March 1-7th marks National Invest In Veterans Week, a week dedicated to celebrating the contributions of veteran-owned small businesses to our economy and encouraging people to support businesses started by our Veteran community. As a nation, we owe a great debt of gratitude to our veterans, and this week is an opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of veterans who are now business owners.
Small business owners are the backbone of our economy, and veteran-owned businesses are no exception. In fact, veterans have been found to be twice as likely to start a business than non-veterans. In honor of National Invest In Veterans Week, let’s take a look at why investing in veteran-owned businesses is so important.
First and foremost, veteran-owned businesses are often a source of employment for other veterans. By investing in veteran-owned businesses, we can help these businesses grow and create more jobs for fellow veterans. This not only gives veterans a chance to gain meaningful employment, but also helps to reduce veteran unemployment rates.
In addition, veteran-owned businesses are often more successful than non-veteran businesses. This is due in part to the valuable skills that veterans bring to the table. Veterans are often highly trained in areas such as leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving, all of which are invaluable in the business world.
Finally, investing in veteran-owned businesses is also good for the economy as a whole. Veteran-owned businesses are often more innovative than non-veteran businesses, which can lead to new products and services that can benefit consumers. In addition, veteran-owned businesses often have higher levels of customer satisfaction, which can lead to increased revenue and a better overall economy.
This National Invest In Veterans Week, Action Zone will be partnering with some local VOB and non-profit organizations to highlight their mission and recognize the hard work and dedication of their businesses. By investing in these businesses, we can help to create jobs for veterans, boost the economy, and ensure that the contributions of our veterans are not forgotten.
We hope that you will join us and show your support for this special celebration.
Here is a tentative schedule of the events that we will be hosting to commemorate this special week:
March 1st, 9am – 10:00am @ Entrepreneur Collaborative Center (ECC)1 -------- Million Cups - two Veteran Owned Business to present https://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/locations/entrepreneur-collaborative-center
March 2nd, 11am – 1pm @ inLab (HCC Dale Mabry)
Veteran Service Organization Panel: Learn how various VSOs in Tampa Bay are helping the Veteran Community.
Panelist: Chelsea Crowly, Veterans Relief Fund; Greg Fallon, Tampa Bay VetNet
4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd, Tampa, FL
5:30pm - 8pm Tampa Bay VetNet Networking @ Brickhouse Tavern Tampa
1102 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33607
March 3rd - 11am – 1pm @ Action Zone (ECC)
Suicide prevention resources: Learn about both VA and private resources to help you or a loved one.
Panelist: Tony Williams, Veterans Serving Veterans; Dr. Carlos Garcia, Tampa Counseling & Wellness
Entrepreneur Support Organizations: Learn about the magnitude of resources to help you start a new or grow your current business.
Panelist: Action Zone Representative; Don Fried, Bunker Labs; DeSheun Hines, InLab; Lynn Kroesen, ECC
2101 E Palm Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
March 6th –
5:30 – 7:30pm Military Spouse Networking
2010 W Morrison Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
March 7th –
12pm – 1pm @ SOCOM Resource Center about Transition Opportunities (MacDill AFB)
6pm – 8pm: Closing Celebration @ Lee’s Grocery
No host social celebration
2210 N Central Ave, Tampa, FL 33602