statements to determine whether a revision of the business plan is warranted or that desired results are being attained. VBOCs also can provide assistance and training in such areas as international trade, franchising, internet marketing, accounting, and more.
VetBizCentral’s “Boots to Business” program is held on active military bases as part of the Transition Assistance Program. This 2-day event introduces transitioning service members to the concept of entrepreneurship and understanding the skills and experience they gained in the military translates directly into successful small business ownership. Boots to Business (B2B) is an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP). B2B provides participants with an overview of business ownership and is open to transitioning service members (including National Guard and Reserve) and their spouses. Educational learning sessions are specifically designed to address the needs of Veterans and Veteran family members interested in starting a business, to a seasoned entrepreneur. The VBOC does not lend money directly to small business owners. Instead, they inform clients on guidelines for loans made by SBAs partnering lenders, community development organizations, and micro-lending institutions. They provide counseling to reduce risk for lender and makes it easier for clients to access capital. That makes it easier for clients to access capital to achieve small businesses goals.
