Local events highlight ‘Vetrepreneurship’

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Seattle District Office celebrates and empowers service member, veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs and business owners during the sixth annual National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) Nov. 4-8.

“Veterans bring discipline, determination and grit from their military experience into business ownership, qualities that make successful entrepreneurs,” SBA Pacific Northwest Regional Administrator Jeremy Field said. “During National Veterans Small Business Week, we celebrate the contributions veteran-owned small businesses make to our economy; and, aim to connect veterans, military spouses and active service members with no- and low-cost resources to catalyze business growth.”

Nearly one in 10 small businesses is veteran-owned. Collectively, veteran-owned businesses employ 5 million workers and generate $1.1 trillion in receipts.

SBA district offices and resource partners across the U.S. will host business education workshops, conferences and webinars. In Washington, the SBA Seattle District Office will host the following event:

Opportunities and Obstacles for Veteran Businesses

• A panel discussion featuring local successful veteran-owned businesses followed by a small business resource fair

Thursday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

University of Washington Tacoma’s Veterans Incubator for Better Entrepreneurship (VIBE)

Tioga Library Building, Room 307A

1907 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) – an SBA resource partner that provides business training and counseling to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members and military spouses in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington – will host the following live webinars during NVSBW:

Minimizing the Threat Against Data Breaches

A presentation on data security, common security breaches small businesses face and how to minimize risk

Monday, Nov. 4 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Financing Your Veteran-Owned Venture

A discussion of what is real and what is myth when it comes to finding money to start or grow a veteran-owned business

Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Franchising 101

An in-depth look at franchising as a means to business ownership, the legal requirements, and what questions to ask

Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Keys to Successful Network Building in and out of the Military Community

A discussion on tips, tricks, and actionable ways to grow a professional network to start, grow, or manage a veteran-owned business

Thursday, Nov.7 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Marketing Your Veteran-Owned Venture

A presentation on marketing tips, certifications available for veteran-owned businesses and how to leverage them

Friday, Nov. 8 from 12 to 1 p.m.

During NVSBW, the SBA will also share veteran-owned small business success stories and business resources on social media; and, invites others to join the conversation online using the hashtag #VetBiz.

For example, Scott Howe, Marine veteran and founder of Quantum Health and Yoga Lounge in Burlington wanted to secure the future of his business by purchasing the building he was leasing. He turned to the Skagit County Small Business Development Center (SBDC), who helped him better understand his financials and apply for SBA-guaranteed financing. In 2018 Howe purchased the space using the SBA 504 Loan Program. Since completing the purchase in 2018, he has started the initial steps of expanding into a second location in Conway.

For more information about NVSBW and related activities, visit sba.gov/VetBiz.

For more information about business resources for veteran-owned small businesses, visit sba.gov/veterans.

Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.