VBOC on the Road in Portales
Free Business Development Lunch Workshop in Portales for Military Veterans, Guard/Reserve/Active-Duty
Personnel and Spouses
Free Lunch Included
Wednesday, May 11 (11:30am-1pm)
Portales
(Yam Theater/219 South Main St.)
(PORTALES, NM)- Military veterans and National Guard/Reserve/transitioning active-duty service members in the Portales/Clovis area who are interested in starting or expanding their own business are invited to a free business development lunch workshop on May 11 from 11:30am-1pm at the historic Yam Theater in Portales, located at 219 South Main Street.
Spouses are also invited to attend. A free hot lunch will be provided for all.
Among the topics to be covered are: How to determine if a business idea is feasible, available financial assistance for veterans, special business incentives for New Mexico veterans, how to create a business plan, how to pursue government contracting possibilities, veteran-friendly franchise opportunities, and other ways the VBOC and the presenting partner agencies can help entrepreneurial-minded veterans and spouses.
As an added bonus, attendees can take advantage of private on-site “walk-in” business counseling sessions for more personal assistance
The workshop is part of the ongoing On the Road series of business development workshops for veterans presented by the VBOC—the business development division of the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services—along with partnering agencies the U.S. Small Business Administration, the New Mexico Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the SBDC Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), and Wells Fargo Bank.
For this workshop, the Portales/Roosevelt County and the Clovis/Curry County Chambers of Commerce are also co-sponsors—along with Portales Main Street, the Roosevelt County Community Development Corporation, and the Clovis Industrial Development Corporation.
“For many people, running your own business and being your own boss is part of the American Dream,” said VBOC Business Advisor Rich Coffel. “For veterans, it’s a great way to utilize the training and skills learned in the military. But you shouldn’t just jump in and start or try to expand without knowing how to go about it. We will show veterans how to successfully start and grow a business at this workshop.
“Walk-ins” are welcome, but pre-registration is strongly recommended by contacting the Portales/Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce at (575) 356-8541, chamber@portales.com, or online at www.portales.com. You can also contact the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce at (575) 763-3435 or events@clovisnm.org.
The New Mexico Veterans’ Business Outreach Center
The New Mexico Veterans’ Business Outreach Center (VBOC) was created by the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services to help veteran-owned businesses. It was the first such state-funded center in the nation created specifically to help veterans.
The VBOC is administered through a grant issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration and is managed by the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services. The VBOC was established to assist military veterans with their business development needs. New Mexico’s VBOC is located in Albuquerque but provides service to any veteran statewide. It is one of only fifteen VBOC offices in the country.
For more information about the VBOC, contact Rich Coffel at (505) 383-2402 or
richardl.coffel@state.nm.us.
