22 U.S. VETERANS MAGAZINE WWW.USVETERANSMAGAZINE.COM
CAREER & EMPLOYMENT
T
he prospect of becoming a successful entrepreneur is exciting and exhilarating. Becoming your own boss, doing your own thing, taking the risk and enjoying the spoils is where the action is. After all, what could be better than controlling your own destiny? For veterans and spouses, the journey to entrepreneurship can be equally exciting and at the same time, perplexing and challenging. Transitioning from military readiness to the revenue game could be analogous to aspiring to become a big star in Hollywood. The glitz and glamor; the lights and action; and the excitement of big money can be intoxicating. The vision of the bells and whistles may block their view or fog up the rose- colored glasses through which they view this new paradise. Then comes the reality of it all; not everyone makes it to Hollywood. One of the most challenging questions regarding entrepreneurship is, where to begin. The answer to that question could very well determine success or failure for many transitioning service members and their spouses. Fortunately, there is an answer to that question.
GET A HEAD START
First, let me suggest that a two-year head start on career transition is not unthinkable for those who have not done so already. The secret for transition success starts with the local installation Transition
From Readiness to Revenue:
Smart Tips for Military Transition
By Dr. L.H. Taylor: President/CEO of Veterans Business Partnership
Assistance Program (TAP) office. The DoD TAP program has teamed up with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer exceptional entrepreneurship training to transitioning personnel courtesy of twenty-two regional Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) across the country. Over the course of the suggested two years, a veteran or spouse can take part in the two-day SBA VBOC Boots-to- Business (B2B) training as many times as they desire. Beyond the two-day TAP-VBOC presentation, SBA sponsors a robust array of (free) follow- on training, that includes
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