Operation Boots To Business: From Service to Startup
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the State of North Carolina (NC GOV) recognizes the contributions that veterans make by owning and running small businesses that employ thousands of North Carolinians. Transitioning service members are natural entrepreneurs, possessing the training, experience, and leadership skills to start businesses and create jobs. Operation Boots to Business provides the training needed to help service members transition out of the military and in to owning their own business.
The Small Business Administration is the lead agency for the program nationwide. In North Carolina, not only is the SBA working with its traditional resource partners to roll this program out but is also partnering with the Small Business Center Network to coordinate Boots to Business sessions at all of the military installations within the state.
Boots to Business uses a multi-phased approach to introduce transitioning service members to the fundamentals of small business ownership and to the SBA tools and resources available to them. Participants will view an introductory video which will be followed by an intensive opt-in two-day classroom session on business ownership. Next service members will take an eight week online “mini” MBA. Additional details about the program can be found at the Boots to Business program website –hotlink---
If you want to learn more about the Boots to Business Program you can contact the following Small Business Centers, SBA Resource Partners, or check out the Boots to Business Website.
Participating Small Business Centers
Ft. Bragg and Pope AFB Area - SBC at Fayeteville Technical Community College
MCB Camp Lejeune Area - SBC at Coastal Carolina Community College
MCS Cherry Point Area - SBC at Craven Community College
Seymour-Johnson AFB Area - SBC at Wayne Community College
Small Business Administration Resource Partners
Small Business Technology Development Center (SBTDC)
Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC)
Boots to Business Program Website