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!

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 [...]

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.

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 [...]