Veteran Business Project Welcomes New Mentor and Business Coach, Robert Eickhoff Veteran Business Project (VBP) proudly welcomes Robert “Rob” Eickhoff as its newest Mentor and Business Coach. VBP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to “Offering Hope – Saving Lives” by empowering veterans and military spouses to become business owners. A Vietnam-era veteran and former paratrooper with the 82 nd Airborne Division, Eickhoff understands the challenges service members face after leaving the military. His goal as a VBP coach is simple: to help veterans find renewed purpose and self-reliance through entrepreneurship. “Rob’s career reflects exactly what Veteran Business Project stands for,” said Lynn Lowder, co-founder and CEO of VBP. “He believes that when veterans are given the right tools, they achieve remarkable things. That belief fuels everything we do at VBP, from one-on-one coaching to helping veterans launch real businesses that change lives.” “Rob brings a combination of military discipline, business leadership and genuine heart for service that makes him an incredible addition to our mentor network,” added Dale Eisenberg, co-founder of VBP. “He understands what it means to serve and how to turn that same drive into success in business.” Eickhoff is a graduate of Northern Illinois University who, with his wife, Nikki, founded the Eickhoff Family Veterans Scholarship to provide emergency financial aid to veteran students in need. Over 15 years, the scholarship raised $65,000 and helped 35 veterans continue their education. Professionally, Eickhoff spent more than three decades in senior operations leadership with [...]

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 [...]

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.