Legion conducting small-biz workshop during national convention

Legion conducting small-biz workshop during national convention

The American Legion will conduct a two-day entrepreneurial course, called “Boots to Business: Reboot,” to be held in conjunction with its 98th National Convention in Cincinnati August 29-30, and is specifically designed, free of charge, for all veterans and military spouses.

The two-day session intensive entrepreneurship course was created by the Legion in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University. After completing this free course, participants will have the tools and knowledge they need to identify a business opportunity, draft a business plan and launch their enterprise.

“Entrepreneurship is the answer for many veterans who are ready to work for themselves,” said Joe Sharpe, director of the Legion’s National Veterans Employment and Education Division. “According to the SBA, veterans are more likely than non-veterans to start their own small businesses. In fact, one out of 10 small businesses across the US is veteran-owned, and together they generated over $1 trillion in sales last year. The American Legion is doing our part in bringing SBA’s programs to the veterans’ community in order to strengthen the veteran small business industrial base.”

The training will be offered at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. The curriculum includes an introduction to entrepreneurship and skills training, plus detailed information on resources and support programs designed specifically to aid veterans working with the federal government. Business conceptualization, business plan formulation, financial planning, start-up funding, marketing and related topics will be explored as well.

Participants who complete this course will also be provided access to an eight-week online Foundations of Entrepreneurship course offered by IVMF. Completion of the eight-week online course will require approximately 10 hours of study each week and walk participants through the fundamentals of developing a business plan. Both the workshop and online course are free due to funding and support by First Data Corporation and the Marcus Foundation.

Veterans and spouses interested in enrolling in the free entrepreneurship training program can register here. For more about ReBoots to Business, click here.