Joel Padua ⋅ Aurora, IL HIFE- Heartland Institute of Financial Education ⋅ 5 years experience

Hi Joseph
Thank you for serving our country, by the way it depends on what kind of business you're into
There are legitimate business you only need small capital with unlimited growth, you can email me so I can get you some details and connect you to people near your area

Thank you
Joel Padua
joelpadua2412@att.net

Michael Del Vecchio ⋅ Killingworth, CT U.S. Army, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 3 years served

Hi

Mr Hadida hit some good resources - Here are a few more:
The EBV program - here is the UCONN site - http://ebv.business.uconn.edu/ - I volunteer at the program, it is a "mini MBA" type.
SCORE - I volunteer there also, we like working with veterans - https://www.score.org/, you ca get one of 13,000 experts in any field = face to face or EMAIL.
SBDC - I work a lot with these guys, they are good http://ctsbdc.com/
There are many data bases for cost estimates, the SCORE guys or SBDC guys can hook you up. Contavt me if you want to discuss.

They key is there are plenty of FREE resources for vets to start up a business, no need to go to school, pay full price for legal service, pay to incorporate.

Debbie Scott ⋅ Castle Rock, CO Focused Results Consulting ⋅ 26 years experience

Hi Joseph,

Congrats on your new endeavor! And thanks for your service to our country.

I would strongly recommend that you consider Sandler as a resource for training and startup of your business. I have an MBA but I found Sandler gave me the tactical skill sets that I needed to run my business and to get sales in the door. If you are hiring employees, they can also help with management skills. During my MBA training I learned that the #1 reason businesses fail is due to lack of cash flow! Sandler will give you the skill sets you need to get customers and cash flow in the door. It's an excellent program and I highly recommend it.

Bob Bolak has a special program for veterans: www.SalesPoint.Sandler.com Check him out and tell him that I sent you!

Good luck!

Debbie

Quincy Y ⋅ Pasadena, CA U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Second Class ⋅ 5 years served

Depending on the type of business you want to start, the structure of the business will be important. To start a low risk business you might want to consider a sole proprietorship then incorporate at a later date when revenues justify.

Sole Proprietor: EIN (no cost): http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/How-to-Apply-for-an-EIN

S-Corp is more costly to start and maintain.

Seller's Permit : I'm not exactly sure what's required for your state.

City/County Business License

Reseller’s certificate (if necessary).

Your state may not have a reseller certificate requirement. Need further checking.

Call your State Department of Revenue, County Office for business license information and City for business license information.

Ask for requirements for appropriate licenses to conduct the type of business you want to start. Associated fees (One time, recurring, etc), reporting requirements for business activities or tax purposes.

I opened a business checking but it doesn't have to be business banking. If its a personal type of checking account, just keep it separate from personal money and do not co-mingle funds. I was going to get a personal checking but opted for the business since it didn't require much to start. I will probably open a personal checking when I get a promotional offer that gives me $200-300 for having direct deposit or something.

ALWAYS ask, “are there any veterans programs”? You might get a break on fees. Some banks have lower thresholds for capital requirements for veterans to open business bank accounts.

arnold regardie ⋅ San Diego, CA arnold g. regardie ⋅ 48 years experience

Training and support in a particular field is very helpful. Also contacts. I'm in a network marketing business in San Diego, CA and have relied on training and support provided by the business heavily. This can be a very rewarding business with low initial capital investment. Let me know if you're interested.

Arnold

Christopher Uzzi ⋅ Naples, FL Veterans LIstening Post LLC ⋅ 20 years experience

Veterans Listening Post LLC

Hi Joe,
There are many excellent replies that have been posted in helping you in answering your question.
I have a small different take. Hopefully it’s a help. One from the Heart. Passion, determination, and effort, are part of a business venture. I am so impassioned by your resolve and perseverance. As a U.S Coast Guard Petty Officer Second Class and with six years of experience serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, you know the meaning and the emotional process on just how to apply those words to your business venture.
Please email me with any help you may need with your business.
Best for you.
VLP Coach Chris
Coachchrisu@aol.com
www.veteranslisteningpost.com
www.veterasnlifecoach.com

Daryl Harrison ⋅ Thurston, NE Harrison WOC Services ⋅ 25 years experience

Notice that Mr. Hadida's first link is SCORE. Know that the decision to start your own business is the best idea you will ever have in today's economy. Best of luck Joseph!!!

Cully Cavness ⋅ Denver, CO ⋅ 8 years experience

Hi Joseph,

My company is planning to start a FREE Veteran Business Incubator weekend program this summer, most likely the third weekend of August. It will be held in Denver, CO. This program will help you with business planing, training and business skills. If you are interested in attending, you can email emily@swordandplough.com to introduce yourself and your idea. Just say that "Cully suggested that I contact you."

Thanks and good luck,
Cully

Claudia Pires ⋅ Tampa, FL inspiHRed ⋅ 18 years experience

The SBA has a specific Office of Veterans Business Development, and lots of "Boots to Business" classes.
Follow the link below for details and best of luck in your venture!

https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/ovbd/resources/160511?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=veteran%20business&utm_content=veteranbusiness&utm_campaign=search-vetbusiness-broad&gclid=CL2GpqbTvsUCFcaRHwodiHIARw

John Dyck, Ph.D. ⋅ Spring, TX Career Strategies ⋅ 30 years experience

The Small Business Administration (SBA) sponsors Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)in most universities. The SBDC usually is located in the college of business. Google SBDC to find one near you. They present workshops on starting a business and will help you with our business plan. You do not have to be enrolled in the university to participate in the SBDC programs.

Ted Mittelstaedt ⋅ Portland, OR Portlandia IT LLC ⋅ 20 years experience

Start with the bank you want to use. They will put you on to many programs available to vets. Just take my advice on this - figure out how much money your going to need to start the business - and double it - that's what you really will need - but - and this is the secret - spend less than a quarter of what you need - if you can. At least, make that a goal.

David De Jesus ⋅ Howell, NJ ⋅ 10 years experience

Joseph,
The listed websites are very helpful. What exactly are you looking for? Licenses, financial investment or just advice?
Send me an email to discuss further.

Dejesus6499@gmail.com

Colleen Deere ⋅ New York, NY American Corporate Partners (ACP) ⋅ 15 years experience

Hi Joseph,

There are numerous advisors on this site who have offered to help veterans who are building a small business. You can ask specific questions about your business on this site, use our Community feature to find Advisors with small business experience in your local area - https://acp-advisornet.org/community/advisors.

There's also a great deal of information to browse by searching through the Small Business questions that have already been asked and answered on this site which might help you think through your business idea - https://acp-advisornet.org/questions/small-business.

Best of luck!

Colleen
ACP AdvisorNet Staff

Brian Richardson ⋅ Columbus, IN U.S. Army, Sergeant ⋅ 8 years served

Hi Joseph,
Mr. Hadida listed some good sites if you were not familiar with them already. If you had some specific questions, problems or situations, I would be happy to discuss them with you.

You can also read some business related articles at
www.VetLaunched.com
www.inc.com
www.entrepreneur.com

Joseph Hadida ⋅ Morrisville, PA Lockheed Martin ⋅ 25 years experience

Hi Joseph,

There are many organizations that have programs to advise how to start a business. I have few of them listed below:

www.score.org
www.sba.gov
www.myownbusiness.org/s4/
www.ingham.org
www.michiganbusiness.org/start-up/business-assistance/
www.gvsu.edu/marec/resources-for-start-up-businesses-124.htm

Good luck!

Joe