How to Start a Business as a Veteran

You’ve already proven you can handle whatever gets thrown your way. Leading a team through a challenging mission or solving problems with few resources taught you skills that most business school graduates spend years trying to develop. Now it’s time to put those abilities to work for yourself!

Over 2.52 million Veterans have made the jump from military service to business ownership, creating companies that employ millions of Americans and add billions to the economy. They didn’t succeed because they had secret knowledge or unlimited funding. Many have succeeded because they approached business the same way they approached their military careers. This guide will show you how you can work toward a similar goal. 

Here’s everything you need to know about connecting your military experience to real business opportunities—with resources that many Veteran entrepreneurs might not otherwise know exist!

• Step 1: Identify and leverage your military experience
• Step 2: Build the foundations of your small business
• Step 3: Fund your Veteran business
• Step 4: Explore resources, certifications and business training
• Step 5: Grow and maintain your business

Step 1: Identify and leverage your military experience

You may not realize it, but military service can give you an edge in business. While other entrepreneurs learn leadership and crisis management through trial and error, you’ve already mastered these skills under real pressure. This includes skills like strategic planning, resource management, leadership, complex problem-solving and much more.

The question isn’t whether you have what it takes to succeed in business. It’s how to best use what you already know. Think about skills and situations you faced daily during your service. Ask yourself: How does this work in the business world?

The VA Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program

Need help turning your service experience into a business career? The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program can support your business venture. This program knows that regular employment isn’t always the best fit for Veterans. The VR&E self-employment track can provide:

• Training in business skills and entrepreneurship
• Help with developing your business plan
• Guidance on market research and feasibility studies
• Support for necessary business equipment and supplies

To qualify, you’ll need to show how self-employment will help you reach your career goals and provide a business plan with high success potential. You’ll also need to show that your business plan has a good chance of success. This program also offers great support for Veterans whose disabilities limit regular work options.

Step 2: Build the foundations of your small business 

Once you’ve figured out how your military skills work for business, it’s time to lay the groundwork for your venture. This means honest self-assessment about the type of work you want to do and whether your business idea will work. Then you’ll need to create a plan that sets you up for success.

Self-assess and set expectations

Setting clear expectations is the first step toward building a business you’ll love. Before diving into any business idea, take time to think about what you want from entrepreneurship. Ask yourself:

• What are your interests outside of work or service?
• Which military skills did you enjoy using most?
• What lifestyle do you want your business to support?
• Do you prefer working alone or leading a team?
• Do you thrive on independence or prefer structured environments?

Your answers will guide you toward business opportunities that match both your abilities and your interests. For instance, a logistics specialist might do well running a supply chain consulting firm. A former recruiter might trend toward staffing services or executive coaching.

Develop your business idea

Great business ideas solve real problems. Start by identifying challenges you’ve observed in your community, industry or daily life. Ask: Could my military experience help solve this problem better than existing solutions? Then, conduct basic market research to validate your idea:

• Talk to potential clients about their pain points.
• Research competitors and find gaps in their offerings.
• Find out if people will pay for your solution.
• Calculate the size of your potential market.

Even if your solution already exists, look for ways to do it better. Veterans have successfully started small businesses in everything from cybersecurity and logistics to fitness training and project consulting.

Write a solid business plan

A business plan isn’t just paperwork. It’s your roadmap to success and the key to getting funding. It should include a clear overview of your business concept, an operational plan, management structure, market analysis and financial projections—all laid out in an easy-to-understand document. 

Don’t know where to start? The SBA offers excellent resources through Boots to Business (B2B) training. It’s a two-day entrepreneurship course available to transitioning Servicemembers and their spouses. You can also get free, personalized help from your local Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC) in 31 locations nationwide. These centers offer counseling and mentoring tailored to Veteran entrepreneurs.

 

Step 3: Fund your Veteran business

Access to capital is often the biggest hurdle for new entrepreneurs. The good news? Veterans have access to exclusive funding options designed to help them launch and grow their businesses. From special loan programs to grants designed for Veteran entrepreneurs, you have more financing paths than you might realize.

• SBA Veterans Training Programs offer support for veterans as they enter the world of business ownership. They provide funding programs, training, and federal contracting opportunities. The SBA has loan programs, to find the best one for your business.
• Veteran small business grants don’t require repayment, making them incredibly valuable for startups. Organizations like the Veterans Community Fund, Warrior Rising and various state-level programs offer grants ranging from $1,000 to $50,000. While competitive, these grants are made just to support Veteran entrepreneurs.
• Traditional business loans from institutions like Navy Federal Credit Union offer competitive rates and terms for qualified borrowers. Navy Federal understands military experience and offers special business banking services designed with Veterans in mind.

