Creating a Path to Business Ownership for Veterans with Restaurant Experience John Giles has spent his adult life building businesses that last. What began in 1998 with a single restaurant point-of-sale system in his grandmother’s basement grew into a nationally recognized technology company, employing more than 50 people and ranking among the top products in its space before being acquired in 2017. Today, he’s building again through Round 2 POS. But this time, part of the work is focused on opening doors for others, specifically veterans ready to build something of their own. That [...]

Purpose in the Next Mission: Welcoming Dave Diaz to the Veteran Business Project Advisory Board At Veteran Business Project, we work alongside leaders who understand mission, discipline, and what it takes to build something that lasts. Especially when the work is about helping veterans find their footing, their purpose, and their next opportunity. That’s why we’re proud to welcome Dave Diaz as an Advisory Board Member of Veteran Business Project. Dave is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, entrepreneur, and strategic growth leader with more than three decades of experience across technology, media, and business [...]

Leading With Purpose: Welcoming Staci Boyer to the VBP Advisory Board At Veteran Business Project, we are guided by people who understand service, discipline, and what it means to keep showing up for others long after the uniform comes off. That’s why we’re proud to welcome Staci Boyer as a new Advisory Board Member of Veteran Business Project. Staci is a U.S. Navy Gulf War Veteran who served 12 years as a Hospital Corpsman and Surgical Technician. Her service laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to care, leadership, and helping others reach their [...]

Welcoming Jennifer Slown to the Veteran Business Project Board At Veteran Business Project, we believe veterans do their best work when they’re backed by people who understand service, sacrifice, and what it really takes to build something from the ground up. That’s why we’re proud to welcome Jennifer Slown as a new advisory board member at Veteran Business Project. Jennifer is a Marine. She’s also a business owner, connector, and advocate for veteran entrepreneurs. She enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2009, deployed overseas, commissioned as an officer, and continues to serve [...]

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 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., [...]

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. [...]