Office of Veterans Business Development

Veterans Business Outreach Program
 

The Veterans Business Outreach Program (VBOP) is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring, and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business. The SBA has four organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).

 

Services Provided by the Centers


Pre-Business Plan Workshops:

VBOCs conduct entrepreneurial development workshops dealing specifically with the major issues of self-employment. An important segment of these workshops entails the usage of the Internet as a tool for developing and expanding businesses. Each client is afforded the opportunity to work directly with a business counselor.

 

Concept Assessments:

VBOCs assist clients in assessing their entrepreneurial needs and requirements.

 

Business Plan Preparations:

VBOCs assist clients in developing and maintaining a five-year business plan. The business plan includes such elements as the legal form if the business, equipment requirements and cost, organizational structure, a strategic plan, market analysis, and a financial plan. Financial plans include financial projections, budget projections, and funding requirements.

 

Comprehensive Feasibility Analysis:

VBOCs provide assistance in identifying and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the business plan to increase the probability of success. The results of the analysis are utilized to revise the strategic planning portion of the business plan.

 

Entrepreneurial Training and Counseling:

VBOCs, working with other SBA resource partners, target entrepreneurial training projects and counseling sessions tailored specifically to address the needs and concerns of the service-disabled veteran entrepreneur.

 

Mentorship:

VBOCs conduct, as appropriate, on-site visits with clients to ensure adherence to their business plans. Additionally, VBOCs review monthly financial statements to determine whether a revision of the business plan is warranted or that desired results are being attained.

 

Other Business Developmental Related Services:

VBOCs also provide assistance and training in such areas as international trade, franchising, Internet marketing, accounting, etc.

 

Center Locations and Areas of Coverage

 

The Research Foundation of the State University of New York SUNY @ Farmingdale SBDC

Address

States Covered

District Office

Campus Commons 350 Broadhollow Road
Farmingdale, NY 11735 -1006

New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands

Syracuse District Office

 
Point of Contact
John Narciso
Phone: Toll-free at 1-800-732-7232
Fax: 631-370-8895
Email:  narcisja@farmingdale.edu

Webpage:  http://www.nyssbdc.org/services/veterans/veterans.html
 

Robert Morris University

Address

States Covered

District Office

600 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, District of Columbia

Pittsburgh District Office

 

Point of Contact
Richard G. Portis
Phone:
412-397-6842
Fax: 412-227-6850
Email:  vboc@rmu.edu
Webpage:  http://www.rmu.edu/vboc

 

The University of West Florida in Pensacola

Address

States Covered

District Office

2500 Minnesota Avenue
Lynn Haven, FL 32444

Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina

Jacksonville Florida District Office

 

Point of Contact
Tony Zacchio
Phone: 1-800-542-7232 or 850-271-1108
Fax: 850-271-1109
Email:  vboc@knology.net

Webpage:  http://vboc.org

 

The University of Texas - Pan American

Address

States Covered

District Office

1201 West University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999

Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma

Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office

 
Point of Contact
Jessica Lopez
Phone: 956-292-7535
Fax: 956-316-2612
Email:  vboc@panam.edu

Webpage:  http://www.coserve.org/vboc
 

Vietnam Veterans of California - VBOC

Address

States Covered

District Office

7270 E. Southgate Drive, Suite 1 Sacramento, Ca 95823

California, Arizona, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada

Sacramento District Office

 
Point of Contact
Coreena Conoley
Phone: 916-393-1690
Fax: 916-393-1693
Email:  cconley@vboc-ca.org

Webpage:  http://www.vboc-ca.org