JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
Service members, veterans and military spouses who see entrepreneurship as an intriguing possibility in their future will have an opportunity to learn more about business ownership during an upcoming workshop.
Boots to Business, a program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program, is set for 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 9-10 at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Military & Family Readiness Center, 555 F Street West, building 693. It is offered on a quarterly basis at each JBSA M&FRC.
“Boots to Business is a two-day 'Introduction to Entrepreneurship’ course that introduces participants to key elements of small business ownership to assist in determining if entrepreneurship is a feasible and practical transition strategy,” said Nina Ramon, SBA San Antonio District Office public affairs specialist.
The course, open to active-duty service members, National Guard members, Reservists, veterans of all eras and spouses, features presenters from the SBA district office, the local SCORE chapter, The University of Texas at San Antonio Small Business Development Center and a local business.
The course benefits participants in a number of ways, Ramon said.
“The curriculum provides assistance to those interested in exploring business ownership or other self-employment opportunities by leading participants through the key steps for evaluating business concepts and providing foundational knowledge required to develop a business plan,” she said. “Participants are introduced to a broad spectrum of entrepreneurial business concepts and the resources available to access start-up capital, technical assistance, contracting opportunities and more.”
Throughout the training, participants are encouraged to work on their personalized feasibility plan, Ramon said.
Modules include Introduction to Business Ownership, Basics of Opportunity Recognition, Market Research, Economics of Small Business, Picking the Correct Legal Entity, Financing the Venture, Introduction to Business Planning and Resources to Support You.
After completing Introduction to Entrepreneurship, participants can elect to further their study through the B2B Revenue Readiness online course delivered through a partnership with Mississippi State University, Ramon said.
“Participants are also directed to additional SBA resources, such as their network of Veterans Business Outreach Centers, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers and SCORE,” she said.
Veterans are ideal candidates for entrepreneurship, and Boots to Business can help them reach their goals, Ramon said.
“We know veterans make great entrepreneurs,” she said. “They have leadership skills, tenacity and discipline required to start and grow businesses. Boots to Business is offered to help them prepare for success and evaluate the opportunities and challenges of entrepreneurship.”
Boots to Business also introduces participants to SBA resources available to access start-up capital, technical assistance and contracting opportunities, Ramon said.
More resources can be found at https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/ovbd/.