Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the celebration of National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW), scheduled for November 11-15. The SBA, which supports over 34 million small businesses nationwide, will highlight the entrepreneurial spirit of veterans, service members, National Guard members, Reservists, and military spouses during this week.
"Each year during National Veterans Small Business Week, the SBA highlights the unique entrepreneurial spirit of veterans, service members, National Guard members, Reservists and military spouses," said Administrator Guzman. "America is the proud home of millions of veterans, service members, and military families. They are our neighbors and friends – and in many cases, the owners and employees of local small businesses we love and support."
The SBA will host virtual and in-person events across the country on topics such as military-to-civilian transition assistance, entrepreneurial training, government contracting, disaster assistance, and access to capital resources. The event calendar provides details on local, regional, and national events.
Two national webinars will be hosted by the SBA for NVSBW. On November 13 at 1 p.m. ET., a two-hour virtual workshop titled "Are You Lender Ready? For the Military Community" will assist veteran entrepreneurs with business loan applications. Another webinar called "Certification Advantage for the Military Community" will take place on November 14 at 1 p.m. ET., focusing on federal contracting certifications to aid business growth.
As part of NVSBW celebrations this year, five instructors from Boots to Business are being recognized as Instructors of the Year:
- Todd Bennett from South Korea
- Manzel McGhee from Abilene SBDC
- Mitchell Fitzpatrick from St. Louis VetBiz VBOC
- David Terrell from Southern Arizona SCORE
- Eric Phillips from SBA Colorado District Office
The recognition ceremony for these instructors will occur virtually on November 21 at 1 p.m. ET.
The SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development works through its resource partner network to provide programs like Boots to Business (B2B) aimed at entrepreneurship training for service members and their families.