The Northeast Veterans Business Center (NEVBRC) is the best way for a veteran to gain the skills, and access the resources necessary to start a new business, gain new expertise for an existing enterprise, or rehabilitate a current veteran-owned company. The Center is designed to help veterans who want to start a business, and veterans who have established businesses who would like to improve one or more aspects of that business. The Center does this by training, mentorship, seminars, workshops and symposiums. Training includes all areas of business startup, management, and rehabilitation, for the novice and experienced business veteran. The Center also provides innovative programs not offered any where else, including, an Outreach Program and other essential tools for the veteran entrepreneur. Northeast Veterans Business Resource Center has as its cornerstone training and mentorship. Internationally renowned entrepreneurial training from such educators as the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, are offered on a regular schedule by the Center. Some of the courses, services, workshops and seminars are described below. Two programs, Business Mastery, and New Venture™ are described below as an example of Center course offerings. At first glance these may seem to be the same programs; however, they have different outcomes, and business focus, with very different guest speakers, and seminars imbedded. Business Mastery The E-Myth Revisited Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It. By Michael Gerber. Author of the Bestselling Classic The E-Myth. Course participants read this book prior to beginning the program where a philosophy of how successful businesses may be built and operated is presented. The FastTrac New Venture Program™* (9 three-hour workshops) Course text and work book. 300 pages of intense business development curriculum developed more than 10 years ago and continually updated by Courtney Price, Ph.D., and Mack Davis. FastTrac™ programs were first launched through the University of Southern California’s Entrepreneurship Program in Los Angeles in 1986. The programs were initially offered to women and minority-owned businesses and were sponsored by the Adolph Coors Foundation, UNOCAL and the City of Los Angeles. Today, the courses are delivered to students in both urban and rural settings and through such diverse organizations such as local Chambers of Commerce, Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), Economic and Women’s Development Centers, Universities, Community Colleges and Independent Consulting Firms whose focus and expertise is devoted exclusively to small and medium sized companies. The FastTrac Planning Program™* (11 three-hour workshops) Participant Manual and The Planning Work Book, nearly 500 pages of Business mastery and administration in an 11-week course. Certificate of Completion from both the FastTrac New Venture™ and Planning programs. The FastTrac Business Mentor™ CD ROM. An award winning software suite which walks the user through building a feasibility or business plan step by step. Capturing your attention and interest is a complete cast of mentors who explain the concepts and theories to consider as you embark on each section of your plan. Video clips are conveniently offered for review at any portion of the plan and are there to introduce each section before you begin. The list of resources includes Exercises, Examples, Sample Plans, Glossary of terms, Resource Center, Mentors Office, Technical Help, Hundreds of web links and an opportunity to export your plan to Microsoft Word for even further freedom and flexibility. Private Business Coaching Access to future seminars and workshops Periodic invitations to refresh the skills gained in the course you attended with alumni seminars and workshops Additional interactive workshops on Desktop publishing to help the new entrepreneur gain the basic skills necessary to create business cards, brochures, price lists, publications a new business needs to get active in the marketplace. New Venture The E-Myth Revisited Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It. By Michael Gerber. Author of the Bestselling Classic The E-Myth. In depth discussions of the philosophy espoused in this book, and what program participants would change for their individual businesses and what they would modify or use in their businesses. The FastTrac New Venture™ Program* (9 three hour workshops) Course text and workbook. 300 pages of intense business development curriculum as described above. The FastTrac Business Mentor™ CD ROM. An award winning software suite, which walks the user through building a feasibility or business plan step by step. As described above. Certificate of Completion Access to future seminars and workshops Periodic invitations to refresh the skills gained in the course you attended with alumni seminars and workshops Additional interactive workshops on Desktop publishing to help the new entrepreneur gain the basic skills necessary to create business cards, brochures, price lists, publications a new business needs to get active in the marketplace. There are advanced workshops for more established enterprises. Veterans Intern Program currently in development provided by NEVBRC The Northeast Veterans Business Resource Center provides a broad range of services specifically designed to enhance establishment and support for current and future Veteran-owned businesses. Clients to be served include: Other than dishonorably discharged Veterans