Another Initiative Serving Veterans and Military Families Operated by the 
Welcome to V-WISE!
Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) is a premier training program in entrepreneurship and small business management operated by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University and funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. V-WISE helps women veterans and female military spouses/partners find their passion and learn the business savvy skills necessary to turn an idea or start-up into a growing venture. The three-phases of the program include a 15-day online course (Phase I), 3-day entrepreneurship training event (Phase II), and ongoing mentorship, training and support opportunities for graduates launching or growing their business (Phase III).
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Today we honor Martin Luther King, Jr. for his lasting example of what it means to serve. #MLKDay
“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
We honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on this day.
Vote now for DropZone For Veterans and Tara Hutch Fine Jewelry - both are V-WISE graduates!
Voting is in full swing for the Veteran Small Business Award! Here are the current standings: 1st DropZone For Veterans, 2nd @patriotbootcamp, 3rd @AlulAaerospace, 4th @etherapycafe, 5th @NativeElemen...
Get to know this month’s Leading Lady! Lisa Groon is an Army veteran, business owner, and V-WISE graduate.
Before she was an entrepreneur:
Since 2000, she has served in the South Dakota National Guard where she has fulfilled a number of roles. She is also a part of the 147th Army Band, South Dakota National Guard! She says that the most important thing she has taken out of her military service is family. She says, “everyone has something to give and we can all be leaders, regardless of our rank”. Lisa believes these experiences have been imperative to her entrepreneurial success.
How it happened:
After having her first son five years ago, she noticed that many mothers were searching for someplace where they could come together to support one another. She joined forces with her business partners and started with the Nourish Village – a Facebook community with almost 6,000 members. From there, they grew to create the Nourish Birth Collective, which is a group of professionals that supports women and families. The collective includes a Doulas Agency, which prides itself in offering comfort, support, respect, and commitment for every type of family and every type of birth.
What she wants you to know:
“There’s a certain characteristic that entrepreneurs seem to innately possess, and I think it starts with an insatiable drive to do more, do better. Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do. Don’t stop just because it’s new or it feels a little uncomfortable.”
Check out Nourish Birth Collective to learn more about Lisa, her business, and her journey: www.nourishbirthcollective.com/
Upcoming Events
V-WISE Phoenix, AZ 2017
The V-WISE experience consists of three phases of training and ongoing support: Phase I Online Cours...
January 27 - January 29
V-WISE is open to all women veterans, active duty female service members and female partners/spouses of active service members and veterans who share the goal of launching and growing a sustainable business venture. Are you bold enough to make it happen?
95%
…of program participants reported high satisfaction ratings regarding V-WISE content, instructors, guest speakers and staff.
65%
…of V-WISE graduates have launched a new venture, or report a positive impact of the program related to growing an existing venture.
96%
…of program participants reported their overall experience at the V-WISE conference to be positively related to their business needs.
97%
…of program participants reported the V-WISE online courses to be useful and appropriate for their needs.
The 3 Phases of V-WISE
Phase 1 - Online
Phase I of the V-WISE program is a 15-day online learning experience designed to teach participants the “language of business,” how to understand opportunity recognition as it relates to growing a sustainable venture, and present actionable strategies related to new venture creation.
Phase 2 - Conference
The conference phase of the V-WISE experience is a three-day training offered to cohorts of 200 women at locations across the country. Participants must complete Phase I before attending Phase II.
The conference includes more than 20 distinct modules of training (representing over 40 hours of coursework!) designed for both new business owners and to support the needs of existing ventures. Topics addressed include business concepts, financing, guerrilla marketing, human resources, legal challenges, profit models, and more.
Phase 3 - Business Support
Phase III, V-WISE Biz Support, provides program graduates with technical assistance to start and grow their business. Graduates will have access to incorporation services, financing services, mentorship, and opportunities for further education and skill building with the IVMF and its partners, often at a reduced or waived cost. These services are available through a password protected website.
