# SBA to Celebrate National Veterans Small Business Week

**WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)** – Today, **Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman**, who serves as the head of the **U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)** and represents over 34 million small businesses across the country in President Biden’s Cabinet, announced the upcoming celebration of National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) from November 11 to 15. This vital week serves as an opportunity to recognize the contributions and entrepreneurial spirit of our nation’s veterans and their families.

### Honoring Veteran Entrepreneurs

“Each year during National Veterans Small Business Week, the SBA takes time to highlight the unique entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of veterans, active service members, National Guard members, Reservists, and military spouses,” stated **SBA Administrator Guzman**. “America is proud to be home to millions of veterans and service members who contribute greatly to our communities and the economy. Often, they are local small business owners and employees who provide valuable services to neighborhoods across the country. The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to enhancing and expanding our support for veterans, particularly in rural and underserved areas. It is a profound honor for us to serve those who have dedicated their lives to our country, during this week and every week of the year.”

### Events and Workshops During NVSBW

During NVSBW, the public is encouraged to attend a variety of virtual and in-person events happening nationwide. These events will focus on crucial topics relevant to veterans and entrepreneurs, including military-to-civilian transition assistance, entrepreneurial training, government contracting, disaster assistance, and access to capital resources. Attendees can find a comprehensive list of local, regional, and national events by checking the **event calendar**.

In an effort to further engage and educate the veteran community, the SBA will also host two national webinars as part of NVSBW activities. The first webinar, titled **Are You Lender Ready? For the Military Community**, is scheduled to take place on November 13 at 1 p.m. ET. This two-hour virtual workshop aims to equip veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs with essential skills for crafting a robust business loan application while also providing direct tips from lending professionals. Those interested can **register for the webinar** to secure their spot.

The second national webinar, titled **Certification Advantage for the Military Community**, will occur on November 14 at 1 p.m. ET. During this one-hour session, business owners will have the opportunity to explore how obtaining federal contracting certifications can accelerate their business growth. The workshop will offer practical insights that can significantly enhance their competitiveness for government contracts. Again, interested participants can **register for the webinar** to engage in this valuable learning experience.

### Recognizing Excellence: Boots to Business Instructors of the Year

As a part of this year’s NVSBW festivities, the SBA will honor five dedicated instructors who have significantly contributed to the **Boots to Business** program at various military installations and local communities across the nation. These individuals have played a pivotal role in educating and guiding veterans and their families in entrepreneurship. The honorees for the 2024 Boots to Business Instructors of the Year include:

– **Todd Bennett**, 2024 Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, an instructor based in South Korea.
– **Manzel McGhee**, 2024 SBDC Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, with the Abilene, Texas Small Business Development Center.
– **Mitchell Fitzpatrick**, 2024 VBOC Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, affiliated with the St. Louis VetBiz Veterans Business Outreach Center.
– **David Terrell**, 2024 SCORE Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, representing Southern Arizona SCORE.
– **Eric Phillips**, 2024 SBA Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, operating through the SBA Colorado District Office.

The recognition ceremony for the Boots to Business Instructors of the Year will take place virtually on November 21 at 1 p.m. ET. Participants can join the ceremony online or by dialing into the conference at 206-413-7980, entering the conference ID 644 263 054#.

### Resources for Veteran Entrepreneurs

#### About SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development

The **SBA Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD)** works diligently through a comprehensive network of resource partners, which includes Small Business Development Centers, the SCORE mentoring program, Women’s Business Centers, and 31 Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) located across the United States. VBOCs play a crucial role in hosting programs such as **Boots to Business** (B2B), **Boots to Business Reboot**, and the **Military Spouse Pathway to Business** program, all focusing on entrepreneurship education for military families. Since the inception of B2B in 2013, these programs have collectively trained over 217,000 service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses. To find out more about the resources available for veteran entrepreneurs, visit **www.sba.gov/veterans**.

### The Role of AI legalese decoder

For veterans and military family members navigating the complexities of starting or expanding a business, legal language can often present significant barriers. This is where **AI legalese decoder** can make a remarkable difference. By transforming intricate legal jargon into plain language, AI legalese decoder helps entrepreneurs understand contracts, grant opportunities, and government requirements with ease. For those engaged in the workshops during NVSBW, or for any veteran entrepreneur looking to access SBA resources, utilizing AI legalese decoder could provide clear insights and better equip them to make informed decisions for their businesses.

#### About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The **U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)** is dedicated to empowering the American dream of business ownership. As a vital resource and advocate for small businesses, backed by the federal government’s strength, the SBA provides entrepreneurs and small business owners with the tools, resources, and support necessary to start, grow, or expand their operations or recover from a declared disaster. The SBA delivers critical services through a vast network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. For more information, visit **www.sba.gov**.