of US military service; Members of the National Guard and Reserve; Members of the active military pending retirement or discharge who are contemplating self-employment as an alternative. The Center Process The NEVBRC process is a comprehensive training, mentoring and service cycle, which revolves around the Veteran-Owned Business. A needs analysis and assessment is always done as the first step as a veteran expresses interest in becoming a client of NEVBRC. A short assessment interview determines if all conditions are met: 1) the client is a veteran, 2) the client has a strong desire to start and/or own their own business, and perhaps has a business plan, 3) the client has need of business rehabilitative services for an existing business. At this point, complete demographic information, including present employer, is entered into the NEVBRC database. This, after data verification, ends the assessment process. If the Veteran decides to take advantage of the Center’s services and all eligibility criteria is met in the assessment, an intake to become a Center client is then completed. This intake process begins with securing a verified copy of the veteran’s service documents. Next, a detailed description of the Veteran’s business idea, or a business plan, if they have one, is articulated, and added to the veteran’s client file. An evaluation is done from the Veteran’s assessment information and business idea or plan. This evaluation determines whether training or immediate application to funding sources is appropriate. Occasionally an apprenticeship or internship in the Veteran’s chosen field may be required before the Veteran is fully prepared to begin to embark on the daily rigors of the Veteran entrepreneur. The Center’s mentoring volunteers, and advisory board help to identify local business owners who are appropriate for supporting such projects (Veteran-owned businesses when possible), when such placements are appropriate. The intake also includes a profile of the client to determine any special needs or the need for any special services that would help the Veteran to a positive outcome. Special services matching referral services are part of the Center’s resource databank, i.e.: daycare services may be one example; another may be particular computer peripherals or software to aid in data entry or extraction. A synopsis of the client’s business plan needs assessment, profile, all assessment and intake data are entered into the Center database to track services accessed, mentoring sessions, financing, training, and other services used, and the outcomes of those activities. Once intake is completed, the client will be assigned a mentor and together they will develop a service plan. Each NEVBRC client receives an Individual Service Strategy (ISS). Once completed, the ISS is housed in the database where the client and Center staff can access it. Clients only have access to their specific accounts. As the mentor gets to know the client, the client is assigned to a working group. Basically there are two Center working groups: those veterans who are trying to start or want to start a business, and those who have some kind of business already in operation. These groups conduct peer-to-peer tutoring, take workshops and seminars together, and attend events designed for their specific needs. There are activities, classes, conferences, Internet classes and Internet conferences designed to integrate the two groups as well. The NEVBRC is designed to assist self-employment ready individuals and existing Veteran business owners in obtaining and improving necessary business skills to succeed. It utilizes the well-proven model of “Veterans Helping Veterans”, and extends this philosophy into the local community, tapping into the resources of successful Veterans in business, and incorporating other business professionals as often as possible, all using their expertise and experience to train, mentor, advise and encourage veteran entrepreneurs. This, along with regularly scheduled opportunities to associate with other Veterans seeking to work toward common goals, creates a platform for success. There are basically two types of applicants for the Centers services: Veterans who want to start a business: Through the assessment and intake process the program will enable prospective business owners to determine if they are a good fit for small business ownership. They can explore the possibilities of entrepreneurship and examine the option of purchasing an existing business or franchise opportunity before committing a great deal of time and money to what may turn out to be a poor investment or simply just not right for them. The Veteran mentoring/support group composed of seasoned professionals and business people will oversee a screening and self-selection process that will identify those Veterans who have viable business plans/ideas, a commitment to small business, appropriate skills, and a willingness to devote the time and energy necessary to complete the program and succeed. Owners of ongoing businesses looking to improve or expand their options. The program is flexible enough and sophisticated enough to offer more precise and advanced support to those who are already familiar with the fundamentals of small business operations but need assistance with expansion, marketing, or accessing procurement options, or other necessities to rehabilitate a small business. Here, once again, the Veteran mentoring/support group will be the key, as they will have the seasoned