Disaster relief webinars offer resources for Veteran-owned small businesses

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted our nation’s small businesses, including the 2.5 million Veteran-owned small businesses across the country. To assist these Veteran entrepreneurs, VA’s Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) teamed up with the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) for a three-part webinar series to discuss COVID-19 disaster relief options.

Subject matter experts from both offices hosted a “Straight Talk – Straight Answer” webinar. These resources can empower the Veteran-owned small business community. If you’re a Veteran small business owner looking for virtual support, here are three tips:

Take advantage of online resources

VA’s OSDBU, SBA, and other organizations have a number of online resources to support Veteran small-business owners, especially during these unpredictable times.

• SBA local assistance for Veteran-owned small businesses
• SBA COVID-19 disaster relief options for small business owners
• VA OSDBU state-by-state COVID-19 resources for Veterans
• Federal resources for small businesses affected by COVID-19

Connect with your local Veterans Business Outreach Center

SBA’s Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC) are your one-stop shop for counseling and mentorship, access to capital resources, entrepreneurial workshops, and much more. In fact, VBOC services are now available either online or over the phone.

Explore virtual entrepreneurship training programs

Many of the SBA’s entrepreneurship programs are being offered in a virtual setting, including its flagship entrepreneurial education and training program, Boots to Business. Boots to Business is now available in a real-time virtual format for transitioning service members, Veterans, and military spouses.

If you’re looking for additional business training and workshops, the SBA’s entrepreneurship training programs for women Veterans, service-disabled Veterans, and Veterans interested in federal procurement are also transitioning to online environments.

OSDBU also has education and training resources for Veteran entrepreneurs interested in doing business within the federal and commercial marketplaces. For more information on resources for Veteran entrepreneurs, visit www.va.gov/osdbu.

VA’s OSDBU helps Veteran small-business owners gain access to federal procurement opportunities. In addition to the newsletter, OSDBU has a wealth of information available on its homepage. Check out the resources on the right side for quick access to information ranging from a calendar of event and business training to a forecast of federal procurement opportunities and answers to frequently asked questions.