Setting up your business finances

No matter how you fund your venture, it’s important to separate business and personal finances from day one. Opening dedicated business checking and savings accounts will help you simplify tax preparation and bookkeeping and help protect your personal assets.

You should also consider establishing a business line of credit early, even if you don’t need it. Having access to flexible funding can help you manage cash flow changes and the many unexpected expenses that come with starting up a new business.

Legal structure and registration

Depending on the type of business you’re operating, you’ll also need to decide on a business structure. Explore the pros and cons of a Sole Proprietorship, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and a Corporation (S-Corp or C-Corp) and decide which structure works best for your business. 

From there, you can register your business name, get necessary licenses and permits, and get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. If it seems complicated, don’t worry: Your local Small Business Development Center can help guide you through these requirements.

Setting up operations

Right from the start, focus on creating the systems and processes that will deliver value to your customers. Start by mapping out your customer experience from first contact to final delivery. This helps identify the infrastructure you’ll need.

Speaking of infrastructure, you’ll need a home base. Many Veteran-owned businesses start from home offices to keep overhead low. Others need dedicated facilities for manufacturing, storage or client meetings. You’ll also need to set up your essential tech, including business phone systems, email addresses, software and any industry-specific tools you’ll need to serve customers well.

Step 4: Explore resources, certifications and business training

One of the biggest advantages of being a Veteran entrepreneur is access to programs and opportunities created specifically to support your success. These aren’t just nice-to-have benefits. They’re game-changing advantages that can significantly speed up your business growth.

Veteran-owned business certification

Registering and certifying as a Veteran-owned business can open doors to exclusive contracting opportunities, networking events and business development programs. The federal government has specific goals for awarding contracts to Veteran-owned businesses. This creates a built-in market for your services. 

For most Veteran-specific programs, at least 51% of your business must be directly owned and controlled by one or more Veterans or service-disabled Veterans. Veterans with a service-connected disability may also qualify for additional benefits and specialized government contracting opportunities.

Veterans First Contracting Program

The VA’s Veterans First Contracting Program gives priority to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) when awarding contracts. To participate, your business must be verified through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) Program.

MySBA Certification and federal contracting

MySBA Certification provides access to sole-source and set-aside contracts across all federal agencies, not just the VA. To do business with the federal government, you must register in SAM.gov (System for Award Management). This free registration makes your business visible to contracting officers and allows you to bid on federal opportunities.

Veteran and military spouse entrepreneurship bootcamps

There’s no shortage of Veteran-backed groups that offer support for fellow entrepreneurs. As you get the ball rolling on your venture, look into Veteran-focused organizations and programs such as Bunker Labs and V-WISE—both of which are connected to Syracuse University and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)—and DAV Patriot Boot Camp, which offers free business education, mentorship and live events for Veteran small business owners.

State and local opportunities

Many states and municipalities have their own Veteran business certification programs and set-aside contracting opportunities. VetFran is a program of the International Franchise Association that supports some state and local initiatives and Veterans interested in franchising opportunities, offering resources and guidance for those exploring franchise ownership. These local programs often have less competition than federal contracts and can provide great stepping stones to larger opportunities.

Step 5: Grow and maintain your business

Getting your venture off the ground is only the beginning. Sustainable business growth requires smart marketing, strong networks and understanding how to use opportunities unique to Veteran-owned businesses.

Marketing and building your brand

Your military background is part of your brand story—use it honestly. Many customers go out of their way to support Veteran-owned businesses. But your service experience should add to—not replace—your business value proposition. Strive to tell your story through a professional website, targeted social media presence and content that shows your expertise. You can raise your business profile by speaking about your team on your site. This can give you the opportunity to connect on other social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter). 

Leveraging veteran networks and resources

The Veteran business community is incredibly supportive; take advantage of it! Organizations like SCORE provide ongoing mentorship from experienced business owners who understand your background. You can also connect with other Veteran entrepreneurs through local Veteran business organizations, industry-specific Veteran groups and Veterans Business Outreach Centers.

Government contracting opportunities

The federal government has specific goals for awarding contracts to Veteran-owned businesses, creating billions in opportunities each year. Government contracting requires patience and persistence, but the rewards are well worth it. Understanding the process, building relationships with contracting officers and maintaining your certifications are ongoing requirements.

Navy Federal is Here to Help You Get Started

You have everything you need to succeed as a Veteran entrepreneur—the skills, the resources and the roadmap. Whether you’re exploring options or ready to expand operations, Navy Federal Credit Union’s business solutions are designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage. From business banking and competitive loan options to professional guidance that recognizes the unique strengths you bring to business ownership, we’re your partner for success.