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1.7. How to Start a Veteran Owned Business
The resources in this section will help you understand what it takes to start a business.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has a wealth of information that can help the novice entrepreneur get organized and started.
Topics include:
- Is Entrepreneurship For You?
What characteristics do you need to be an entrepreneur? What does it take to start and succeed in business? Go there - 20 Questions Before Starting
Starting a business can be the most important decision you make in your life. Ask yourself these 20 questions to begin your preparation and planning. Go there - 10 Steps to Starting a Business
These 10 steps can help you plan, prepare and launch your business. Go there - Understand Your Market
To run a successful business, you need to learn about your customers, your competitors and the economic conditions in your industry. Go there - Business Data & Statistics
Get access to data and statistics on your competitors, industry and target customer groups. Go there - Business Types
One of the first decisions you will make is the type of business you will open. Before making your decision, explore the opportunities that are available like a home-based or online business. Go there - Find a Mentor or Counselor
When starting a business, advice from SBA partner organizations such as SCORE Mentors, Small Business Development Centers and Women's Business Centers can help you avoid common pitfalls. Go there
The Veteran Entrepreneur Portal (VEP) is designed to save you time! BusinessUSA makes it easier for small businesses to access Federal services, regardless of its source. VA OSDBU quickly connects Veteran entrepreneurs to relevant 'best-practices' and information. Collectively, VEP offers direct access to the resources necessary to guide every step of entrepreneurship.
Topics include:
- Start a Business
This interactive tool connects you to the right resources specific to your small business objective. Navigate through relevant topics to access information on starting a business. Go there - Access Financing
Use this customized wizard to identify financing resources to support the start-up, development, or growth of your small business. Go there - Grow Your Business
Find out how to successfully expand your small business. Explore dedicated subjects with valuable information and resources to help you grow your company. Go there - Find Opportunities
Become familiar with Federal government contracting programs. Answer a few quick questions in this wizard to find Federal opportunities that align with your small business. Go there - Resources for Veterans
- Access relevant Federal, state, and local programs and services geared toward the Veteran small business. Go there
- Veterans First Verification Program
Learn about Veterans First Contracting Program - VA's unique procurement set-aside and sole-sourcing opportunities. Go there - Doing Business with VA
Learn more about VA small business programs and how to access procurement opportunities. Go there - How to do Business with Federal Agencies
Follow the links to learn how small businesses can access Federal procurement opportunities with each listed agency. Go there - Corporate Partnerships
Corporate Partnership Agreements are designed to help Veteran small business concerns with capacity building, past performance evaluation, and related small business activities. Go there - Franchising Opportunities
Browse a growing list of franchising opportunities available to Veteran small businesses. Go there - Strategic Outreach
Access information tools, requirement resources, and networking opportunities necessary to do business with VA and other Federal agencies. Go there
The Expert Resource Center has marketing content designed to grow small businesses. Optimizing your business in today's digital world can be challenging, small businesses have much more to worry about than just products and services. The Expertise website contains guides for many of today's challenges for small businesses, online and off.
- 100+ Free Online Tools for Businesses and Startups
Who doesn't love free stuff? Check out our list of tools that can help your small business or startup grow, all for no cost. Go there - Reputation Management: Why it Matters and What to Do About It
Today, most personal or professional interactions begin with a simple internet search. This guide will take you through some of the most effective steps for small business owners, students, job seekers, and working professionals to manage, maintain, and improve their online reputation. Go there - 5 Steps to Master Small Business Social Media
Social media should be part of every small business' marketing strategy. This guide will help you decide which platforms to use, what content to post, and how to grow your customer base. Go there - Optimizing Your Website: What Every Small Business Should Know
Every day, millions of people search online for local businesses and services. This resource will help you make fast and easy improvements to your website and SEO strategy. Go there - Ranking in Google Maps: How to Fix Your Local Listings
Small and medium-sized businesses often succeed or fail based on their ability to get found by customers online. Our guide will help you rank in Google Maps and attract customers. Go there