knowledge, contacts and resources to assist the program participant. All of our mentors have been entrepreneurs. This two-tiered design serves the needs of individuals who have not yet targeted a specific business or who are exploring their commitment to a specific business, as well as the needs of Veterans who have a business they wish to improve or expand. This model structure could be seen as two simultaneous or contiguous programs, one serving as a “feeder” for the other program. This may not be in the case for every Veteran, but does lend the more experienced business owner an opportunity to share the experiences they have had with those just starting out. Conversely it allows the new business start-up candidate to present ideas to the seasoned businessperson that perhaps they had not considered up to that point. This interaction serves clients in both tiers well. Workshops, seminars, web conferences, and teleconferences featuring local bankers, attorneys, accountants, and legislators allow the presenters to cultivate contacts and visibility in the local geographic area and give participants the opportunity to interface with people with whom they will do business. Real community leaders, lawmakers and professionals bring real time help and answers to the small businessperson from an individual in the know and flow of local politics or business. This serves the NEVBRC client as a whole not just as a classroom, or computer model might. A significant asset of the Center’s program is the wide range of experienced veteran and non-veteran professionals and small business owners willing to be part of the mentoring/teaching components of the program. A group or groups of local Veterans who are successful business people, accountants, lawyers, venture capitalists/investment bankers, academicians has been organized to support the Center’s Entrepreneurial Training Program. This group, often as individual or small groups, acts a guest speaker(s) for FastTrac, New Venture, and other entrepreneurial training classes given by the Center. The volunteers often “graduate” because of the experience they have had with Center clients to becoming part of the advisory or planning boards. Components of the Program The Northeast Veterans Business Resource Center has annex centers throughout eastern Massachusetts to facilitate as many Veterans as possible using the centers assets; this to grow and maintain a community based business resource center for Veterans. For example, thousands of Massachusetts National Guard and Reservists are active duty now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The National Guard/Reservist Headquarters is in Milford Massachusetts, more than an hour and a half drive from Boston. As guard members return to the United States to take their former employment or perhaps being businesses of their own and maintain their commitment to Guard or Reserve duty, a trip once a week or twice a month into Boston would not be possible. NEVBRC teaches several classes at the National Guard/Reserve Headquarters and provides all the services delineated here at that site, so these citizen soldiers do not have spend more time either commuting to and from Boston, or taking time off work, or having to choose between commuting and attaining their dream of entrepreneurship. The Center offers the same service in Woburn MA, and Leominster MA, using classroom and conference room space provided by other organizations established and involved in the business building process. Representatives from all of these organizations have been guest speakers in classes; many have led seminars, workshops, and have become volunteer business mentors. The Center’s main location, which is being populated now, serves as a one-stop resource center that the entrepreneur will need to access basic business building services. These services are provided now at all the annex locations. Hours of operation at the main location are slated to be 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Annexes are open during scheduled class times or by appointment. The Centers main location will provide the following services; the annexes offer many of the same or similar abbreviated services. On-site Business Development Classes A variety of business development courses are offered, including the nationally acclaimed FastTrac™ Training programs “New Venture™”, “Planning™”, “Listening To Your Business™” and “First Step™”. NxLeveL™ for “Business Start-ups”, for “Entrepreneurs” and for “Micro Entrepreneurs” are also being offered as the center further develops our course catalog. Remote Location Business Classes All business classes are offered at a variety of convenient locations including Department of Career Services (Woburn site), National Guard/Reserve Headquarters (Milford site) and many other locations as mentioned above around the state. Veterans Advocacy Services A Veterans Advocacy specialist will be available by appointment to advocate on behalf of the Veteran. This service can be utilized for a variety of purposes such as contract procurement, contract negotiation, service and product acquisition as well as non-legal mediation and intervention. A board of volunteer Veteran community leaders has been (as delineated above) established to assist with egregious cases of discrimination or blatant and willful non-compliance with state or federal statute. This advocate also has referral resources to address other issues that may impede the Veteran’s ability to take courses or address start-up