Tony Friel: Leading by Example to Empower Veteran Entrepreneurs We welcome Tony Friel to the Veteran Business Project (VBP) Advisory Board. Friel brings ten years of experience as a Marine Corps Infantry Officer with combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Friel has also been deployed to the Kingdom of Jordan and the Republic of Georgia to train their military officers in combat operations, command, and control. Friel also brings ten years of experience as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer. Friel exemplifies a unique blend of leadership experience and a strong commitment to supporting veterans. His journey of leading Marines and leading complex criminal investigations has instilled practical leadership principles that apply to entrepreneurship. As an active member of the Advisory Board, he is working with VBP to apply these principles to enhance the vharmony program. He recognizes that successful entrepreneurs can incorporate simple leadership principles into their businesses to be successful. By sharing his knowledge, Friel aims to strengthen existing programming and expand VBP's support system, enabling the organization to fulfill its mission of "Offering Hope—Saving Lives" to more veterans. Friel understands the veteran community and recognizes that supporting and nurturing their entrepreneurial ventures is a viable long-term strategy. This approach helps community members grow, flourish, and serve in ways that provide true fulfillment. From daily operations to long-term strategy, he is ready to share his insights and assist veterans in navigating the complexities of business, providing the necessary support and resources for their [...]

LifeCampUSA: Guiding Children of Our Fallen Heroes Life Camp USA mentors middle school-aged youth whose fathers made the ultimate sacrifice in U.S. Military, Law Enforcement, and First Responder service to our nation. At a critical and formative stage of establishing identity, values, character, and goals, these children are left to navigate life without the help of their father. Whether their father was killed in the line of duty, a training accident, or suicide, they seek to walk alongside these young men and young women to guide them in life’s most challenging moments and beyond. During the one-week long program, adventurous wilderness experiences, followed by one to two years of post-camp mentoring, our team guides youth through a focused Bible-based curriculum connected to practical survival skills and life lessons. The fuel for our mission is a mixture of Bible-based principles, applicable life skills, teamwork, and outdoor activities, all led by a hand-selected cadre of mentors, many with military and law enforcement backgrounds. LifeCampUSA youth start their mission equipped with a personalized backpack full of survival tools — the LifeCampUSA Field Guide, a youth devotional book, and a study bible. Apply today to be a camper or a mentor at https://lifecampusa.org/apply-here/

Freedom Sings USA honors Lynn Lowder with premiere of new song, “Christ in Combat” Freedom Sings USA honored Lynn Lowder, our co-founder and CEO, with the premiere of a new song, “Christ in Combat,” at the Nights of Heroes event in Nashville, Tennessee. The song details how Lowder, a Marine infantry officer, found his faith while serving as a team leader with the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company in South Vietnam. Freedom Sings USA is a nonprofit organization that pairs professional songwriters with veterans, military personnel, and their families to help them tell their stories through song. Listen to “Christ in Combat” by clicking the play button below. Listen to the Song!

Partnership Announcement Huntington’s Lift Local Business Program Veterans Business Project (VBP) is excited to announce a partnership with Huntington to bring veterans even more opportunities for small business loans through the Lift Local Business Program. Huntington is the number one small business lender in the country, and they pride themselves on lending that benefits everyone in their community. The Lift Local Business Program includes: Loan amounts from $1,000 to $150,000. Access to capital at a low cost to your business. Zero origination fees. SBA fees paid for by Huntington. Lower credit score requirements. Free financial entrepreneurial courses ($1,500 value) powered by Operation Hope. No monthly service fee to maintain a business checking account with 24–Hour Grace® overdraft and return fee relief. Longer repayment terms to help avoid high payments.   By registering with VBP, veterans and military spouses could gain access to many lending programs that Huntington offers. Contact your VBP Business Coach or register below to begin your journey toward entrepreneurship.