National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 Celebrates Veteran Entrepreneurship and Success

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023, a week-long celebration of veteran entrepreneurship and success, successfully promoted and advocated for the growth of veteran-owned businesses. From March 1st to March 7th, 2023, thousands of veteran business supporters, government agencies, and lawmakers participated in various events and activities in partnership with Action Zone Tampa.

The week kicked off with a special event in partnership with 1MC Tampa, where veteran business owners pitched their businesses to the community in search of advice, suggestions, and referrals to the resources they need to grow their businesses. The event was well-attended, and the veteran business owners received valuable feedback that they can leverage to take their ventures to the next level.

Other events featured several notable speakers, including Dewayne Kimble, an expert in the VA disability process, who led an information session titled "Understanding Your Disability Rating." In this session, veteran entrepreneurs learned how to get the most out of their VA claims and the resources available to them through the VA.

Throughout the week, National Invest In Veterans Week® celebrated the successes and achievements of veteran entrepreneurs across the country. One of the highlights of the week was the recognition of top achievers through the Veterans in Business Excellence Award, which recognized JDog Brands, a veteran-owned business that has demonstrated outstanding success, innovation, and impact in their industry, inspiring and empowering other veterans to pursue entrepreneurship.

The middle of the week saw various panel discussions that provided valuable insights into the resources available to veterans and their families to help them cope with the unique challenges they face. Troy Howell, MD, with the James A. Haley Veteran’s Administration, served on a Suicide Prevention Resources panel. Dr. Shane Smith, Director of Central Florida for the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, also participated in a panel discussion that focused on local resources for veterans and their families.

On the second to the last day, the VFW Post 4321 held a Military Spouse Networking event, followed by a talk from Kelly Douglas of the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE) at the SOCOM Resource Center at MacDill Air Force Base. These events were aimed at providing military spouses with valuable resources and information that can help them navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.

The week also featured a powerful panel of Veteran Service Organizations that delivered a message of hope to the many veterans in attendance who were looking to learn more about the VA Healthcare System. The panel discussed the various resources available to veterans and their families, including healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

• Champion of Veterans Entrepreneurship Award: Governor Greg Gianforte

• Trailblazer in Veteran Hiring Award: Bruce Thompson

• Veterans in Business Excellence Award: JDog Brands

• Empowerment Through Education Award: Action Zone Tampa

• Social Impact Action of the Week Award: A&A All The Way Foundation

• Social Media Influencer of the Week Award: EnergyUnited

• Veteran Advocate of the Week Award: Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General

These awardees were recognized for their significant contributions and impact in promoting veteran entrepreneurship, employment, education, social impact, and advocacy. Congratulations to all the winners!

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 was a remarkable success, with events and activities that helped aspiring veteran business owners gain valuable insights, network with other entrepreneurs, and access the resources they need to grow their businesses. It was an inspiring demonstration of the power of community and collaboration, and it serves as a shining example of how we can all work together to support our nation's veterans and their families.

For more information on National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 and how you can get involved, visit the official website at www.investinveteransweek.com.

Action Zone Tampa Celebrates National Invest In Veterans Week®: Honoring Veteran-Owned Businesses and Empowering Their Entrepreneurship

Small business owners are the backbone of our economy, and veteran-owned businesses are no exception. In fact, veterans are twice as likely to start a business than non-veterans. That's why Action Zone Tampa, a non-profit organization that supports veteran entrepreneurs, is hosting events throughout the week to raise awareness about the importance of investing in veteran-owned businesses.

On March 1st, Action Zone Tampa will be at the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center (ECC) for the 1 Million Cups event, where two veteran-owned businesses will present their ideas. The next day, on March 2nd, at HCC Dale Mabry's inLab, the organization will host a panel featuring different Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) in Tampa Bay, such as Veterans Relief Fund and Tampa Bay VetNet. The panelists will discuss how their respective organizations are helping the Veteran community.

On March 3rd, at the Action Zone Tampa location in ECC, attendees can learn about suicide prevention resources from Tony Williams of Veterans Serving Veterans and Dr. Carlos Garcia of Tampa Counseling & Wellness. The panel will also discuss the resources available to help veterans start or grow their own businesses, featuring Action Zone Tampa representatives, Bunker Labs, InLab, and the ECC.

Throughout the week, Action Zone Tampa will continue to celebrate and support veteran entrepreneurs. On March 6th, they will host a Military spouse Networking event, and on March 7th, they will wrap up the week with a celebration at Lee's Grocery, featuring a no-host social event.

Investing in veteran-owned businesses is essential for a multitude of reasons. By investing in these businesses, we can help create jobs for fellow veterans and reduce veteran unemployment rates. Veteran-owned businesses also bring valuable skills to the table, such as leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving. And, as studies have shown, they are often more successful than non-veteran businesses.

In conclusion, National Invest In Veterans Week is an opportunity for us to recognize and support veteran-owned businesses. By doing so, we can create more job opportunities for veterans and contribute to a stronger economy. Join Action Zone Tampa in celebrating National Invest In Veterans Week® and supporting our veteran entrepreneurs.

Bonus Tip: How to Maximize Your Attendance at National Invest In Veterans Week® Events

Attending events during National Invest In Veterans Week® is a great way to network, learn about available resources, and connect with other veterans in the community. To make the most of your attendance, consider these tips:

1. Set goals: Before attending an event, set clear goals for what you want to achieve. This could be to meet a certain number of people, learn about a specific program or resource, or find a mentor. Having goals in mind will help you focus your time and energy.

2. Bring business cards: Make sure to bring plenty of business cards to hand out to other attendees. This is a great way to exchange contact information and stay in touch after the event.

3. Dress professionally: Even if the event is casual, it's important to make a good impression by dressing professionally. This will show that you take your business and networking seriously.

4. Follow up: After the event, make sure to follow up with any new contacts you made. This could be through email, phone, or LinkedIn. Be sure to thank them for their time and reiterate any goals or opportunities discussed.

By following these tips, you can make the most out of your attendance at National Invest In Veterans Week® events and further your personal and professional goals.