Ask the Vetrepreneur: A short history of veteran entrepreneurship

Veteran entrepreneurship is a longstanding tradition in the United States. Following World War II, millions of veterans became business owners. This “greatest generation” sparked an economic boom, and the nation flourished. Nearly 49 percent of all veterans went on to own or operate businesses, from small manufacturing plants to traditional mom-and-pop shops on the corner of Main Street. Owning a small business was an integral part of the ethos of the time – the American Dream, in which freedom included prosperity and success achieved through hard work, in a society with few barriers.
What does veteran entrepreneurship in America look like today?
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, more than 2.5 million businesses are operated by veterans nationwide. Nearly 25 percent of all returning Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans want to become small-business owners, and possess the same can-do approach to small-business ownership that their predecessors did. They have the discipline, drive, leadership and teamwork skills necessary to make them successful entrepreneurs.
How can I learn more about veteran entrepreneurship?
A great place to start is the Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) paper “Introduction to Business Ownership.” This gives an overview of the relationship between veterans and entrepreneurship, and what veterans can expect as they transition into life as an entrepreneur.

Mark L. Rockefeller is an entrepreneur, attorney and veteran. He is the co-founder and CEO of StreetShares, an online marketplace where investors compete to provide shares of commercial loans to small businesses. StreetShares has been described as “‘Shark Tank’ meets eBay” for small business loans and has secured a commitment of $200 million to fund veteran-owned businesses.
Have a question? Send it to questions@streetshares.com.
Follow Mark on Twitter: @markrockefeller 
or StreetShares @StreetShares