October 23, 2023
Boots to Business Reboot entrepreneurship programs for vets coming to Carbondale and Cairo
CARBONDALE, Ill. — A unique entrepreneurship training program for veterans, active-duty service members and their spouses, Boots to Business (B2B) Reboot, is coming to Carbondale and Cairo courtesy of the United States Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC), co-hosted by the Illinois APEX Accelerator at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in partnership with the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SIU and the Illinois SBDC at Shawnee Community College.
The free, comprehensive entrepreneurial education and training program gives participants the skills, information and resources they need to become entrepreneurs and launch or develop a business.
“Our mission is to empower veterans to succeed as entrepreneurs,” said Keith S. Murphy, director of the Illinois Veterans Business Outreach Center at the SBA. “The partnership with the Illinois Apex Accelerator at SIU reinforces our commitment to equipping veterans with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in the business world.”
Both workshops, which take place during National Veterans Small Business Week, will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with lunch provided. The first session is Oct. 31 at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 1740 Innovation Drive, Carbondale. Sign up online.
The second session is Nov. 1 at the Shawnee Community College Extension Center, 2305 Washington Ave., Cairo. Register online.
Insights into business ownership, financing, other topics covered
The initiative is open to veterans of all eras as well as active-duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve, and their spouses. The program is facilitated by experts from the SBA and the Illinois APEX Accelerator who will share their expertise about an array of topics, including:
- Steps for developing business concepts.
- Creating a business plan.
- The resources and economics of launching a business.
- Where to look to finance for the venture.
- What valuable resources are available, especially from the SBA, to support entrepreneurs.
In addition, all participants who complete the course can expand upon their business training by taking one of the many online B2B courses, offered at no cost to service members, veterans and military spouses. Visit sbavets.force.com for more details.
For more information about the programs or any of the services offered through the Illinois APEX Accelerator, email brenda.j.henderson@siu.edu or call 618-536-2355.