VR&E Self Employment Track #benefits #veterans #va

Summary

The self-employment track is designed for veterans aiming to start their own businesses. It offers vocational counseling, business plan development, and training in small business operations. Veterans can receive tuition assistance for certifications, financial aid for business fees, and potentially startup funding. The track emphasizes the importance of analyzing business viability and focusing on core services or products over administrative details. It also encourages exploring additional resources like SCORE and Vets and Tech for further support.

Takeaways

• 🚀 Track number three is designed for veterans aiming to start their own businesses, offering support to develop a viable business plan.
• 💼 Veterans can collaborate with a vocational and educational counseling team with business expertise to refine their business concepts.
• 🏫 Training is provided on operating a small business, including tuition assistance for necessary certifications and licensure.
• 💵 Financial assistance is available for business-related fees and startup costs, which can be a significant benefit for new entrepreneurs.
• 🔍 The script encourages looking beyond VA resources, suggesting exploring SCORE under the SBA and VetStart for tech-focused businesses.
• 🌟 Veterans with a service-connected disability that hinders traditional employment may find self-employment a suitable path, supported by the program.
• 📝 The program offers coordination services for business plan development, analysis of business concepts, and guidance on small business operations.
• 📈 Emphasis is placed on the importance of analyzing the viability of the business concept and focusing on the core service or product rather than initial administrative details.
• 🤝 The script shares a personal story of a veteran who leveraged the program to start a successful business with government contracts.
• ⏰ The narrative highlights the importance of not taking the benefits for granted, even for those who didn't experience direct combat, as the commitment to service is valued.

Q & A

What is track number three for veterans?

Track number three is the self-employment track designed for veterans who want to start their own business. It involves working with a vocational educational counseling team to develop a business plan and bring a viable product to the market.

What kind of assistance can a veteran expect in developing their business plan?

A veteran can expect coordination services to help with developing a business plan, analysis of their business concept, training in small business operations, marketing, and finances, as well as guidance on getting the right resources to implement their plan.

Are there financial benefits available for veterans pursuing self-employment?

Yes, veterans can receive financial assistance for business fees, startup costs, and may also be eligible for funding through the VA to help get their business off the ground.

What additional resources are suggested for veterans considering self-employment?

Beyond the VA, veterans are encouraged to look into SCORE under the SBA and Vets and Tech for entrepreneurship programs and resources.

What is the significance of the disabled veteran-owned business designation?

The disabled veteran-owned business designation can help veterans land federal contracts, providing an additional avenue for business growth and success.

What are the eligibility criteria for the self-employment track?

To be eligible for the self-employment track, a veteran must have an employment barrier, be enrolled in VR&E, and have a service-connected disability that makes it difficult to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment.

How does the program help veterans determine the viability of their business concept?

The program provides analysis and guidance to help veterans evaluate whether self-employment and their proposed business are viable options.

What is the importance of focusing on the core service or product when starting a business?

The core service or product is crucial as it directly affects customer satisfaction and business success. The script emphasizes not getting hung up on administrative details and focusing on providing value to customers.

What advice is given to veterans starting a business regarding their business plan?

Veterans are advised not to get caught up in the minutiae of writing a business plan but to focus on iterating it based on real data and making necessary adjustments to improve their business.

Why is it important for veterans to consider self-employment benefits even if they didn't experience combat?

The benefits are earned through the commitment to service, and veterans are encouraged to take advantage of them regardless of their specific military experiences, as they can provide significant support for starting a business.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Self-Employment Track for Veterans

The self-employment track is designed for veterans who aspire to start their own business, offering support to develop a viable business plan. This track connects veterans with vocational counselors who have business expertise to refine business concepts for market success. The program provides training in small business operations, financial assistance for business-related fees, and help with obtaining necessary certifications and licenses. It also emphasizes the potential for financial aid to cover startup costs, which is crucial for new entrepreneurs. The speaker encourages veterans to explore additional resources beyond the VA, such as SCORE under the SBA, and to consider programs like Vets and Tech for tech-oriented businesses. The benefits of the self-employment track include coordination services for business plan development, analysis of business concepts, training in operations, marketing, and finances, and guidance on implementing the business plan. Eligibility criteria include having an employment barrier, being enrolled in the VR&E program, and having a service-connected disability that makes traditional employment challenging.

