Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities landed at UCLA Anderson for its 2013 program last week. Launched at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management, the program provides free entrepreneurship training to veterans with a service-connected disability.
EBV delivers real-world-focused experience through two central elements: “First, focused, practical training in the tools and skills of new venture creation and growth, reflecting issues unique to disability and public benefits programs; and second the establishment of a support structure for graduates of the program.” Class topics include public relations, real estate, HR, operations and supply chain. The program concludes with a pitch fest.
Bobbi Collins, U.S. Navy commander (retired), found the EBV program while searching for veterans entrepreneurial support programs online. As a supply corps officer with the Navy, Collins knew about supply chain issues and plans on using that experience in her new venture. The EBV program, both the online coursework and classroom curriculum, prompted Collins to dig deeper into her goals and ask much harder questions in order to refine her general idea and develop her business proposal.
“Over the years, I read books and attended seminars on starting and running a business. While each had valuable information, none was able to guide me through the process and provide the information in such an actionable way,” she says.
Those questions helped Collins hone her supply chain focused idea, designed to help small businesses expand their offerings without a large investment on space or inventory. Specifically, she will help mom and pop quilt shops offer a wider range of materials and drop ship them directly to customers through those stores. “Rather than trying to take a market share, I am proposing expanding or growing the current market for quilt fabrics,” she says.
Back home, she is compiling questions and a distribution list to conduct market research with quilt-shop owners and validating the best shipping and account management systems. When the results of her research are done, she can meet with key fabric suppliers. “After these steps are complete I will finalize my business plan and secure the funding needed,” she says. “With the network, access to resources and obvious dedication the entire EBV network has to the success of veterans, it is hands down the best program I have experienced.”
Captain Chris McGleinnaiss, USMC; Recovering Servicemember at Wounded Warrior Bn-West, Detachment Hawai’i, discovered EBV at the Operation Jumpstart workshop provided by Wounded Warrior. He applied, and now calls the program inspiring and therapeutic for its interaction with other business-minded disabled vets. He also recommends it for its curriculum and focus on setting participants up for success. “I am extremely thankful for the opportunity and astounded by the care and support of the entire UCLA EBV team,” he says. “Not only are the professors impressive, but the administrative support was phenomenal.”
His proposed start-up venture is an adaptive-sports nonprofit bringing activities to the disabled veteran community “with a focus on positive coaching and mentorship to foster well-being, a greater mindset for recovery and developing life skills.” He plans an alliance, bringing together existing organizations in community events focused around adaptive sports. “My overall intent is to stop the cycle of suicides amongst the veteran community by bringing back the camaraderie and zest for life that is often missing in a veteran's life today,” he says.
Now back in Hawai’i, he’s focusing on building relationships with other programs and addressing community and veterans’ needs. As he takes those next steps, he says he’ll continue to draw on his EBV experience. “The UCLA EBV team definitely delivered on their promise and I believe all participants walk away with a sense of hope for the future and comfort knowing that the support does not stop upon graduation from the program.”
Begun in 2007, the EBV program now includes a consortium of schools, including UCLA Anderson School of Management, Florida State University's College of Business, Mays Business School at Texas A&M, The Krannert School of Management at Purdue University and the University of Connecticut School of Business. All fees and room and board are covered through university, corporate and individual support.
Click for more on EBV and application procedures.
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