Veterans often wonder what the best path for them is once they’ve finished their service. As you get back into the flow of civilian life, you might start thinking about starting your own business. Entrepreneurship can be a fantastic choice for vets since it gives you the power to define your own success and workflow. Plus, there’s a whole world of resources out there for vets who want to create their own path forward in the world.
Here’s a look at how you can turn a budding dream of business ownership into the career you deserve.
If you’re not one hundred percent sure you want to start a business, or if you don’t have any specific ideas for what that business should be, there are several things you can do to get a sense of your overall direction. For example, you can look into earning a degree.
A business degree in particular is a great move for aspiring entrepreneurs since it will give you the skills you need to manage your company and make it great. If you’re working part- or full-time, consider checking out an online program. This will allow you to study on your own schedule so you can juggle both work and school.
Another great way to get a sense of what you might want to do is to work at a temp agency for a while. If you can, ask for shorter assignments so you can get a sense of several different industries and types of work. This is a really good way to try things out while earning useful experience and getting a real hands-on look at how different businesses function.
Once you have some experience and education under your belt, or if you already do, it’s time to start building up your business idea. First, look at your strengths and weaknesses, and ask yourself what work you’ve done in the past that you’ve really liked. After all, it’s silly to start a business doing something you don’t actually enjoy - passion is a core aspect of business success.
In this reflection, you’ll likely start to notice a business idea bubbling to the surface. Once you have that idea, you can begin to nourish it into a proper business concept. Take time to ask yourself how your concept will fit into the market, what niche and special ideas you can bring to the table and what you need to do to help your concept take off.
As a veteran, there are tons of resources you can use to find funding, get help and even hire employees. Your best bet for finding them is to reach out to the nearest branch of the Office of Veterans Business Development. They’re an invaluable resource for former service members. Not only can they connect you with funding sources and federal contracting opportunities, but they also have a learning center where you can build your knowledge base. Plus, they’re trained to work with veterans and know how to help you make the absolute best moves for your situation.
When you run your own business, you have control over when you work, how you work, and how to succeed. This empowers you to lean on your strengths and turn the best things about you into a lucrative career you’ll love for life.
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