Welcome to the SoCal Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC)

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program provides entrepreneurial development services such as Boots to Business/Reboot, counseling, and referrals for eligible Veterans owning or considering starting a small business.

On this website you will find information on a variety of training events and how to register for Boots to Business/Reboot and workshops on topic such as government contracting.

Our mission is to help create, develop and retain Veteran-owned small business!

Connect with a Business Consultant

Set up an appointment today with a Business Consultant to accelerate your growth!

Manage a Successful Business

We’re here to help Veterans start or expand their business vision.

Get started today and email us at [email protected]!

Training & Events

Free local workshops & events to support and help start and grow your small business.

Learn about our training workshops & events

Workshops and events to grow your business including Government Contracting in a Day and  Meet the Buyers.

Boots to Business

Boots to Business

An entrepreneurial training program designed for transitioning service members and military spouses.

Curriculum Includes:

Evaluating business concepts, understanding business plan concepts, accessing start-up capital and additional technical assistance to launch your business.

Boots to Business | Reboot

Boots to Business Reboot

An entrepreneurial training program designed for Veterans of all eras, Guard, Reserve and military-connected family members.

Curriculum Includes:

Identifying business opportunities, learning market research techniques, understanding business plan concepts and connecting with local small business resources to launch your small business.

Vetrepreneur of the Year 2024

VETREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR 2024

The search has begun for exceptional veteran entrepreneurs to compete for the 2024 Vetrepreneur® of the Year (VOY) Award.

Since 2006, this prestigious award has recognized the resilience, determination, and success of those who have transitioned from the military to become extraordinary business leaders. It’s time to honor the heroes who not only served our country but continue to serve and inspire through their entrepreneurial journey.

Nominations open from March 14 – May 24, 2024

Women Veterans Giving Small Business Award

Women Veterans Giving
MELISSA WASHINGTON SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

The Melissa Washington Small Business Award (MWSBA) will now be available each quarter beginning in Quarter 2 of 2024. The award will be up to $5,000 and will be up to the discretion of the awards committee and Women Veterans Giving Board of Directors.

Application Cycles:

  • Q2 Cycle: Applications open on April 1st and close on June 30th, with awards announced in Q3.
  • Q3 Cycle: Mark your calendars for July 1st to September 30th, with awards presented in Q4.
  • Q4 Cycle: Applications for the final quarter of 2024 open on October 1st and close on December 31st, with awards given in Q1 of 2025.
Vetrepreneur Franchise Workshop

VETREPRENEUR FRANCHISE WORKSHOP

This Franchising Bootcamp teaches you the basics and benefits of franchising, including the different types of franchises, how to identify which one fits you best, and financing.

Get up to speed with everything you need to know to help you in your goal to becoming your own boss.

FRIDAY, APRIL 5 OR 19, 2024
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM PT

Creating Winning Proposals for the Government

CREATING WINNING PROPOSALS
for the Government

Responding to an RFP for government contracting can be difficult, especially if you’ve never done it.

This workshop will focus specifically on proposals, which are typically required for larger, more complex jobs that require more than just a price quote for a specific product.

TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2024
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT

Marketing Essentials for Veteran Owned Businesses

MARKETING ESSENTIALS: ADVANCED TRAINING
for Veteran Owned Businesses

Have you attended the Marketing Fundamentals: Basic Training class and are still wondering how to best market your Veteran Owned Business?

Marketing Essentials builds on the concepts presented in the Marketing Fundamentals workshop to dive deeper into the some of the most effective marketing opportunities available to small business owners including branding, customer relationship management, advertising, digital marketing, search engine marketing, and content marketing.

THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2024
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT

Business Plans in Action Workshop with the SoCal VBOC

BUSINESS PLANS IN ACTION

Whether you are launching, expanding or pivoting your business, this deep dive will take you through the process of how to complete each step in the business plan outline.

Topics include creating an executive summary, industry and market analysis, marketing strategy, operations and organizational design, implementation, financial strategy, financial management, record keeping, cash management, forecasting, personnel and exit strategy.

TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT

Marketing Fundamentals for Veteran Owned Businesses

MARKETING FUNDAMENTALS: BASIC TRAINING
for Veteran Owned Businesses

Have you wondered what marketing is? How to get started? How it can help your Veteran owned business?

Are you aware of the fundamental 4 Ps? Do you want to learn more about why research is needed or how customer service fits in all of this?

If you answered yes to any of the questions, please join us for the SoCal VBOC’s Marketing Fundamentals for Veteran Owned Businesses.

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2024
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT

Womens Veterans Engage

WOMEN VETERANS ENGAGE
Empowered Warriors: Navigating Transitions, Igniting Purpose, and Cultivating Well-Being

Engaging, Inspiring, & Motivating- Professional Development and Personal Growth

Open to women veterans, active duty, guard, reserve, spouses and supporters who can watch online or join in person.
Learn about organizations’ programs and events.

GUEST SPEAKERS
Jenn Donahue | Navy Veteran, Founder Dare to Rise
Simonia Blassingame | Navy Veteran, Found & CEO SANE Leadership Inc
Dr. Deborah Howell | Navy Veteran Founder & CEO Victory in Action

APRIL 27, 2024 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Veterans Association of North County
1617 Mission Aventure, Oceanside, CA 92058

She Talks Women's Product Entrepreneur & Inventor Summit

SHE TALKS
Women’s Product Entrepreneur & Inventor’s Summit

This two-day event, hosted in beautiful Coronado, CA, will include influential keynote speakers who have successfully taken products to market, “roll-up-your-sleeves” workshops designed to give you take-aways specific for your business or idea, and an inspiring investor pitch day in front of a highly respected panel of judges and an engaged live audience.

Dynamic Speakers, Panels, Workshops
Networking
Product Pitch Contest: Submission Deadline March 31, 2024 at 9:00 PM PT

APRIL 27 – 28, 2024
Coronado, CA

Ecommerce for Those Who Serve and Their Families by the SoCal VBOC

ECOMMERCE
For Those Who Serve & Their Families

This ecommerce workshop is built around the amazing men and women who sacrifice so much in support of their military and veteran partners and those who serve.

Join us and learn how to build a business that can travel around the world with you and your family!

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2024
10:00 PM to 12:00 PM PT

Are You Ready for Government Contracting workshop by the SoCal VBOC

Are You Ready for
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING?

Are you a Veteran business owner interested in government contracting and ready to learn the steps to get started?

This webinar will help you evaluate your business, educate you on government contracting processes and requirements, provide you with marketing tools and resources, help you determine if the government market is a fit for your business, and get you started on the first steps.

This course is designed for individuals with a very minimal understanding of government contracting.

Facilitated by Mike Sabellico, Senior Procurement Advisor, San Diego, Orange, Imperial PTAC

TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT

Military personnel shaking hands.

GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATIONS

Presented by the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and the SoCal Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC)

You will learn about Federal, State and Local Certifications:

  • The Vets First Verification Program
  • Requirements, qualifications, and application steps for the 8(a) Business Development Program
  • Woman-Owned Small Business certification
  • HUBZone certification for businesses located in geographic areas with above-average unemployment and below-average annual income
  • Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business certification
  • Small Business certification, a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise certification and a new Small Business (for the purpose of Public Works) certification

TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2024
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT

The SoCal Veterans Business Outreach Center at MiraCosta College is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Are you looking to start or grow your Veteran-owned business?