Free Online Business Training for Vets Available

The UALR-based Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is making it possible for U.S. military veterans all over the world to receive free small business training on the Internet. On the web portal ArkansasVeteran.com, launched by ASBTDC in January, veterans can learn about starting a business, writing a business plan, getting back to business following a deployment, or marketing and managing a small business. “Web-based training is available any time to anyone anywhere in the world, which means we can offer training and resources to our Arkansas military men and women serving in Alaska or Afghanistan as well as veterans closer to home,” said Janet Roderick, ASBTDC state director. ASBTDC has converted two of its most popular live seminars into short online learning experiences featuring slides and audio narration. Veterans who are aspiring business owners will want to begin with “Starting a Business in Arkansas,” found at ArkansasVeteran.com/start. The program focuses on requirements for start-up businesses, keys to success, and common pitfalls to avoid and can be completed in less than an hour. “How to Write a Business Plan” can help entrepreneurs define their business concept and communicate their strategies and challenges. Included are a sample business plan, editable business plan outline, and ASBTDC’s Business Blueprints. For servicemen and women who already own businesses and are returning from or preparing for deployment, ArkansasVeteran.com offers “Getting Veterans Back to Business” and “Ready to Go: Mobilization Planning for Small Businesses.” Veterans wanting more in-depth instruction and information can create a free ArkansasVeteran.com user account to access any of 20 small business courses at no charge – a $600 value. Focusing on money, management, and marketing, the courses equip potential and current small business owners with real-world tools and information. Each takes about three hours to complete. Go to ArkansasVeteran.com/business to get started. ArkansasVeteran.com brings together in one place veterans-related resources, news, information and contacts for active-duty, Reserve, National Guard, and retired Arkansas veterans and their families. Since January, 2,727 unique visitors have logged on to the portal. The project is funded by a grant through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Veterans Assistance and Services Program. The ASBTDC assists new, existing, and innovation-based small businesses. Through a statewide network of seven offices, ASBTDC provides free consulting and market research services plus affordable training to the business community. The ASBTDC is a partnership of the SBA and the UALR College of Business. Learn more at asbtdc.ualr.edu.