SANTA MONICA COLLEGE SBDC LAUNCHES VETREPRENEUR BOOTCAMP: FORCES TO FRANCHISES

Free Entrepreneurial Training Program for Military Veterans

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by Santa Monica College and funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched Vetrepreneur Bootcamp: Forces to Franchises. The free entrepreneurial training program guides a cohort of 30 military veterans, chosen in a rigorous screening process, through how to start a business, how to apply for an SBA loan, and franchise business opportunities available.

Forces to Franchises is an eight-week, five-session program that capitalizes on the intersection of veterans’ leadership skills and the structure of the franchise business. The SBA reports that veterans are 45 percent more likely to become entrepreneurs than their civilian counterparts. And Entrepreneur Magazine suggests that veterans make good franchisees because they are willing to operate within the guidelines of the established business model, and they are effective at leading a team and making the right decisions to further their business.

Forces to Franchises is structured as a series of workshops that will educate veterans on the steps they need to take to successfully launch and fund a business, particularly a franchise business. The goal of Forces to Franchises is to have every participant complete a business plan that can be included in a loan application package. Ultimately, the program seeks to increase the number of qualified veterans’ loan applicants in the business community.

Forces to Franchises runs February 7 through April 4, 2014. This innovative program launches with a breakfast and welcome event from 7:30 am to 9:00 am on February 7 as executives from Santa Monica College, the Small Business Administration, financial institutions, and City officials recognize this special group of Veterans as they begin the program. The press is encouraged to attend this event.

Forces to Franchises is sponsored by Wilshire State Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, East West Bank, ed2go, Commonwealth Business Bank, Chase Bank, Business Finance Capital, and Boston Private Bank & Trust Company.

The SBDC’s mission is to help emerging entrepreneurs realize their dream of business ownership, and to assist existing businesses to better compete in the multifaceted and ever-changing local, national, and global economies. The SBDC offers free business consulting and low-cost training workshops on a wide variety of business topics, including business startup, loan packaging and referrals, marketing and social media, web development/e-commerce, retail, drafting a business plan, government contracting, green business, and more.

For more information about the SMC SBDC, please see www.smcsbdc.org or call (310) 434-3566.