OUR MISSION | STORY
OUR MISSION
Veteran Business Project promotes veteran small business ownership opportunities by getting military, veterans, and spouses into business. We educate active duty military, veterans, business owners, financial institutions, public and private sectors, the general public, and legislators on the necessity for pro-veteran small business ownership and accompanying, realistic federal and state business lending programs. Veteran Business Project then connects these groups to facilitate veterans’ small business ownership.
OUR STORY
Veteran Business Project is dedicated to solving the problem of veteran unemployment in America by helping entrepreneurial veterans get into business for themselves. The fact that unemployment among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans exceeds the national average is a national disgrace. As a nation, we haven’t done a great job in welcoming our veterans home.
Over the next five (5) years, more than 1,000,000 veterans will leave active duty – a number not seen since the end of World War II. We have to do more than just say, “Thanks for your service.” We need to take decisive action to truly welcome our veterans home and help them integrate back into our communities.
A great way to do this is by making sure they can secure a future for themselves and their families — by owning their own businesses. With the help of our grassroots movement and motivated people all across America, we are making a difference…Getting Veterans Into Business!
If you’re a veteran or a military spouse and would like to begin investigating business ownership, register here! You’ll also receive ongoing News and Events updates.
If you’re a business, and would like to potentially sell your existing business to a veteran, register here! You’ll also receive ongoing News and Events updates.
For News and Events updates only, register here
In the News
From Navy Machinist to Fitness Entrepreneur: The Story of Dan Thompson and Huff-n-Puff Fitness Repair
From serving on the USS Camden to building a successful fitness equipment repair business, Dan Thompson's story is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit found within many veterans. His transition from military life to business ownership demonstrates the resilience, adaptability, and determination that often characterize those who have served their country.
Air Force Veteran Becomes Co-Owner of Brick City Martial Arts with Help from Veteran Business Project
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 [...]
Hooked On Books
For many book lovers, owning a bookstore is a dream come true. For Joseph and Mikayla Shearer, that dream has become a reality. The couple recently purchased Hooked on Books, a beloved independent bookstore at 3918 Maizeland Road in Colorado Springs.
Veterans Business Project Helps Build A Dream For A Veteran Wanting To Build Log Homes.
Gregg Reinbold is a veteran who was born and raised on a family dairy farm in Western New York. As a young man, he always dreamed of having his own business. He even had his own hay baling business while [...]
Korner Beehive
From military deployments, to opening a much-needed local coffee shop back home in Villa Grove, Illinois, veterans, and best friends Mary Kite and Beth Floyd Jenkins took their knowledge of “service” to the next level. After deployments and returning home, [...]
Chicago Fire Boat Tours
Navy veterans Ray Novak and Erich Totsch had a dream of purchasing and converting the 1930s-era Fred A. Busse firefighting boat that served Chicago for many decades. Their vision was to bring the relic back to life and provide historic [...]