Course designed to provide women veterans ability to identify a business opportunity, draft a business plan and launch their enterprise.
The American Legion will conduct a two-day entrepreneurial course, “For Her Entrepreneurship – Resources, Opportunities, Experiences & Support (For HEROES),” March 22-23 in conjunction with its annual Washington Conference in the nation’s capital. The course is free, and is specifically designed for women military veterans and military spouses.
The two-day session intensive entrepreneurship course was created by the Legion in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University. After completing this free course, participants will have the tools and knowledge they need to identify a business opportunity, draft a business plan and launch their enterprise.
“SBA is truly committed to help veteran women entrepreneurs succeed,” SBA Associate Administrator Rhett Jeppson said. “We know that more than 250,000 military servicemembers transition out of active duty each year, and that women are outpacing men with respect to starting new businesses. We provide these aspiring entrepreneurs support to launch their business, and that’s why we’re partnering with the Legion to provide this course.”
The training will be offered during The American Legion’s 54th Annual Washington Conference. The curriculum includes an introduction to entrepreneurship and skills training, plus detailed information on resources and support programs designed specifically to aid veterans working with the federal government. Business conceptualization, business plan formulation, financial planning, start-up funding, marketing and related topics will be explored as well.
“Entrepreneurship is the answer for many veterans who find the job market a particularly tough one these days,” said Joe Sharpe, director of the Legion’s Veterans Employment & Education Division. “That is one reason why, according to the SBA, veterans are more likely than non-veterans to start their own small businesses. Heretofore, however, the entrepreneurial interests of women veterans have been neglected. That is why this ground-breaking session will be so valuable.”
Participants who complete this course also will be provided access to an eight-week online Foundations of Entrepreneurship course offered by IVMF. Completion of the course will require approximately 10 hours of study each week and walk participants through the fundamentals of developing a business plan.
Women veterans interested in enrolling in the free entrepreneurship training program can register here or by contacting Jasmine Davis at (202) 263-5771 or jdavis@legion.org.
- Careers