Dawn Golik and Lorenzo Rios. Photo contributed

Around the Valley and across the country, businesses owned by former military members are an economic powerhouse. There are over 1.76 million veteran-owned businesses in the United States. They employ nearly 5.3 million workers, with an annual payroll exceeding $232 million.  Their approximately $1 trillion dollars in annual sales & receipts has a huge impact on our nation’s economy.

Like all successful missions, small business ownership starts with preparation and readiness. That’s why during this year’s National Veteran Small Business Week (Oct. 31 – Nov. 4) the Clovis Veteran Memorial District has invited a network of community partners — including the Small Business Administration — to help our region’s heroes become entrepreneurs and small business owners.

On Nov. 2, veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members and military spouses can learn how to get going and keep growing as small business owners at Vet Biz Rally Point Summit. Organized and hosted by the Clovis Veterans Memorial, this free event will feature speakers from the SBA and other community partners who will discuss resources to help veteran small businesses start up, scale up and succeed.

Acquiring capital is a key skill that successful veteran business owners need. Vet Biz Rally Point Summit will cover everything that veterans need to know about funding their company, from developing a business plan to finding a loan, and the event will include presentations from SBA lenders. A panel of experts will also discuss how service-disabled veteran owned businesses (SDVOSB) can get a competitive advantage in winning government contracts. The federal government’s goal is to annually award 3% of all federal contracts to SDVOSB. In 2021, SDVOSBs actually received 4.41% of all federal contracting dollars. Studies show that 40% of veteran-owned firms are in construction, retail, and professional, scientific and technical services, which are all industries in high demand for government work. Attendees at Vet Biz Rally Point Summit will learn more about how to get their business certified and access government work. The event will also feature speakers covering other key information that veterans, military members and their spouses need to know as they get their small businesses going and keep them growing. Visit the website for more information on this free event and to register.

Building a successful small business requires hard work and dedication — traits that are in no short supply among the Valley’s thousands of service members, veterans, and military spouses. Time, effort and grit — combined with support from the many organizations that serve veterans, including the SBA, Veteran Business Outreach Centers, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers and SCORE — helps military members launch and maintain profitable companies. Successful business ownership is lifechanging — for veterans, their families, customers and the community. 

During National Veteran Small Business Week, at the Nov. 2 Vet Biz Rally Point Summit, and every day of the year, the SBA, their resource partners and community organizations have resources to support military members and their families as they start up, scale up and succeed as small business owners, helping heroes become entrepreneurs.

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Dawn Golik is director of the Fresno SBA District serving the 15 counties of California’s San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast.  Lorenzo Rios is CEO of Clovis Veteran Memorial District.  For more information about the free Vet Biz Rally Point Summit hosted by the Clovis Veteran Memorial District on November 2, visit the event website.