Are you a transitioning servicemember, military spouse, or veteran seeking entrepreneurship opportunities or more traditional employment, but confused by the myriad of business models and options? March offers a series of events that may help cut through the clutter.

Consider these free events part of your professional research:

March 2: National Franchise Show

Veterans account for 14% of all franchise owners nationwide! Join MOAA at an exclusive seminar for uniformed servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses at the National Franchise Show on Saturday, March 2, at 11 a.m. Eastern at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Va.

The session, Exploring Business Ownership as a Career Path, will let attendees:

• Hear from franchisors and franchisees on how their military experience has shaped their success.
• Learn the basics of franchising, including details on the support, training, and security the business model offers.
• Discover financing opportunities for those who have served.

Attendees can visit the franchise show after the panel discussion to talk face-to-face with companies looking for franchisees, dealers, and distributors. Get your complimentary pass at this link.

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March 6: Military to Business Seminar

Regardless of the job or industry you plan to pursue, becoming a leader in the civilian work-world demands understanding the art of business. Hear about the many resources available to help you achieve that goal by attending a Military to Business Career Primer on Wednesday, March 6, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Army Navy Country Club, in Arlington, Va.

This networking event will feature experts exploring:

• The intersection of job search and professional business education
• The pros and cons of veteran entrepreneurship as an option
• The role of professional associations in military and business transition
• How federal, state, and local government agencies can help start or accelerate veteran business careers

The event is free and open to all members of the military community. It’s hosted by the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, along with MOAA, Corporate Gray, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Mid-Atlantic Veteran Business Outreach Center, and the Maryland Veterans Chamber of Commerce.

Register by Feb. 28 to attend. Learn more and sign up at this link.

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March 7: MOAA Webinar With IVMF

MOAA has teamed with the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) for a special webinar event on how IVMF programs support servicemembers, veterans, and their families in career, vocational, and entrepreneurship education and training. 

Whether you want to find key resources, meaningful research, and/or the right programs for you and your family, IVMF can point you in the right direction. Register today to join the discussion on Thursday, March 7, and check out more upcoming MOAA webinars at MOAA.org/events.

Any Time: SBA Boots to Business

The Small Business Administration’s Boots to Business (B2B) program recently announced its 200,000th graduate, supporting military entrepreneurs for more than a decade. A recent expansion – Boots to Business Reboot, or B2BR – opens the same curriculum beyond those leaving service, allowing veterans of any era, reserve-component members, and military spouse nationwide to take part.

A separate entrepreneur training program for military spouses launched in July 2023, and Boots to Business Revenue Readiness (B2B RR), a six-week course on developing a business plan, launched in November of that year.

Which B2B offering suits your professional needs? Visit https://sba.my.site.com for an overview of SBA programs, including registration information and class schedules.