05:01

🌟 Leveraging Military Service for Entrepreneurship

Chris shares a personal anecdote about his time in the Navy and the realization that not fully utilizing the benefits available to veterans can lead to regret. He discusses how a classmate, who experienced hearing issues after service, discovered the self-employment program and successfully transitioned to running his own business with government contracts. Chris emphasizes the importance of not taking these benefits for granted and encourages veterans to seriously consider the self-employment track. The summary also touches on the importance of focusing on the core business concept and customer service rather than getting bogged down in administrative details when starting a business. The advice is to seek help, iterate quickly, and make business decisions based on real-world feedback.

Keywords

💡Self-employment track

The 'self-employment track' is a specific program designed for veterans who aspire to start their own businesses. It is mentioned as a path for those with a clear vision of what a successful business could look like for them. The track is highlighted for its comprehensive support, including business plan development, training, and financial assistance, which are crucial for veterans transitioning into entrepreneurship. In the script, it is presented as a viable option for those who face challenges in traditional employment due to service-connected disabilities.

💡Vocational rehabilitation

Vocational rehabilitation refers to the process of assisting individuals, particularly veterans, in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining suitable employment. In the context of the video, it involves working with a team of counselors who have business backgrounds to help veterans develop their business ideas and plans. This process is essential for veterans who face employment barriers due to disabilities, aiming to empower them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in self-employment.

💡Business plan

A 'business plan' is a crucial document for any entrepreneur, outlining the objectives, strategies, and financial forecasts of a business. In the video, the development of a business plan is emphasized as a key component of the self-employment track. Veterans work with counselors to create and refine their plans, which are then reviewed for viability. The script mentions that the business plan is not just a static document but a living guide that should be iterated upon as the business evolves.

💡Tuition assistance

Tuition assistance is financial support provided to veterans to help them attain certifications and licensure necessary for their business ventures. As mentioned in the script, this form of aid is part of the comprehensive support offered through the self-employment track, enabling veterans to acquire the necessary qualifications and skills to operate their businesses successfully.

💡Financial assistance

Financial assistance, as discussed in the video, refers to the funds provided to veterans to cover business-related expenses, including startup costs. It is highlighted as a significant benefit of the self-employment track, as it can alleviate the financial burden that often falls on entrepreneurs when launching a new business. The script emphasizes the importance of this support, especially for those who might not have the personal resources to cover initial business expenses.

💡SCORE

SCORE is mentioned as a resource for veterans looking to start their own businesses. It stands for 'Service Corps of Retired Executives' and is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground through education and mentorship. In the context of the video, SCORE is presented as a valuable external resource that veterans can leverage alongside the self-employment track to gain additional business guidance and support.

💡Vets and Tech

Vets and Tech is an organization specifically focused on supporting veterans in technology-related fields. The script mentions it as a resource for veterans with tech-oriented business ideas, offering an entrepreneurship program and a community of fellow veteran entrepreneurs. This organization is highlighted as a way for veterans to connect with others in similar situations, share experiences, and gain insights into navigating the tech industry as entrepreneurs.

💡Disabled veteran-owned business

The term 'disabled veteran-owned business' refers to businesses that are at least 51% owned by veterans with service-connected disabilities. In the video, it is mentioned as a designation that can be obtained by veterans enrolled in the self-employment track, which can lead to opportunities for federal contracts. This status is significant as it can provide a competitive edge in government procurement processes, opening up additional avenues for business growth and success.