issues such as child care, transportation and more. Remote Location Business Counselors Once a working relationship is established between the entrepreneur and The Center, will be available to provide “on site” guidance and training for the entrepreneur by meeting at the entrepreneur’s place of business or office. Online conferences also aid in the mentoring process. Grant Writing Assistance A grant writing and research expert is available by appointment to assist Entrepreneurs with understanding and participating in the grant process, as well as computer-based training on grants, grant writing, and grant speak. A fee may apply. Community Corporations Philanthropic Research Research on local corporate philanthropy opportunities available within the community will be provided via the Internet. Government Contract Procurement Assistance A Government Contract Procurement officer will be available on an appointment basis to assist with the understanding and processing of submitting bids for Government Contracting Opportunities, as well as the regularly scheduled workshop on Government Contract Procurement. Business Structure Assistance (Articles of Incorporation) A program and workshop in concert with online services to assist Entrepreneurs with the preparation, drafting and filing of business structure documents, is offered as part of the regular workshop schedule. Insurance Counseling The Center draws from various insurance brokers who have the freedom to represent a variety of different companies; they give presentations on a regularly scheduled basis. Research Library A limited research library is available for entrepreneurs to use. Current subscriptions to various businesses related and entrepreneurial publications are also part of the Center’s assets. In-depth and extensive research will be referred to the Kirstein Library, the business extension of the Boston Public Library. Self-Guided Skills Enhancement Center An area is dedicated so Center clients can read business books, listen to a tape series, review a video or engage in computer based training (CBT) on such subjects as sales, leadership, sales management, motivation, employee management, time management and other related business subjects. Conference Room Equipped for Presentations A conference room created from the resource center with teleconferencing equipment, TV, DVD, VHS is available to clients by appointment. Some workshops, seminar, and guest speakers are also hosted in the “conference” room. There are regularly scheduled advisory and other board meetings in this space as well. Printing Equipment A small, on-site printing center will be available for client use for the purpose of graphic design and high quality printing for small jobs. The printing center is designed to help the entrepreneur get off the ground and is not designed to satisfy any company’s complete printing needs. Preparing professional letterheads, brochures, presentations and small-scale marketing material services will be offered. The printing center will be maintained by Center staff, but all work will be done by the client. The equipment used for this operation will be high quality color laser printing equipment which is now reasonably priced and can be reasonably added to this program. No business card printing services will be available at the Center. Premium Workshop Services The Center will offer workshops to client members at nominal fees. As this will be a needs-based program, subjects and topics are subject to change. Some of the workshops will include but are not limited to: Small Business Finance and Accounting using commercial packages such as QuickBooks™. Small Business Tax Workshop Incorporation and Business Structure Workshop Sales Workshop Leadership Workshop Time management Workshop Public relations Workshop, Advertising and Media relations program Workshop Veterans Benefits Workshop Description of Select Programs All programs include: Individual access to business mentoring throughout course period and personal mentoring and coaching at all modules. Carefully selected guest speakers whose expertise directly relates to that module. An abundance of handouts, projects, email follow up, web site links, and other opportunities, discount opportunities from program affiliates and program partners. An Invitation to Membership in The Veterans Corporation, The Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundation’s EntreWorld and The FastTrac™ Alumni Program. Opportunity to participate in the Veterans Intern program The Northeast Veteran Business Resource Center currently has a modest Intern program in conjunction with local area businesses. This program is offering businesses 10-20 intern hours with a program participant Veteran interested in starting a business in their particular industry. The Veteran must apply for the position in a job interview setting and be accepted for the position by the employer. The Employer agrees to provide: An interview A comprehensive plan and schedule for the intern Workman’s Compensation insurance A letter of reference upon completion of the program Hopefully the internship ends with the Veteran having cultivated a mentor relationship with the hosting business owner fostering another business contact or affiliation. The Northeast Veterans Business Resource Center is a comprehensive one stop training resource for new and experienced entrepreneurs. Offering not only complete and broad training, but an Outreach Program and other essential tools for the veteran entrepreneur.