Behind the Mission: National Invest In Veterans Week

Welcome to National Invest In Veterans Week. I am sure you have numerous questions regarding the mission and vision of National Invest In Veterans Week. Below are our most commonly asked questions regarding who we are and how to get involved with National Invest In Veterans Week.

What's National Invest In Veterans Week? 

National Invest In Veterans Week is a veteran-owned, award-winning social impact organization dedicated to advocating for veteran entrepreneurs nationwide. Established in 2017 by nationally syndicated columnist and Iraq War veteran Jeff Shuford and National Football League star Drayton Florence, National Invest In Veterans Week is hyper-focused on veteran business development nationwide.

So what awards has National Invest In Veterans Week won? 

A 2017 BizTech Award from Comcast Business, Named Best Social Impact Initiative Of 2021 by The Ritz Herald. A Veterans in Business Award from The Hudson Weekly and an Innovative Media Excellence Award from the Belmont Star. We are truly honored and dedicated to serving veterans nationwide.

What problem does National Invest In Veterans Week solve? 

For decades, veterans have embarked on the mission of launching successful businesses after serving our country. During their transitions, veterans are commonly presented with opportunities to work for companies rather than start their own. Our organization supports veteran entrepreneurs through advocacy, impact, and branding to help them become established, veteran business owners. 

When is National Invest In Veterans Week? 

National Invest In Veterans Week is observed each year from March 1st through March 7th. During the week, we honor aspiring and established veteran business owners and their contributions to the economy. Celebrate National Invest In Veterans Week by recognizing aspiring and established veteran entrepreneurs nationwide.

Why celebrate veteran business owners? 

According to the Small Business Administration, small business firms owned by veterans employed 5.03 million people, had an annual payroll of $195 billion and receipts of $1.14 trillion. Representing only 9.1 percent of all U.S. businesses, veterans have an unquestionable invaluable impact on economic ecosystems nationwide. A recent study by the SBA also noted, "For decades, military veterans have been a vital part of the nation's business sector—leveraging the valuable skills they gained during their service to start businesses across the country. However, veteran entrepreneurship is facing a generational decline, with younger veterans owning businesses at lower rates compared to past generations. Furthermore, we are now beginning to see veterans owning businesses at lower rates compared to nonveterans." National Invest In Veterans Week's mission is to empower veteran business owners of all generational demographics and to inspire the community to support our brave heroes as they start and grow businesses.

How to celebrate National Invest In Veterans Week? 

Consider the following tips:

1. Promote Veteran-Owned Businesses on Social Media.

2. Buy from Veteran-Owned Businesses.

3. Host a workshop for aspiring veteran entrepreneurs.

4. Nurture Veteran Startups—partner with a veteran-owned business.

5. Host a gathering of Veteran-Owned Businesses.

6. Mentor a veteran entrepreneur.

7. Promote National Invest In Veterans Week via social media.

8. Petition your local legislators to honor veterans during National Invest In Veterans Week.

9. Visit www.investinveteransweek.com to see how you can get involved, learn more about National Invest In Veterans Week's mission, and share your favorite veteran entrepreneur or veteran business on Social Media using the hashtag #National Invest In Veterans Week.

   Read More: https://www.investinveteransweek.com/veteran-entrepreneurship-insights-opportunities

National Invest In Veterans Week Launches The American Society of Veteran Business Owners

Earlier this year, National Invest In Veterans Week, a Tech From Vets brand, launched the American Society of Veteran Business Owners to help veteran entrepreneurs nationwide. Created to help veteran entrepreneurs build a community of like-minded warriors that served our nation with distinction, the society is aimed at connecting veterans at every stage of business development. "With so many veterans exiting the military interested in starting their businesses, the need to create an organization catered to serving their needs is an essential element to National Invest In Veterans Week," stated ASVBO co-founder Jeff Shuford. A 2018 study by the Small Business Administration (SBA) discovered numerous issues facing aspiring veteran business owners, and the American Society of Veteran Business Owners intends to highlight those issues. 

