When transitioning back to civilian life, many veterans find that they are well-equipped to become entrepreneurs. Their military experience tends to provide them with many suitable skills such as discipline, ambition, and teamwork. The phenomenon referred to as “Vetrepreneurship” has become more popular with veterans who have retired from service in the 21st century.
Culture Shock
For veterans who have just returned from their assignments, readjusting to everyday life can be a challenge. Many veterans who decide to follow the entrepreneurial path have ample experience and resources to succeed, and starting a business can actually help veterans adjust to civilian life. Rather than feeling like they need to learn an entirely new set of skills, veterans often find that the skills they cultivated in the military—particularly “soft” skills such as communication and leadership—are not only beneficial for entrepreneurs but are actually required for success. Applying existing skill sets to a new pursuit can help veterans better adjust to a life after their military experiences, alleviating some of the pressure of culture shock and prompting a successful subsequent career.
In a similar fashion, starting a business allows for tangible tasks and challenges. Veterans are exceptionally equipped to address such things. Not only are veterans fully capable of starting their own businesses, but they may find that doing so provides them with a sense of purpose and increased motivation, further helping them adjust to everyday life.
Veteran-Owned
More than 2.5 million businesses in the United States are owned by veterans. These businesses span across a variety of industries. From food distribution to analytics and logistics, veteran-owned businesses have flooded the nation.
There is a significant push for the success and longevity of veteran-owned businesses. Resources like the US Veteran Entrepreneur Portal (VEP) exist to help veterans manage their business operations as well as their finances and promote a path to success. Additionally, the Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a number of financing programs for veterans to help them get started with their ventures.
Veteran-owned businesses help create jobs, and perhaps more importantly, they are often keen on hiring veterans as employees. After leaving the service, many veterans have difficulty finding sufficient employment, so these opportunities are essential for the support and sustainability of the veteran community.
Veterans are an essential part of American society. Vetrepreneurs are continuing to populate the business world with their incredible companies. It is important for civilians to support these ventures as well as the veterans who own and operate them.