🧾 Facts on Veterans and Entrepreneurship
🟢 Online

National Invest In Veterans Week® is an official observance recognized through National Day Calendar®. This page provides a policy-aware, data-forward overview of veteran entrepreneurship—built for policymakers, researchers, veterans, and stakeholders seeking grounded context.

🏛️ Policy Context
Federal research attention on veteran- and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses has been elevated over time, including through frameworks such as the Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999. The U.S. Small Business Administration and federal statistical sources have supported ongoing measurement of veteran-owned business activity to inform policy and resource allocation.
📊 Key Metrics Snapshot
Veteran-owned firms (snapshot) 2.4M Displayed benchmark on this dashboard
Employees of veteran-owned firms (snapshot) 5.8M Displayed benchmark on this dashboard

Note: These figures are presented as dashboard-level reference points. Official totals vary by source, year, and methodology.

🗂️ Census Benchmark (Historic Reference)
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners (SBO) benchmark (2012, conducted every five years), there were 2.52 million veteran majority-owned businesses, including employers and non-employers. These firms collectively represented a substantial share of U.S. business activity, including receipts, employment, and payroll.

This section is presented as historic context. For the most current federal series, researchers typically reference newer Census/ABS releases and SBA research updates.

🧩 Why This Matters
Veteran-owned businesses are meaningful economic actors—job creators, local market stabilizers, and community anchors. Yet veterans can face unique barriers in entrepreneurship, including capital access, procurement complexity, and network gaps. National Invest In Veterans Week® exists to elevate veteran entrepreneurship and support participation through public awareness, civic recognition, and practical resources.
🧭 Public Participation Objectives
  • Support veteran-owned businesses through purchasing and referrals
  • Promote veteran-owned businesses via social sharing (e.g., #NationalInvestInVeteransWeek / #InvestInVeteransWeek)
  • Encourage workshops and skill-building for aspiring veteran entrepreneurs
  • Partner with a veteran-owned business to help tell their story
  • Nurture veteran startups via grants, fundraisers, services, and recognition
  • Host veteran business gatherings (virtual or in-person)
  • Mentor veteran entrepreneurs with guidance and introductions
🧮 Interactive ROI Tool (Policy-Level)
Interactive Veteran Investment Return Calculator
This educational tool models how public investment in military service can translate into long-term economic contribution when veterans become business owners or community leaders. Inputs include service duration, training cost assumptions, and illustrative post-service business output.
⚠️ Educational Use Only

Results are illustrative, policy-level estimates. They vary materially by industry, geography, firm size, and timeframe. This tool is not financial, legal, or investment advice and should not be used to make investment decisions.

🛰️ This page is designed to serve as a neutral, high-signal reference layer inside the Veteran Economic Intelligence ecosystem: measurable context, transparent assumptions, and actionable pathways for public participation.

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RETAIL_LOGISTICS // SUPPLY_CHAIN_INTEL

ASSET VERIFICATION • NORTH FLORIDA SECTOR
SIGNAL SOURCE MILITARY_MAKEOVER
LOCAL ASSET VICTORY_DISCOUNTS
>> INCOMING BRAND TRANSMISSION
📺
MILITARY MAKEOVER ORIGIN SIGNAL

"National Invest In Veterans Week honors veteran business owners... Veteran-owned small businesses reflect the resilience, dedication, and leadership of those who have served. Veterans continue to shape our economy."

RELAYED BY: Victory Discounts
STATUS: "Doing Great things!!!"
ACCESS SOURCE FEED ↗
SCANNING LOCAL ECONOMY... COMMUNITY VALIDATION DETECTED
TARA PORT [TOP FAN] 💵 ECON_ACCESSIBILITY

"We love to support local... Got some great children’s clothing today that didn’t break the bank and always find something we need."

>> HQ_RESPONSE: "Amazing, you are a great example! #InvestedInVeterans"
JACQUELIN OSBORNE 🆔 OWNER_VERIFICATION

"This store is owned and run by a very patriotic family. The gentleman you see in the store is a proud veteran. Thank you for your service sir."

>> HQ_VALIDATION: "Hands down one of the BEST Veteran-Owned Businesses in North Florida! Larry and his team are amazing!"
JIM FREEMAN ⭐ AMBASSADOR_SIGNAL

"Awesome!"

THE FIVE SATINS • GRAMMY HALL OF FAME
🏆

AWARD_VECTOR // ADVOCACY_CLASS

RECIPIENT TRACKING • JEFF SHUFORD EMPOWERMENT AWARD
TARGET ASSET AARON JONES
STATUS VERIFIED
OFFICIAL_COMMUNIQUE MARCH 11
🅰
A&A ALL THE WAY FOUNDATION OFFICIAL FEED

"Congratulations to Aaron on winning the Jeff Shuford Empowerment Through Advocacy Award from National Invest In Veterans Week 2024! This award recognizes an advocacy resource that has empowered veterans through impact, training, and support services."

CATEGORY: Empowerment
IMPACT: Veteran Transition
VIEW CITATION SOURCE ↗
MONITORING COMMUNITY SIGNAL... SENTIMENT: ELITE
FRANK FAVELA 🛡️ CHARACTER_WITNESS

"Congratulations on earning such a prestigious honor. It shows the class you have in always giving back to those who serve."

NIVW HQ ⚡ COMMAND_VALIDATION

"Aaron's receipt of this award underscores his alignment with the mission of amplifying veterans' voices. It's a fitting tribute to both Aaron's and Jeff Shuford's commitment."

FLORIDA VETERANS 🤝 ALLIED_ENDORSEMENT

"Heartfelt congrats... his dedication to veterans is truly inspiring. His work through the All The Way Foundation paves new paths for veteran support."

TAMIE VERTZ 🙏 SERVICE_HEART

"Always thinking of and giving to others…. Congratulations and thank you."

NANCY BEAULIEU ✅ MORALE_BOOST

"Congratulations, Aaron well deserved! Thank you for all you do for others and especially the Military."

DAVID GUZMAN 🏈 CULTURAL_SIGNAL

"SKOL!!!"