Veteran-Owned Businesses
It’s March Motivation Time. Resources to help us all get out and get going!
The Village’s
Featured Business
The Village’s Featured Veteran-Owned Business: Brett Henderson, Strategic Wealth Endeavor
Welcome to Spring! Ish.
With the sun BEATING DOWN on me on a very balmy 35 F degree day here recently in New England, I sat on my deck and started my April-June planning.
It’s funny how the sun affects you. You start off all focused and organized, and a few minutes later you’re pondering if you should run a marathon, or in my case, launch a weekly podcast. How hard could it be?
Giddy from 6 months of Vitamin D deprivation, I started searching for podcasts on entrepreneurship and small business.
Miraculously Brett Henderson’s “The Veteran Entrepreneur Masterclass” rose from the raff. I’d been saved.
After reviewing Brett’s 23-episode list, I realized there is QUALITY content out there and, I don’t have to create it. Brett’s business, “Strategic Wealth Endeavor,” is a California-based wealth management and business consultancy for veterans-turned-business owners who are seeking guidance and growth in their financial lives.
Out of 23 podcasts (yes, this takes commitment), here is my March list of “must listen” from Brett’s podcast library (see below). Now instead of planning my podcast editorial calendar, I can focus on what I should be doing: answering the question Brett posed to me. “Chris, what’s your ROI and revenue model?”
Interested in Having Your Business Showcased?
Shoot me an email: chris@launchmechanic.com, and we’ll come visit you 🙂
Kit Stop
This is where I go out, do the research and take inventory of events I find that might be valuable for you as a veteran business owner. I pick the ones that I believe you should at least know about and spread the word so that you can make the decision as to which events may be important to you!
Branding & Marketing with “Iron” Mike Steadman, IVMF
- FREE. March 13, 2023. 12pm EST | IVMF Navigating Entrepreneurship Webinar
The next Institute for Veterans and Military Families – IVMF “Navigating Entrepreneurship” webinar features “IRON” Mike Steadman“ sharing his knowledge and expertise about Branding and Marketing for small businesses.
- Are you looking to take your marketing and branding to the next level?
- Do you want to ensure that your marketing prioritizes ROI (return on investment)?
- Are you looking to learn from someone who has experience building a business, rather than another “expert” trying to sell you their marketing or branding course?
NH Small Business Matchmaker
- FREE. April 12, 2023 | Manchester (NH) Community College
Meet with 30+ federal agencies and prime contractors, all on one day, all in one place. Connect with new federal customers, re-engage with existing customers and network with 200 other small businesses and resource partners. This event offers an effective, efficient, in-person opportunity to connect with government contracting representatives. Learn more about this event here.
- FREE March 15, 2023: Leading up to and following the Matchmaker, take advantage of online workshops covering topics relevant to small business suppliers:
How to prepare for the Matchmaker and how to follow up after the Matchmaker, a Prime Contractor & Agency panel, surety bonding, and contract financing, a panel with updates on small business certifications, U.S. Dept. of Labor, Wage & Hour Division, and a roundtable on small business best practices.
Preparing for the Upcoming Matchmaker: Wednesday, March 15, 2023 – 9:00AM-10:00AM
Exhibitor Panel of Small Business Specialists: Wednesday, March 15, 2023 – 10:00AM-11:00AM
The Ins and Outs of Financing and Bonding Your Government Contract: Wednesday, March 22, 2023 – 9:00AM-10:00AM
Which Certifications Make Sense for Your Small Business?: Wednesday, March 22, 2023 – 10:00AM-11:00AM
What Labor Laws are Lurking in your Government Contracts?: Wednesday, March 29, 2023 – 9:00AM-11:00AM
Post Matchmaker…Now What?: Friday, April 14, 2023 – 9:00AM-10:00AM
Small Business Roundtable Wrap-up w/NH APEX Accelerator & SBA: Friday, April 14, 2023 – 10:00AM-11:00AM
Get Your Numbers Organized to Attract Capital
- FREE. March 16, 2023, 5-7pm EST | Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
Join this FREE session on how to prepare to go after capital! If you’re looking to become more profitable, want to access funding, or just looking to get a handle on your finances, this session is for you!
During this session, you will work with an expert to draft or review your 36-month financial projections to help you better understand and communicate the story of your numbers. Your expert will walk you through how the model works, how to think about the inputs, and what the numbers mean.
Preparation: To get the most out of this session, make a list of your products/services with pricing, your costs to produce the product/service, and your overhead expenses. Don’t worry if you don’t have anything to start. You and your expert can still talk through the model so that you will be able to complete the template on your own.
Brought to you by Verizon SBDR. Register here!