The study noted the value that veteran business owners bring to communities nationwide. "For decades, military veterans have been a vital part of the nation's business sector—leveraging the valuable skills they gained during their service to start businesses across the country. However, veteran entrepreneurship is facing a generational decline, with younger veterans owning businesses at lower rates compared to past generations. Furthermore, we are now beginning to see veterans owning businesses at lower rates compared to nonveterans," the study notes. The groundbreaking research originates from the Federal Reserve Banks' Small Business Credit Survey and detailed the struggles that veteran business owners face in the infancy of their company's development. The study states, "Of particular concern for policy makers is whether veterans have a more difficult time accessing capital than nonveteran business owners. In order to substantiate policy intervention on behalf of veteran entrepreneurs, it is necessary to size the market and understand the needs and challenges. While anecdotal evidence points to capital access challenges, systematic data collection has been limited."

Access to capital is a primary issue facing aspiring veteran business owners. In response to the study's findings, nationally syndicated columnist and co-founder of National Invest In Veterans Week Jeff Shuford highlighted the need for education regarding business capital options. "While surveying veteran entrepreneurs through private interviews and veteran business summits, the majority of veterans stated that they didn't know where to access the vital financing for their business ideas. Veterans mentioned that digital marketing was also difficult due to the nature of their particular business and the complexity of the digital marketing industry itself. Without the proper capital to hire experts with knowledge of digital marketing, veterans are left to develop inadequate strategies regarding advertising and business marketing online," stated Shuford. This is not an issue of veterans not having the skills to launch successful businesses; instead, as noted in the SBA study, veterans lack resources when launching their business concepts. "For decades, these skills manifested in strong entrepreneurial rates among veterans. A study conducted by the SBA's Office of Advocacy in 2011 found that military service is highly correlated with self-employment probability and that veterans are at least 45 percent more likely than those with no active-duty military experience to be self-employed. This economic engine for the US cannot be overstated; in 2012, there were 2.5 million veteran-owned businesses generating $1.1 trillion in sales and $195 billion in annual payroll," remarked the research study.

Put simply, regardless of the obstacles facing aspiring veteran business owners, the skills and lessons they learn from serving in our armed forces keep them focused on their mission of launching and supporting businesses in our local communities. The American Society of Veteran Business Owners' mission is to advocate for veteran entrepreneurs while connecting veterans with veteran business owners who have risen above these daunting hurdles. 

5 FORMIDABLE WAYS TO FEEL MORE EMPOWERED AS A VETERAN ENTREPRENEUR

For veteran entrepreneurs who want to enjoy long-lasting careers as business developers, believing in your abilities is crucial. You can't hope to earn the admiration and respect of others if you don't first believe in your strengths as a veteran entrepreneur. Learning how to boost your own self-respect is critical if you want to build a business that survives and thrives over the long haul. As military veterans, we are trained and empowered to command our missions and our military careers. Moreover, the same strategy can prove valuable in governing your veteran-owned enterprise. If this is the year, you go all-in on pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams. Following my five strategies, you too can feel more empowered as a veteran entrepreneur.

Understand Your Strengths and Capitalize on Them

 One of the quickest ways to feel more empowered as a veteran entrepreneur is to take stock of your strengths. Make a list of talents you have that make you an exceptional entrepreneur, and understand how you can use those abilities to build a stronger company. You can't hope to impress others with your talents if you're not first aware of them yourself. Learn the strengths you possess as a veteran entrepreneur, and then develop strategies to integrate your skills into your business development efforts. Simply put, these strengths can translate directly from your military service experience into your veteran-owned business. For instance, I like many of you earned combat badges that differentiated me from my peers during my time serving in the armed forces. Although listing my Combat Action Badge in my business branding would prove invaluable, listing that my company's mission is to ensure that we advocate for our clients regardless of the circumstances directly correlates with my combat experience. You can utilize the same strategy to help differentiate your veteran-owned business from others in a crowded marketplace.

Outwork Your Competitors via Data Analysis

 Outworking your competitors can make you feel more empowered. An incredible way to outwork those in your market sector is to analyze their behaviors and then use your newly acquired data analysis to improve your business development strategy. Pay attention to the conferences your competitors are attending, the speeches they're giving, the marketing they're doing, and how they're acquiring new customers. This is a strategy that we utilized to advance in the military. As you well know, the military uses a point system to help differentiate military service members. Military specialty badges, certifications, combat experience, and time in service help leaders decipher the soldier most eligible to promote. Furthermore, the point system shows how much a service member has invested in their careers and what service members take on extra responsibilities. When you start analyzing specific data on your competitors, you learn how to outwork them by having a deep understanding of their growth initiatives.

