How many think opportunities are plentiful for Vets to start a business?

SFC Doug Lee — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 09:44:03 -0400

This is what I help Vets do so I would like to know your thoughts.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2014 10:35 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 10:35:53 -0400

Considering that my wife is a vet and has started two of her own businesses, I'd say the opportunities are pretty good as long as you are passionate about what you actually want to be doing. A start-up business may seem like a way to "be your own boss," which may be appealing to some who have been workign in a hierarchical system like the military, but you have to REALLY want it to succeed, because it's tough doing it on your own, especially when it comes to the things that you don't think about when you build your dream job as a LLC. The admin, the taxes, the payroll, etc. Those are the mundane tasks of every business that will sink you if you aren't careful. If someone wants to start a business in marketing, great...they will probably be good at it. What people need is the eye opener that talks about and supports all the other stuff that comes along with starting your own business.

Response by Capt Julie McAdoo made Jul 22 at 2014 2:03 PM

Capt Julie McAdoo — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 14:03:06 -0400

I do. I've started two businesses. One is a start-up, the other a franchise. Like my children, I love them both, but they are very different even though both cleaning companies. Had I to do it all over again, I would have just started the franchise--much easier to jumpstart than building a company from the ground up with no information or support. A good franchise system is worth every penny! Do due diligence though, because not all opportunities are created equal.

Response by Elizabeth Malkin made Sep 25 at 2014 4:43 PM

Elizabeth Malkin — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:43:50 -0400

Hi SFC Doug Lee , that's a great question and the answer is that there are opportunities out there, but certainly not as many as are needed which is why RallyPoint has started a new Entrepreneurship initiative to try and help our members interested in starting their own business.

RallyPoint now has a new pilot program aimed at helping veterans become franchise business owners. RP has partnered with some of the franchises that are best known for supporting vets and you should check a few of them out here:

Homewatch Caregivers: http://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/homewatch-caregivers--2/overview

ACFN: https://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/acfn-san-jose-ca/overview

We are also working with The Transition Center which is a FREE service for all RP members that helps them to understand what steps to take to be a successful veteran business owner and the ways to get there. You can find out more about it here: https://www.rallypoint.com/units/the-transition-center-the-transition-center-llc/civilian_company/jobs

Homewatch CareGivers | RallyPoint

Homewatch CareGivers

Response by MAJ Chris Ballard made Jan 8 at 2015 1:40 PM

MAJ Chris Ballard — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 13:40:51 -0500

There are a lot of opportunities out there that are a great fit for vets. For good or for ill, the business ownership discussion that takes place on most military bases is almost exclusively franchise-centric. That wasn't a good fit for me, so it took a little more digging to find something that did fit for me.

A few years and a few million in closed business later, what at the time seemed a move of desperation ended up being life-changing. Like you, my focus now is on helping other vets duplicate what I've done.

Good post. Thanks for getting the conversation going!

Response by SSG Matthew G made Jan 8 at 2015 3:07 PM

SSG Matthew G — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 15:07:50 -0500

IF THEY ARE, i HAVE YET TO FIND ONE I AM INTERESTED IN.
I AM TOLD THERE ARE MEANS TO HELP START ONES OWN. AGAIN, I HAVE YET TO FIND IT.