From the Editor
"You're In Good Company"
Make absolutely no mistake my friends, you are in the company of some of the best men and women the
world has ever known. They built the most powerful economy on the planet and secure the lands that
protect our families today. This is not a free ride. Written by Thomas Jefferson, the United States
Declaration of Independence asserts: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men
are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that
among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights,
Governments are instituted among Men." It is safe to say that those rights are derived
from a consensual contract between the government and the people and with those rights come
responsibilities. American Veteran men and women earned and protected what we exercise each and
every day, natural rights and protection, under the Constitution of The United States of America.
The only reason generations of children are given the option to exercise those exact same rights
and protection today are directly due to honorable, responsible, educated, disciplined and
determined persons, primarily veterans.
The United States of America was a
crippled duck in the decade of the 1930's. In the global arena, we were not looked upon as a
country that could be depended upon to do what we said. That is a fact. United States Veterans
proved the world wrong. U.S. Veterans arrived home after military service to again, a tremendous
task, ... to "Say what you do ... Do what you say ... and Do it well". They stepped up to
the plate, applied the skills, discipline and determination they acquired during military service
to this task and they built America, one small business at a time into what it is today. At
the same time they also rebuilt a large portion of the war torn world.
The phrase so often utilized to
substantiate commitment, "put your money where your mouth is" is not genarally
recognized by veterans. They are much bigger than that. United States Military Veterans as
individuals have made an intimately personal investment in America, they have put their time and
lives "where their mouth is.". They showed up. They delivered as much as
Nathan Hale. They " Said what they would do
... they did what they said ... and did it well " ....
As business owners and operators,
United States Military Veterans bring excellent credentials to the table and they are not
interested in losing what was built by their predecessors, the strongest economy in the world.
"Supporting Veterans In Business" IS INVESTING IN AMERICAS FUTURE, YOUR FUTURE, YOUR
INVESTMENT.
Today, United
States Military Veterans as business owners own and operate a large percentage of businesses across
this great country. There are approximately four million or more veteran-owned businesses in the
United States. According to a study contracted by the * Small Business Administration, their
success rate as business startups is high in comparison to non-veteran owned businesses. Most
owners started their business rather than purchasing an existing business. There is impressive
longevity to veteran-owned small businesses, 68.1 percent of veteran business owners had owned
their concerns for ten years or more. A significant percentage of veteran business owners owned
more than one business. Nearly one in six, or 15.7 percent, owned two businesses; and 2. 1 percent
owned three businesses. This translates to "new good jobs".
69.2 percent of business owners
supervised others while on active duty and these owners included a significantly higher proportion
of service-disabled veterans. Studies also show that 88.9 percent of veterans who had supervisory
experience while on active duty taught those that they supervised new skills or reinforced their
existing skills. They are honorable, responsible, educated, disciplined and determined, all
characteristics of military service. The history of this great country has proven that each and
every one of us that enjoy the day to day freedoms that we exercise and hold precious were earned
and protected by our veterans. They gave sacrifice. Now they are business owners.
The VOBN gives you, the
beneficiary of their sacrifice, the opportunity to identify and utilize businesses that are owned
and operated by United States Military Veterans. As a consumer, would you want to spend your hard
earned dollars with a business operated by an honorable, responsible, educated, disciplined and
determined businessperson?
Veterans as business owners deserve
recognition. Small business is what drives America forward, provides employment opportunities,
supports communities and so much more. At the helms of small businesses across America are
honorable, responsible, educated, disciplined and determined business persons, United States
Military Veterans. They deserve your support.
*Source: SBA: Small Business
Administration Office of Advocacy http://www.sba.gov/advo/
"Buy From A
Veteran Owned Business"
It's a win, win, win situation.
You spend with confidence ...
You support a Veteran in Business ...
You help America succeed.
"Buy From A Veteran Owned Business"
VA’s Veterans First Contracting Program