Small Business Administration - Start a Business - Veterans Services @ USC - Research Guides at University of Southern California

US Small Business Administration - Boots to Business Program

Boots to Business is a three-step entrepreneurial education initiative offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as an elective track within the Department of Defense’s revised Training Assistance Program called Transition Goals, Plans, Success (Transition GPS).

The three-step training program includes:

The Entrepreneurship Track Overview (link is external) – a 10-minute introductory video shown during the mandatory five-day Transition GPS course

Introduction to Entrepreneurship – a two-day classroom course offered as one of the three Transition GPS elective tracks
Foundations of Entrepreneurship – an eight-week, instructor-led online course that offers in-depth instruction on the elements of a business plan and tips and techniques for starting a business

Registration and Upcoming Boots to Business Classes information is found at: Office of Veterans Business Development

Boots to Business is delivered in partnership with SBA’s Resource Partners, SCORE Mentors, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University. It is available free of participating installations to service members and their dependents transitioning or retiring from the U.S. military.

To learn more information about Boots to Business, please email us at boots-to-business@sba.gov (link sends e-mail) or call 202-205-6773.

Veteran-Owned Businesses

If you are a veteran or service-disabled veteran, SBA has resources to help you start and grow your small business. From creating a business plan to finding your first customer. This link will take you to the page that has information on Veteran-Owned Businesses. Here you will find resources on how to start, finance or grow your business. In addition, there are links for mentoring and training.

You will find Resources for Veterans on a variety of topics that include: Starting a Business, Growing a Business, Financing a Business, Mentoring & Training, Returning to your Business, and Selling to the Government.

Census Bureau Business Builder: Small Business Edition

The Census Business Builder: Small Business Edition allows small-business owners a way to easily navigate to and use key demographic and economic data to help guide their research into opening a new or expanding their existing businesses. These key data include the most recent and/or relevant data that the Census Bureau provides that are useful to small-business owners. (Census Bureau Fact Sheet)

Determine the Best Location for Your Business by using the Census Business Builder: Small Business Edition

Get Help using Census Business Builder

Frequently Asked Questions about Census Business Builder

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Los Angeles Public Library Veteran Resource Centers

The Los Angeles Public Library System has four Veteran Resource Centers in operation. The Centers, made possible through a generous grant from the California State Library. At all the centers, Veterans and their families can meet with trained volunteers, which are Veterans themselves, and get connected to information and resources regarding health, education, employment, housing, and other benefits that they may be entitled to.

The LAPL Veteran Resource Center page also has a wealth of information from the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CAL VET)

4 Tips to Help Veterans Become Entrepreneurs

Deluxe Enterprise Operations provides 4 Tips to Help Veterans:

1. Build a support network

2. Master the art of self-promotion

3. Unlock funding possibilities

4. Brush up on business skills

The full description of each step is available here.

Job Transition

Our mission is to help students (or other aspiring professionals) understand what it takes to land their perfect career, from picking the right school all the way to climbing the company ladder. We are passionate about creating a one-stop, comprehensive resource that can guide individuals through each of the steps they need to take to begin, further, or change their career path.

Some additional links that may help with your transition:

Returning to Your Career: A Guide to Coping with Career Transition Stress
https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/managing-career-transitions/

How to Personalize Your Hunt for Jobs Online
https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/online-job-search-guide/

How to Nail Your Next Interview
https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/interview-dos-and-donts/

Veterans Services @ USC: Small Business Administration - Start a Business