Call us for an updated calendar of events for 2010 & 2011!
Education (website will be updated soon!)
We have partnered with several private and public universities to build an aggressive and relatively short business education program. Together we will provide Veterans or their family members an academic curriculum to provide the skills and tools they need to run successful small businesses. Statistics show that 90% of all start-up businesses fail within the first year of their existence. This is typically not because of a lack of passion, energy or even vision. Clearly the entrepreneur is knowledgeable of the basic product or service their business seeks to offer the market. More often than not, though, the failure of the business is caused by the entrepreneurs’ lack of business knowledge: how to set up financial statements, how to manage cash flow, inventory valuation, tax laws, etc.
The VICTRI will also host several seminars and roundtables that add to the general business knowledge of the Veteran-Owned Business Community. These areas of interest include contracting with the government, sales & marketing and supply-chain management. Because of the stressful nature of entrepreneurialism, we also offer seminars in life balance, personal finances and Veteran benefits.
Upcoming Seminars:
October 21st, 2009: 6 – 9pm
Cost: $35 Location: The VICTRI
Speaker: Shawn Murphy, Strategic Evolution Consulting Inc.
Financial Risk, Credit & Cash Management: In these times, developing business' strategies need to include error-free and efficient daily operations and processes. Financial professionals look to create robust policies that identify and mitigate risk, but may be unavailable to small business owners. Register by emailing the speaker at SMMurphy_StrategicEvolution@charter.net.
October 29th, 2009: 9am – 12pm (Seminar sign-in begins at 8:30am)
Cost: $75 Location: Bloomington Workforce Center, 4220 West Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington
Selling to the Federal Government: Successful Strategies: This seminar is designed for companies that are looking for ways to break open the federal market. Learn how to resolve your sales focus, identify and cultivate SME’s, effectively research your market & competition, get the attention of federal prime contractors and make appropriate bid/no-bid decisions. Pre-registration required by Monday, October 26th @ http://www.ptac-meda.net/SiteViewer.aspx?tabid=277&mid=94.
November 13th, 2009: 9am – 12pm (Seminar sign-in begins at 8:30am) Cost: $75 Location: Bloomington Workforce Center, 4220 West Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington
GSA Schedules and More: A Business Perspective: This workshop is designed for companies already working the Federal market who want to know more about the GSA Schedules programs and what it can do for them, including the GSA Proposal process; vendor selection and contract awards, plus GSA online resources. Pre-registration required by Monday, November 9th @ http://www.ptac-meda.net/SiteViewer.aspx?tabid=277&mid=94.
November 16th, 2009 8:30am - 12pm (Sign-in begins at 8:00)
Cost: $30 Location: Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company, 2501 Wayzata Blvd, Minneapolis
Speakers: Attorneys from Eckland & Blando, LLP
Advanced Contracting Series: “Opportunity Knocks: Finding & Managing Government Contracting Opportunities”: Through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) there is an unprecedented number of opportunities for small businesses to contract with the government. Attorneys from Eckland & Bland LLP will cover where those opportunties are and the new compliance rules issued by the current administration. Pre-registration required by Wednesday, November 11th Register at: http://www.abcsignup.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0064-0006-bb560a53a5f5401dbd31ee857dd1bcd4
November 18th, 2009 9am – 3:30pm (Seminar sign-in begins at 8:30am)
Cost: Free Location: Hiway Federal Credit Union Community Room, 840 Westminster Street, St. Paul, MN
Speakers from SBA, SCORE, PTAC, the VA and the US Army Corps of Engineers Small Business Workshop for Veterans and Service Members: A day-long seminar to help Veteran entrepreneurs be successful in obtaining financing for their businesses, working with the Small Business Administration, contracting with the government, etc. Registration TBD.
November 20th, 2009: 9am – 12pm (Seminar sign-in begins at 8:30am)
Cost: $30 Location: Bloomington Workforce Center, 4220 West Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington
Custom Manufacturing for the Military: This training is geared for the manufacturer that focuses on fabricated metal products, casting, non-metal components and other related industries, who are interested in selling to the Department of Defense. Pre-registration required by Monday, November 16th @ http://www.ptac-meda.net/SiteViewer.aspx?tabid=277&mid=94.
Several additional seminars to be announced in the future.
Providing classes on these topics to the Veteran entrepreneur and family members in a condensed and practical method will increase the success rates of Veteran start-ups and contribute greatly to the sustainability of existing Veteran-owned business. These education programs will also provide Veterans and their family members a Business Education Certificate they can add to their Business Plan Presentation to increase their marketability to potential investors, as well as reward the Veteran entrepreneur for achieving this important first step toward achieving their goals.