This a resource page for those people who have or woudl like to start a small business. There is a special section of links for veterans about half way down the page.
http://www.osec.doc.gov/osdbu/Other_sma ... .htm#vosb1
Dept of Commerce link
Moderator: Site Admin
Dept of Commerce link
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -Henery Louis Mencken (1880-1956)
"I might not be Airborne however, it's whats on my right sleave!"
*1992-1996 USMC CPL
* 12/2005- present USAR Medic PL/ Human Terrain Teams
"I might not be Airborne however, it's whats on my right sleave!"
*1992-1996 USMC CPL
* 12/2005- present USAR Medic PL/ Human Terrain Teams
I do a lot of Biz Dev at my company, which is a small business that does a lot of DOD high tech stuff. We have had a lot of success with the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) programs. DOD, DOE, DHS and other govt. agencies issue research topics under this program. With most DOD topics, a Phase I 6 month effort is worth $70K, and a Phase II 2-year effort is worth $750K. If you can get to Phase III, those are pretty open ended, and are also sole source. I have two Phase III efforts going right now at about $10 million apiece.
One of the big weaknesses I've seen in my company's competitors is a lack of military subject matter expertise. Usually, you get a bunch of scientists and engineers that try to come up with a solution to a DOD research topic like command and control, battlefield visualization, etc. The solutions are hilarious at times. If anybody is interested in pursuing this type of stuff, I can probably give you some pointers on how to win these types of contracts.
One of the big weaknesses I've seen in my company's competitors is a lack of military subject matter expertise. Usually, you get a bunch of scientists and engineers that try to come up with a solution to a DOD research topic like command and control, battlefield visualization, etc. The solutions are hilarious at times. If anybody is interested in pursuing this type of stuff, I can probably give you some pointers on how to win these types of contracts.
RGR Class 8-78
A Team FIST, HHC, 1/75 80-82 Hunter AAF
An Armed Society is a Polite Society
A Team FIST, HHC, 1/75 80-82 Hunter AAF
An Armed Society is a Polite Society
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- Ranger/LRRP/Admin
- Posts: 8306
- Joined: June 22nd, 2006, 8:47 am
Might try SCORE. They help small business get started.Matador275 wrote:Has anyone here ever contacted the VA to get a Small Business loan?
http://www.score.org/
SUA SPONTE - "We few, we happy few, we BAND OF BROTHERS;
for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!" - Shakespeare
RLTW! - Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave
RS 3-70
SSG VN 69-70
I Co., 75th. Inf.
4/9 Inf., 25th ID
Mentored Ranger kozzman555
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 183
http://www.ranger.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 3537
for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!" - Shakespeare
RLTW! - Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave
RS 3-70
SSG VN 69-70
I Co., 75th. Inf.
4/9 Inf., 25th ID
Mentored Ranger kozzman555
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 183
http://www.ranger.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 3537
Read and heed my advice on starting a company-
1. Never EVER sign a personal guarantee on any lease or contract.
2. Make it a requirement for hiring that all prospective employees first submit to a credit report and criminal background investigation.
3. Insurance is boring- insurance can also save your ass. Make sure you sit down with a good business insurance agent and thoroughly understand what kinds of coverage are available and how they can protect you. Read your entire policy, front to back. Then read it again.
4. If you are going to have partners make sure you choose them more carefully than a spouse. Having done both, the stakes are higher in business and the results are messier and more expensive when things go wrong.
5. Accounting, HR and tax issues can burn you quicker than anything else. Make sure you have these bases covered from the start.
1. Never EVER sign a personal guarantee on any lease or contract.
2. Make it a requirement for hiring that all prospective employees first submit to a credit report and criminal background investigation.
3. Insurance is boring- insurance can also save your ass. Make sure you sit down with a good business insurance agent and thoroughly understand what kinds of coverage are available and how they can protect you. Read your entire policy, front to back. Then read it again.
4. If you are going to have partners make sure you choose them more carefully than a spouse. Having done both, the stakes are higher in business and the results are messier and more expensive when things go wrong.
5. Accounting, HR and tax issues can burn you quicker than anything else. Make sure you have these bases covered from the start.
S-2, HQ 75th, 1985-1987
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- Ranger/LRRP/Admin
- Posts: 8306
- Joined: June 22nd, 2006, 8:47 am
VERY sound advice from someone who might just know!IntelToad wrote:Read and heed my advice on starting a company-
1. Never EVER sign a personal guarantee on any lease or contract.
2. Make it a requirement for hiring that all prospective employees first submit to a credit report and criminal background investigation.
3. Insurance is boring- insurance can also save your ass. Make sure you sit down with a good business insurance agent and thoroughly understand what kinds of coverage are available and how they can protect you. Read your entire policy, front to back. Then read it again.
4. If you are going to have partners make sure you choose them more carefully than a spouse. Having done both, the stakes are higher in business and the results are messier and more expensive when things go wrong.
5. Accounting, HR and tax issues can burn you quicker than anything else. Make sure you have these bases covered from the start.
Unless you are going to be a one man show, the BEST thing about your business will be the people you hire and the WORST thing about your business will be the people you hire.
SUA SPONTE - "We few, we happy few, we BAND OF BROTHERS;
for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!" - Shakespeare
RLTW! - Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave
RS 3-70
SSG VN 69-70
I Co., 75th. Inf.
4/9 Inf., 25th ID
Mentored Ranger kozzman555
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 183
http://www.ranger.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 3537
for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!" - Shakespeare
RLTW! - Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave
RS 3-70
SSG VN 69-70
I Co., 75th. Inf.
4/9 Inf., 25th ID
Mentored Ranger kozzman555
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 183
http://www.ranger.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 3537