Staff Reports

The Small Business Administration is helping military families trade in their military boots for business boots through the Boots to Business: Reboot entrepreneurial training program. The program assists all military veterans, service member including National Guard and their spouses develop a set of skills and competencies focused on entrepreneurial opportunity recognition, innovation, and small business management.

“Military veterans represent a vast pool of talent and tested skills that makes them natural business leaders,” said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. “This private-public partnership will make it possible for more veterans to gain the tools necessary to start their own successful businesses and create good jobs in their communities.”

The Boots to Business: Reboot curriculum will introduce veterans to the fundamentals of business ownership including evaluating business concepts and developing a business plan. Course participants will be introduced to their local SBA resource partners, consisting of Veterans Business Outreach Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers and SCORE.

Additionally, upon completion of the introductory course, participants will be eligible to register for “Foundations of Entrepreneurship,” an eight-week, online course led by instructors from Syracuse University’s IVMF that offers in-depth instruction on the elements of a business plan and techniques and tips for starting a business.

The nearest SBA office offering this program is at Tustin City Hall. Sign up today by registering at http://www.boots2business.org/rebootapply and select ‘Tustin, CA’ from the drop-down menu.

Class dates are Nov.4, 18, 25, Dec. 2 and 9 but are subject to change depending on student availability. Classes will be held at Tustin City Hall Council Chambers from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, contact Tustin’s Small Business Administration at 714-560-7467 or email douglas.dare@sba.gov.