💡Service-connected disability

A 'service-connected disability' is a disability that is a result of, or aggravated by, military service. The script discusses how such disabilities can create barriers to traditional employment, making self-employment a more suitable option for affected veterans. The self-employment track is presented as a way to leverage these disabilities to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, with the Department of Veterans Affairs providing support tailored to the unique challenges faced by these veterans.

💡Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)

VR&E, or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, is a program within the Department of Veterans Affairs designed to assist veterans with disabilities in preparing for and finding suitable employment. In the context of the video, it is a prerequisite for veterans to be enrolled in VR&E to access the self-employment track. The script highlights the importance of this enrollment, as it signifies that the veteran has been assessed and deemed eligible for specialized support in their career transition.

💡Business concept analysis

Business concept analysis involves evaluating the viability and potential success of a business idea. In the video, it is mentioned as a service provided within the self-employment track, where veterans' business ideas are analyzed for their potential in the market. This analysis is crucial for veterans to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their concepts and to make informed decisions about moving forward with their business plans.

Highlights

Self-employment track is designed for veterans wanting to start their own business.

Veterans work with a vocational educational counseling team with business backgrounds.

The track helps develop a business plan and tweak business concepts.

Training provided on operating a small business.

Financial assistance is available for business fees and startup costs.

Veterans can receive tuition assistance for certifications and licensure.

Encouragement to explore resources beyond the VA, such as SCORE under the SBA.

Vets and Tech offers an entrepreneurship program for tech-oriented businesses.

Enrolled veterans may qualify for the disabled veteran-owned business designation.

Services include coordination for business plan development and analysis.

Training in small business operations, marketing, and finances is provided.

Guidance on obtaining the right resources to implement the business plan.

Eligibility requires an employment barrier, enrollment in VR&E, and a service-connected disability.

The importance of leveraging one's service-connected disability for self-employment.

Personal story of a veteran leveraging the program to start a successful company.

Emphasis on the importance of not overlooking benefits due to lack of combat experience.

Advice on focusing on the viability of the business concept over administrative details.

Encouragement to start doing business quickly and iterate based on data points.