Goal Setting is Essential

 If you want to feel more empowered as a veteran entrepreneur, start setting attainable goals for yourself. Documenting your goals and monitoring performance to-date helps you feel like you're achieving what you set out to do. Goal setting and monitoring help you feel like you're moving your business forward while becoming a stronger veteran entrepreneur in the process. In the military, we utilize after-action reports to document the success of our mission. You can do the same when evaluating whether you are reaching your revenue and branding goals. National Invest In Veterans Week Co-founder Drayton Florence encourages veterans to set and achieve their business goals consistently. Florence stated, "I learned through my experiences in the NFL and through helping launch award-winning veteran businesses that goal setting is essential for success both on and off the field. Without a clear goal, your team will never truly understand what you are working towards and how to get there."

Analyze Your Experiences

 Another remarkable way to turbocharge your sense of empowerment is to analyze your experiences as a veteran entrepreneur. Did you recently attend a tech conference? Analyze what you learned, whom you met, and which business lessons you learned as a result of the conference. Did you go through a challenging time recently while attempting to scale your startup? Christian Brothers Automotive veteran business owner Joshua Standridge eloquently integrated his military service experiences into his branding while being interviewed for a National Invest In Veterans Week segment. Standridge stated, "I joined the military after I graduated from The Citadel. Deployed straight to Afghanistan and Iraq, and I have been currently serving in the South Carolina Army National Guard ever since, I truly just enjoy serving our country." Standridge's military experiences show that he is a veteran, his willingness to fulfill his obligations, his dedication to the mission, and his desire to keep serving the Lexington South Carolina community.

Trademark Attorney Erik Pelton highlights the value that veteran entrepreneurs bring to the business community. Pelton stated, "Through their service and sacrifice, veterans have proven that they have the leadership and drive necessary to succeed as entrepreneurs." Pelton's insight is not merely a sound bite; he draws his conclusion based upon the multiple veteran business owners that he's helped secure trademarks through his firm Erik Pelton & Associates, PLLC. Put simply, analyze your military experiences and curate a list of lessons you learned. Not only will you feel more resilient after exploring your struggles, but you'll also have the makings of a business blog post you can share to improve your company's SEO (search engine optimization).

Study the Habits of Successful Business Builders

 An excellent way to boost your sense of empowerment is to study the habits of business builders you admire. How did they grow their companies, and how do they treat others in their network? What habits do they follow, e.g., reading extensively, and what methods do they use to build their companies? A great place to start studying and learning from successful business builders is through your local Chamber of Commerce. Not only can you network with other area business people on all levels you can also attend business development events and educational sessions. Put simply, the more effort you put into analyzing the actions of those you admire, the greater your chances are of becoming a successful veteran business owner and community leader.

Integrate these tips into your business development efforts, and chances are good you'll feel more empowered as you grow your veteran-owned company. Developing a sense of empowerment can feel like empowering as a veteran entrepreneur. Once you start reveling in your sense of strength, you'll want to experience that business-building high regularly.

Originally posted for the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center: http://www.lexingtonsc.org/chamber-news/5-formidable-ways-to-feel-more-empowered-as-a-veteran-entrepreneur

South Carolina Passes Resolution To Commemorate National Invest In Veterans Week

Our staff at National Invest In Veterans Week would like to formally thank the South Carolina Senate and the South Carolina Senate Family and Veterans Services Committee for passing H 3825 commemorating National Invest In Veterans Week.

Whereas, the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center encourages businesses and community members of the Midlands and beyond to observe this week by promoting, partnering with, and buying from veteran-owned businesses and mentoring veteran entrepreneurs. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, commemorate the national Invest In Veterans Week on March 1-7 in support of veteran-owned businesses.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center.

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https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess124_2021-2022/prever/521_20210203.htm

NATIONAL INVEST IN VETERANS WEEK 2021

NATIONAL INVEST IN VETERANS WEEK

National Invest In Veterans Week is observed each year from March 1 through March 7. During the week, we honor aspiring and established veteran business owners and their contributions to the economy.

According to the Small Business Administration, small business firms owned by veterans employed 5.03 million people, had an annual payroll of $195 billion and receipts of $1.14 trillion. Representing only 9.1 percent of all U.S. businesses, veterans have an unquestionable invaluable impact on economic ecosystems nationwide.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalInvestInVeteransWeek

Celebrate the week by recognizing aspiring and established veteran entrepreneurs. Want to show your support for veteran business owners during National Invest In Veterans Week? Consider the following tips:

• Promote Veteran-Owned Businesses on Social Media.

