WASHINGTON, July 11, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- There won't be any drill sergeants, but 100 veterans will start a two-day boot camp at the White House on Friday. Boots to Business: Reboot is an expansion of the training program developed by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, which is currently offered to transitioning service members, to veterans of all eras and their spouses. Instructors from the U.S. Small Business Administration and Syracuse University will teach veterans and transitioning service members the basics of pursuing self-employment and small business ownership.
"I can't think of a better way to show support for veterans' career and business goals than by hosting them at the White House," said Ray Toenniessen, Managing Director of Development and External Relations of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University. "We know veterans make the best entrepreneurs and we know veterans hire veterans, that's why IVMF and the SBA are so committed to training and educating veterans about entrepreneurship and small business ownership."
After launching at the White House, Boots to Business: Reboot will travel to 11 more cities across the country to empower veterans and veterans' spouses to create and contribute to their local economies as successful business owners. Today, there are nearly 2.5 million small businesses owned by veterans employing more than 5.7 million people and contributing close to $1.7 trillion to the nation's GDP.
"Veterans are a natural fit for entrepreneurship," said Rhett Jeppson, SBA Associate Administrator for the Office of Veteran Business Development. "The SBA is committed to ensuring veterans have every opportunity to build the foundations of a successful small business. IVMF is an essential partner in delivering this program to service members, veterans, and spouses."
The training is free for participants and veterans and spouses from all eras of service are eligible for the classes. There is still space available in several classes around the country so interested individuals should apply for the program as soon as possible at http://boots2business.org/reboot-apply.aspx.
ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES (IVMF) The IVMF is the first national center in higher education focused on the social, economic, education and policy issues impacting veterans and their families post-service. Through our focus on veteran-facing programming, research and policy, employment and employer support, and community engagement, the institute provides in-depth analysis of the challenges facing the veteran community; best practices and serves as a forum to facilitate new partnerships and strong relationships between individuals and organizations committed to making a difference for veterans and military families. Learn more about IVMF at http://vets.syr.edu. For questions about Boots to Business: Reboot contact James Schmeling: jschmeli@syr.edu.
ABOUT THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) VETERANS PROGRAMS: Each year SBA helps more than 200,000 veterans; service-disabled veterans and reservists start and grow their small businesses. To learn more about opportunities for veterans available through the SBA, visit www.sba.gov/vets.