Veteran Business Mentorship Expands as Naperville Leader Joins Veterans Business Project Advisory Board Arun Vijay Mani brings decades of business experience and a personal commitment to mentorship to support veteran entrepreneurs through VBP’s vharmony program Naperville business leader Arun Vijay Mani has joined the advisory board of Veterans Business Project, a nonprofit based in Chicago that helps veterans become small business owners. Through mentorship, business matching and personalized support, VBP helps service members, veterans and military spouses buy existing businesses and build long-term economic independence. Mani is the founder of Blue Leopard Ventures Inc., a consulting firm that helps entrepreneurs buy, grow and sell businesses, with a focus on veterans and minority founders. He also teaches at North Central College and chairs the Naperville Sister City Commission. “Veterans have the leadership skills, the discipline, the experience, but too often they’re cut off from the networks and resources that make business ownership possible,” said Mani. “That’s the gap VBP fills.” Mani is currently mentoring two veterans through vharmony, VBP’s one-on-one mentorship program that pairs aspiring veteran business owners with experienced professionals. The program provides support with business acquisition, financing and leadership transitions. “Arun shows up for veterans,” said Lynn Lowder, Marine veteran and co-founder of Veterans Business Project. “He’s not in it for the spotlight. He’s in it for the impact.” Veteran-owned businesses play a major role in the U.S. economy, but support is still needed. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, veterans own [...]

Chicago, IL – Veteran entrepreneurs face unique challenges as they transition from military service to running their own businesses. Recognizing the critical role mental health plays in this journey, Veteran Business Project (VBP) has partnered with Canary Speech to offer veteran a revolutionary AI-powered mental health tool designed to support their well-being and long-term success. In a recent roundtable discussion, Lynn Lowder, CEO of VBP, and Henry O’Connell, CEO of Canary Speech, discussed how their collaboration is making an impact. The conversation, moderated by Joe Plenzler, a communications advisor to VBP, highlighted how Canary Speech’s AI technology is helping veterans manage their mental health while balancing the demands of entrepreneurship. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), fewer than half of returning veterans who need mental health care receive it. Untreated conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety not only affect veterans’ personal lives but can also undermine their ability to run a business. Without mental health support, veterans may struggle to focus, make decisions, and maintain their business operations—making timely intervention crucial for success. “What excited VBP about Canary Speech was how easy it is for a veteran to speak into their phone for 40 seconds and, within moments, receive indicators of potential mental health concerns like depression,” Lowder said. Canary Speech’s AI technology analyzes more than 20,000 data points in a voice recording to provide real-time insights into stress, mood, and energy levels. O’Connell explained that “Canary Speech processes approximately 20,548 [...]