Transcripts

all right track number three is the

self-employment track so this is for

veterans who want to start their own

business they have a clear vision of

what successful business might look for

them uh they can work with a vocational

educational counseling team um with

business backgrounds to develop a

business plan tweak their Concepts and

uh bring something to the market that

has a viable long-term way of succeeding

so uh for all you entrepreneurs out

there track number three could be for

you this track involves training on how

to operate a small business a veteran

can get tuition um assistance to attain

certifications and licensure that may be

necessary for their business as well as

financial assistance needed for their uh

business fees so the actual fees the

business needs um so anyway it's uh it's

a good track to take a look at you might

also be able to get uh some financial

assistance related to the business

startup costs that is huge for anybody

out there in cyber space that has ever

started a business that initial um round

of funding to get off the ground often

times comes out of your own wallet and

it can be more than you expect so if

there is an Avenue here through the VA

to get a little startup funding I

strongly encourage you to take a look at

that and then the last thing we say is

there are other avenues Beyond just the

VA here um if you're starting your un

employment so I encourage you to to look

at this but also take a look at score

which is under the uh

SBA uh just Google that really quick and

uh there is a world of resources there

so I encourage veterans to take a look

at that as well so yeah and if you have

a business that is uh Tech in nature um

look at vets and Tech because vets and

Tech has an entrepreneurship program and

just meeting other uh veteran

entrepreneurs is like a really huge step

forward to and and also don't forget

that if you get enrolled through this

program it means that you're a disabled

veteran and you can get the dis the uh

disabled veteran-owned business uh

designation as well and land some

federal contracts if that's in your

wheelhouse uh so let's talk about what

services are um kind of provided through

the self-employment track again they got

four bullet points here I wanted to

share those so it says what kind of

benefits can you get through the R

self-employment track which again this

is one of those things where it's like

you would never think that this would

even be something that was talked about

from the gigantic Department of Veterans

Affairs totally you know bureaucratic

and red tape everywhere right you just

don't you don't picture them leaning

forward on this but uh the four bullet

points are coordination services to help

with developing and uh the proposal of

the business plan analysis of your

business concept uh training in small

business operations marketing and

finances guidance and getting the right

resources to implement your business

plan after you develop your business

plan we'll review it and evaluate

whether

self-employment uh and the proposed

business are viable options now what do

you need to be able to move forward in

this it says here all of these must be

true the first two bullet points are the

same as the last track which are you

have an employment barrier or handicap

and your enrolled in vr& meaning that

they've accepted you into the program

and now and they they do that because

they do have the ability to say no

you're not right you meet these other

things but you're not enrolled in vr& so

that's why they add that in there so the

third one's a little bit different your

service connected disability makes it

hard for you to prepare for obtain and

maintain suitable employment now

leaving you your only option is to be a

self-employed person essentially right

so uh you need to to make sure that you

leverage that really my

conditions I can't really do anything

right for I can't stand too long I can't

sit too long I can't stay up too long I

can't sleep too long I can't you right

I'm all over the board and um you know I

just need something where I can be

self-employed and do a little here do a

little there and make a little bit of

income or maybe even employ a few people

to do it for me or work wonky hours

because it's it's cyber stuff you know

or it stuff and I could I could work at

at midnight coding things and doing

whatever making websites or whatever it

is so just important to to keep in mind

what they're looking

for so you can make sure that you're

saying the right things to help them

help you get to where you want to go if

you know what I

mean all right so with that let's uh

let's move on to the or Chris wants to

say something now go ahead Chris you're

on

mute you're still on mute you're still

on mute you got something in your eye

yeah yeah I you know it it was that time

I spent on the Navy

ship god well well you know what's

interesting and again you know I was it

was uh my years of active duty I was it

was coming right after the first Gulf

War and then obviously right before uh

the second and so you know my my peers

and folks that were in at the same time

as we felt like you know hey yeah we got

banged up a little bit sure you know but

we weren't in any wars and so we came

out we were lazy or or stupid or both uh

by not really taking some of this stuff

seriously and so you know fast forward

25 28 years um and

for one reason or another life has

presented us different things that now

we regret not taking this a lot more

seriously but the good thing is that and

I just had a you know a classmate of

mine that um he you know it was he

actually went and I pushed him to go get

he was having ringing he was field

artillery he had ringing in his ears

ever since that I I could remember um

and then uh you know he actually went

for a different reason to get his

medical eval records evaluation and then

discovered about this program of

becoming self-employed and it was

actually a really U Progressive and

instructive process for him uh and he

wasn't happy in his job and and and so

he was able to leverage us and now he's

started his own company he's got

government tracks government contracts

he's up in Sacramento he's getting ready

to hire some some folks to work for him

and so you know

even if you discover some of these

things late these are very very good

benefits that uh we've all earned in one

way or another whether or not we had

bullets flying at us or um or we didn't

the the reality was we signed up and

knew that there was a chance that could

have happened so just because you didn't

actually have that you know don't don't

take these benefits for granted please

yeah I think um kind of bullet to

forward from what Jason just mentioned

are the most important ones particularly

around analysis of the viability of the

business concept so um a lot of folks

when they're starting a business uh get

hung up on the initial sort of minutia

that's writing a business plan and what

they find out later is the business plan

kind of collects dust and they don't

iterate it like they're supposed to and

they spend an inordinate amount of time

figuring out their name and their logo

and their colors and all this other

administrivia that at the end of the day

is is pretty important but nothing's

more important than the service or

product that you provide to the customer

so that's where the analysis piece and

the sales and marketing piece come in so

uh don't get hung up on the on the

administrivia and the am minutia when

you're starting your business get lots

of help uh but get to doing business as

quick as you can and then get data

points and make tweaks to your your

business based off of what's working and

what's not