• Buy from Veteran-Owned Businesses.

• Host a workshop for aspiring veteran entrepreneurs.

• Nurture Veteran Startups (Grants, Fundraisers, Complimentary B2B Services, Award-Ceremonies).

• Partner with a veteran-owned business.

• Host a gathering of Veteran-Owned Businesses.

• Mentor a veteran entrepreneur.

• Promote National Invest In Veterans Week via social media.

Share your favorite veteran entrepreneur or veteran business on Social Media using #NationalInvestInVeteransWeek.

HISTORY

In 2019, National Football League veteran Drayton Florence and nationally syndicated columnist and Iraq War veteran Jeff Shuford founded National Invest In Veterans Week intending to empower the public to invest in the veteran population through veteran-owned business sustainment, educational development, and mental health empowerment.

Along with the launching numerous veteran-focused innovations, the award-winning veteran-owned technology company Tech From Vets launched National Invest In Veterans Week. “National Invest In Veterans Week puts veteran business owners in the driver’s seat of their enterprises,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Rickey L. Pope, Army, USA, Retired.

Whether celebrating the week or empowering veterans to start and grow their business enterprises, there are many ways to observe and celebrate National Invest In Veterans Week.

The Registrar at National Day Calendar® proclaimed the celebration in July of 2019 to be observed March 1-7, annually.

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-invest-in-veterans-week-march-1-7/

Mike Bicek Named Creative Director For National Invest In Veterans Week

After successfully launching the Invest In Veterans Week National Holiday, mobile app, and progressive web application, the award-winning development company Tech From Vets set out on a mission to utilize multimedia to highlight veterans and active duty service members that are positively impacting their communities. Invest In Veterans Week (a brand of Tech From Vets) turned to Army veteran Mike Bicek to lead the creative vision and direction of the newly launched Invest In Veterans Week media division. In early July of 2019, the Registrar at the National Day Calendar proclaimed National Invest In Veterans Week to be observed March 1-7, annually. The objective of the IVW national holiday is to empower the public to invest in the veteran population through veteran-owned business sustainment, educational development, and mental health empowerment.

“We are excited to have Mike take over as Creative Director of National Invest In Veterans Week,” said National Football League veteran and Director of Strategic Partnerships Drayton Florence. “Mike has worked with our Vets 22 and Tech From Vets brands in the past and has helped increase our reach nationally.” Bicek brings a wealth of experience as a celebrity photographer and brand ambassador. Having served in the United States Army with a deployment to Iraq under his belt, Bicek’s mission-focused character is a precise fit for the innovation-driven award-winning technology company.

“His experience in the field, and having his work highlighted in Black Enterprise Magazine and the National Day Calendar, among other global publications, shows Mike’s superb quality of work. We look forward to working with him to help refine the creative vision behind National Invest In Veterans Week,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Rickey L. Pope, USA, Retired, who serves as the organization’s Public Affairs Officer.

“I am truly honored and excited to have the opportunity to join the Invest In Veterans Week team as the creative director,” Bicek said. “I’m looking forward to developing new multimedia ideas for branding, advertising campaigns, and marketing messages.” With Bicek leading the creative department, the organization plans to launch a local veteran business-focused Television program and multimedia campaign. The organization recently launched its signature Invest In Veterans Week podcast to iHeart Radio and Google Podcasts among other global platforms. With the increase in veterans and active duty service members starting new businesses, Bicek and his team have many local companies eager to be highlighted throughout Northeast Florida. According to the Small Business Administration, small business firms owned by veterans employed 5.03 million people, had an annual payroll of $195 billion and receipts of $1.14 trillion. Representing only 9.1 percent of all U.S. businesses, veterans have an unquestionable invaluable impact on economic ecosystems nationwide.

Soon after Tech From Vets was founded, it was named The Best Veteran Owned Tech Startup of 2016 by The Huffington Post. Soon after, the veteran-owned technology company won a BizTech Award for their successful design, development, and deployment of their self-funded Vets 22 and Tackling Food Safety applications to the national stage. The Jacksonville Business Journal’s BizTech Award honors those contributing to a culture of technology leadership and innovation in the Northeast Florida region.