Women-Owned Vet Businesses. This ones’s for you!
- March 27, ONLINE: Phase 1
- April 21-23, In-person, San Antonio, TX: Phase 2
Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) is the country’s premier entrepreneurship training event for female veteran and female military spouse companies who are looking to build and grow their companies. This 25th milestone will pay homage to past “FIRST” honorees and V-WISE graduates who have blazed a trail for future women to also create successful businesses.
V-WISE is a three-phase program starting with three weeks of online, self-paced learning, followed by three days of in-person training featuring engaging keynote speakers, nearly two dozen learning sessions focused on various start-up stage entrepreneurship topics, and numerous networking opportunities. Following completion of the in-person phase, participants receive 12 months of post-program support to help them build and grow their business.
Village Goodies
Farm Businesses & Entrepreneurs
Are you working towards owning a farm, or leasing land on an existing farm? Land for Good is your resource.
Village was recently helping out our local Morales family with getting their first land lease drafted to lease land on a local farm. We met with a representative from Land for Good, and have been using their invaluable tool, “Build-A-Lease.” With this tool, all of the legal language you need to understand and include in your lease is provided. Whether you are the land owner, or the farmer leasing the land, this tool will help you get it done.
Land for Good offers many other resources. We’ll keep you in the loop as we learn more!
All Businesses : Trusted Source for Loans & Advice
Village recently met a trusted source for loans and advice, the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund.
If you have been thinking about getting a loan to support the launch or growth of your farm (or other) business, you should contact the NH Community Loan Fund. Since 2012, the NH Community Loan fund has loaned over $15M to 41 farm and food businesses. This wonderful organization provides loans, capitals and technical assistance. The Business and Community Finance team participates in Community Services Lending, Vested for Growth Program and Business Builder programs. Learn More Here.
The Village met with Charlene Andersen, Farm Food Lender and Business Advisor and Carlos Rincon, Business Lender and a Lead on a wonderful program seeks to reach out to underserved communities in NH. These two knowledgeable individuals will listen to your story and help you understand what the first steps are to prepare for becoming eligible to secure a loan. We’ll report back on our progress with one of our clients in a few months!
All Businesses
Village’s Recommended Go-To for Questions on Investments & Fund-Raising for Your Small Business.
For an introduction, check out these past recordings!
Village’s Must Go’s
NEW! Syracuse University D’Aniello Institute for Veterans & Military Family (IVMP)
IVMP has a long history of providing effective and innovative entrepreneurship programs.
- Boots to Business
- IGNITE
- SPARK
- STRIVE
- V-WISE and More!
National Veterans Resource Center
Daniel & Gayle D’Aniello Building
101 Waverly Ave.
Syracuse, New York 13244
NEW! The Capital Network (TCN)
One of my favorite go-to’s for all things related to capital, investment, and learning how to raise funds for your business. Phenomenal lineup of focused content on these topics. The Capital Network Programs typically require a small fee.
Community Navigator Program
Click here if you’re looking for a Community Navigator in your State.
The Community Navigator Program is powered by an ecosystem of experienced small business and microenterprise technical assistance providers. Small businesses can gain access to resources and services at no charge.
Be sure to check out the small business resources that are available throughout the state of NH at the NH Community Navigator Program.
EForum
The EForum is a Cambridge-MA based nonprofit, supported by the Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship at MIT. Check out their calendar of entrepreneurial events here. General information can be found here.
Update on the Luis’ Morales Soto Cattle Operation
When we last left the Morales family, they were working hard to secure a grant to buy their first cows. Since that time, we connected with Sara Powell at the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship, who opened up a whole ecosystem of advisors, funders, and mentors for Luis’ farm. If you are facing any business challenge, we can’t say enough about Sara’s ability to advise and connect!
Next month, we’ll talk about what we learned with creating Luis’ first land lease contract! Standby for that!
Writing Compelling Content. Ask the Expert
- March 21, 12:30-2:30pm EST | Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
In this digital age, business owners must be storytellers and story writers, too. To engage prospects before they click away, you must communicate clearly and descriptively on websites, social media, advertising, and printed materials to compel readers to become customers and fans. We all know great writing when we see it, but what are some of the speedbumps to creating compelling content? What are some of the common mistakes when we write about our businesses, products, and services? In this Ask the Expert session, learn the best practices from a professional content creator. Sign up now!
Using Local Resources to Grow Your Business
- March 27, 4-6pm EST | Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
Grant Money. Get in on it!
Check out the latest grant opportunity with Verizon SBDR (Small Business Digital Ready) by signing up today! Grant opened March 1 and closes on May 12, 2023. Complete two courses and unlock your opportunity to apply!
