Dan Thompson's remarkable journey from serving in the U.S. Navy to establishing a thriving fitness equipment repair company is inspirational. Like many veterans, Dan's story is rooted in a profound desire to serve, and his transition from military life to entrepreneurship is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the value of following one's instincts.
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 [...]
For Immediate Release Monday, August 5, 2024 Contacts: Meredith Krantz Media Relations (630) 947-2385 meredith@krantzstrategies.com Caitlyn Brooksby VP Marketing & Strategic Partnerships caitlyn@canaryspeech.com Veteran Business Project and Canary Speech Unite to Transform Veteran Entrepreneurship with Groundbreaking Mental Health AI Technology Innovative partnership delivers cutting-edge vocal biomarker technology to veteran entrepreneurs, empowering them to enhance mental health and business success Chicago, IL, August 5, 2024 — In a groundbreaking collaboration, Veteran Business Project (VBP), a nonprofit champion of veteran entrepreneurship, and Canary Speech, the leading AI-powered voice biomarker health tech company that uses real-time vocal analysis to screen for mental health and neurological disorders, have partnered to equip veteran entrepreneurs with revolutionary tools to manage their mental health, enhancing their business success and overall well-being. Utilizing Canary Speech’s proprietary AI technology through an app, a 40 second voice recording processes millions of data points in a person’s speech and reports back results of their stress, mood, and energy levels immediately. This real-time assessment allows veterans to monitor their mental health effectively, understand potential mental health triggers, and receive personalized wellness recommendations. This initiative gives veterans the tools to actively manage their mental health and focus more effectively on achieving their business objectives. “This partnership with Canary Speech aligns seamlessly with our mission of 'Offering Hope, Saving Lives,'” said Lynn Lowder, CEO and Founder of Veteran Business Project. “By equipping our veterans with cutting-edge technology, we’re not just enhancing their ability to succeed [...]
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Progressive Keys to Progress Vehicle Giveaway Progressive's Keys to Progress® vehicle giveaway program has provided over 1,000 veterans with reliable transportation since 2013, helping them get back on the road and move forward. This year, the Veteran Business Project is pleased to partner with Progressive to help identify veteran recipients needing a vehicle. In November vehicles will be given away across the United States, with the goal of reaching recipients in all 50 states. Progressive plans to gift an estimated 50-100 vehicles to veterans and their families, as well as some active-duty members, Gold Star spouses/domestic partners, veteran-owned businesses, and non-profit organizations. Program Highlights: Types of Vehicles: Vehicles for Personal Transportation and Commercial Vehicles Application Deadlines: Vehicles for personal transportation: Friday, Aug. 1, 2025 Commercial vehicles: Friday, Aug. 1, 2025 If you're a veteran interested in this opportunity, please complete the contact form below. We will send you information on the program. Applications for this year are now closed.
City of Chicago and Veteran Business Project Partner to Launch New Certification Assistance for Veteran-Owned Businesses City of Chicago and Veteran Business Project Partner to Launch New Certification Assistance for Veteran-Owned Businesses Program to help Veterans become certified to compete for City contracts CHICAGO, IL – The City of Chicago proudly announces a major partnership with Veteran Business Project (VBP), marking a major milestone in the city’s continued commitment to empower veterans and stimulate economic growth. This initiative aims to assist local veterans in becoming Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) certified so they can take advantage of the City of Chicago veteran programs and incentives. "At Veteran Business Project, we see firsthand the power of entrepreneurship in the lives of veterans. Our collaboration with the City of Chicago, led by Mayor Brandon Johnson and his administration, exemplifies our commitment to empowering veterans through strategic partnerships. Together, we aim to connect more veterans with business opportunities and provide ongoing support throughout their entrepreneurial journey,” said Lynn Lowder, CEO and Co-Founder of VBP. “Together, we can continue to build momentum in offering hope and building brighter futures for our veterans.” "By designating Veteran Business Project as an Assist Agency, we're making it easier for veteran-owned businesses to get certified and actively work toward increasing the number of veterans certified,” said Kevin Barszcz, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs. “Our goal is to help more of them secure city contracts successfully, and VBP's strong connection with veterans positions [...]
The City of Chicago proudly announced a major partnership with VBP, marking a significant milestone in the city's continued commitment to empower veterans and stimulate economic growth. This initiative aims to assist local veterans in becoming Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) certified to take advantage of the City of Chicago veteran programs and incentives. "Our collaboration with the City of Chicago, led by Mayor Brandon Johnson and his administration, exemplifies our commitment to empowering veterans through strategic partnerships. Together, we aim to connect more veterans with business opportunities and provide ongoing support throughout their entrepreneurial journey," said Lynn Lowder, CEO and Co-Founder of VBP. VBP will assist veterans in applying for certifications, making it easier for more veterans to discover and gain access to these opportunities. Through this program, veteran-owned businesses can access various city contracts spanning industries such as construction, work services, professional services, and information technology. If you are a veteran interested in taking advantage of this initiative, we encourage you to register today. Register Today You can access the official Press Release for this announcement here.
Veteran Business Project provides support for veterans on their road to becoming business owners. Last year, an Air Force veteran, Luke McDonald, contacted VBP with questions about purchasing a martial arts studio. We are pleased to highlight Luke’s story on his successful path to business ownership. Luke’s brother, Dane, first learned about the opportunity to purchase the Brick City Martial Arts from the previous owner, whom he trained under. Today, Luke and his brother co-own the martial arts studio. Most of the self-defense studio’s students are youth who range in age from 3-13. The studio excels with this age group by making classes fun and engaging while keeping the traditions of the arts embedded in their training. Adult martial arts classes are offered, ranging from beginners to advanced students, and for those looking for group-training workouts, classes like cardio kickboxing are available. Luke began martial arts classes at the age of ten and competed nationally for three years. Luke credits the martial arts classes and his instructors with providing him with more confidence and shaping him into the person he is today. After his military service, Luke planned to open a gym. But, when he heard about the opportunity to purchase the studio, Luke decided to turn his passion for martial arts into a career. Luke advises other veterans not to discount their passions or the skills they’ve acquired throughout the years. "Knowing that I had a group [...]
While VBP's mission, "Getting Veterans Into Business," describes what we do, our "why" is especially important.
Veteran’s Voices: America’s heroes share their stories on Veterans Day | Morning in America
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