Business outreach centers supports local veteran entrepreneurs
Each month, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in Pueblo will feature a veteran and their military experience — and how they continue to serve after transitioning from the military.
Veteran-owned businesses in Pueblo now have a new resource — and access to dozens of other resources — thanks to the Colorado Veteran Business Outreach Center.
The VBOC, as it’s called, opened in May through a partnership with Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center. The organization, an arm of the Small Business Administration, serves to help veterans, transitioning military members, and their families achieve their business dreams.
“We can connect businesses with funding, create a business plan, developing marketing messages and provide resources for startups and for existing businesses,” said Kia Palmer, director of the VBOC.”
It’s a vital resource for the Pueblo County and rural Southern Colorado,” she said.
“We understand that people have business dreams, but sometimes need to know exactly how to start them,” she said. “We can help with that. We can also help businesses that are ready for that next stage – how to scale up, when to make the move and how to finance it.”
Pueblo is fourth in the nation for veteran-owned businesses for cities of similar size, according to recent reports. According to hireahelper.com, nearly 9.3 percent of businesses in Pueblo are owned by military veterans. That makes the VBOC presence in Pueblo vital to the local economy.
Palmer said the VBOC services are open to any veteran, of any era, regardless of length of time served or the type of discharge.
“Our programs – Boots to Business for people transitioning from the military; ReBoot for people who have been out for a while – are available to all veterans,” she said. “We can also help military spouses and family members of veterans.”
VBOC started in May, taking over Colorado’s veteran-owned businesses from neighboring New Mexico. It was one of 28 centers awarded across the nation this spring and created VBOCs in all 50 states for the first time.
The VBOC can even help rural ranchers and farmers get started or grow, Palmer said.
“So often, people have the land and they have the dream, but that business acumen, the business knowledge, that’s what they need,” she said. “And that’s what we are here for. We can help with every stage of a business.”
Since its inception in Colorado, Palmer has been traveling the state, making sure business owners, transitioning military and veterans understand everything the VBOC can do.
The current goal is to make sure that businesses that are certified as veteran-owned, disabled veteran-owned or disadvantaged veteran-owned businesses are all recertified under the SBA. Known as VetCert, the program moves the certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs to the SBA. Without the certification, businesses aren’t eligible for the 7 percent sole-source, set aside contracts from the VA, or the 3 percent set aside contracts from the rest of the federal government.
“So often, people have the land and they have the dream, but that business acumen, the business knowledge, that’s what they need. And that’s what we are here for. We can help with every stage of a business.”
Kia Palmer, VBOC director
“Businesses have until January to move their certification from the VA,” Palmer said. “If you hold any federal contracts, it’s vital to make this change or lose the opportunity to compete for contracts set aside specifically for veterans.”
But the VBOC can do more than just guide businesses through the federal certification and registration process. It can also provide networking opportunities, chances to learn from other veteran-owned businesses to develop networks and shared opportunities.
In January, VBOC will offer Franchise Friday for veterans who own franchises — or those interested in learning more about franchises and the benefits of owning an established brand. It will also start bimonthly conversations about entrepreneurship, mental health and resilience.
“For so many people, owning a business can be draining,” she said. “It’s their dream, but they need to understand it’s a marathon. We want to provide resources so they can achieve their dream without burnout.”
The VBOC’s offices are in Colorado Springs, at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center at 530 Communication Circle and at Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation, where it shares offices with the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center. Pueblo business owners can attend classes at Mt. Carmel in the Springs or make an appointment to meet with Palmer and her team.
“We are very excited to expand our services in Colorado,” Palmer said. “And if you are interested in meeting with us, we’ll come to Pueblo or invite you to classes in Colorado Springs. Our goal is to help your business — and we want to let people know we are here and available to help.”
Register with the VBOC at veteranscenter.org/vboc-register.
Leave a Reply
Read the paper
