September 17, 2019

2019 Veterans Small Business Roadshow coming to SIU Sept. 25

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Here’s a special rollcall just for veterans. If you’ve ever considered starting your own business or if you own a business and would like to see it grow, check out the 2019 Veterans Small Business Roadshow at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

The free Sept. 25 workshop will provide participants with all the information they need to start a business or help their existing enterprises grow and become more successful.

The event, which also includes time for networking, is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center in Carbondale.

Learn how to start a business, secure financing, marketing tips and more

Veterans will hear the ins and outs of operating a business from a panel of business experts. A wide variety of topics will be covered, with sessions focusing on:

  • Entrepreneurship for You! Exploring the Concept of Small Business Ownership – Veterans Edition: spotlighting the concepts of small business ownership, tailored just for veterans. The presenter is Ana Simpson, director of the Veterans Business Outreach Center at Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation.
  • Financing Your Business – by Charlie White, lender relations specialist for the Illinois Small Business Administration.
  • Kick Start Your Business – Marketing: Makeba Butler, associate director, veteran’s programs, for the Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago, will offer low- and no-cost ideas for improving the profitability of businesses.
  • Veterans Resources/Veteran Business Owners Question and Answer session, facilitated by Greg Bouhl, director of SIU’s Small Business Development Center.

All current and former military members welcome

The event is open to all current active duty military personnel, members of the National Guard and reserves, as well as all veterans of any era, and military family members who are interested in launching a business or who already own a business.

Complimentary meals

There is no cost to attend the 2019 Veterans Small Business Roadshow and it also features a complimentary continental breakfast and luncheon.

The roadshow is a collaborative effort of the Illinois Small Business Development Center, a unit of SIU’s Office of Economic and Regional Development, in conjunction with the Veterans Business Outreach Center and the United States Small Business Administration. Sponsors also include Newman’s Own and the Women’s Business Development Center.

Sign up now

There is no cost to participate in the roadshow but pre-registration is required and seating is limited. Additional details and registration are online. For more information, call 618/536-2424 or email sbdc@siu.edu.