Veterans Business Resource Center

06/14/2021

Hooah!

Hooah!

06/11/2021

Mark your calendars and plan to support El Paso's Korean War Veterans:

Mark your calendars and plan to support El Paso's Korean War Veterans:

06/06/2021

we support our sisters-in-arms:

we support our sisters-in-arms:

05/31/2021

This is the poem In Flanders Field - I would read this each year at the Veterans Business Association Memorial Day Celebration where we would honor those fallen and those that have left us during the past year. Sadly, there has not been a celebration again this year.

On this Memorial Day - please pause for a moment at 3 pm- and remember.

In Flanders Fields
John McCrae - 1872-1918

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

John McCrae was born on November 30, 1872. A Canadian doctor and teacher who served in World War I, he is best known for his memorial poem “In Flanders Fields.” He died on January 28, 1918.

05/30/2021

War Stories from a Cold War Warrior

On this Memorial Day Weekend, we pause to remember. I remember. The Veterans Business Association was not able to have their traditional Memorial Day Celebration last year due to the pandemmic. Again, this year, large gatherings are being discouraged and many venues have not yet reopened.

As a way of remembrance, here is a link to an article that I wrote several years agao about the soldiers that died during my career - some of you may have your own stories - for me, I remember:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/war-stories-from-cold-warrior-h-w-bill-sparks/

There is a book by the title We Were Soldiers Once that tells the story of battles in the early days of Vietnam. Every soldier has war stories.

05/22/2021

Missed opportunity - My bad - the VBA should have had a table - we need a list of volunteers able to help with these types of events.

05/13/2021

VA extends debt relief for Veterans - VAntage Point

FYI - help pass the word.

VA extends debt relief to Veterans, will suspend collection of overpayments incurred between April 6, 2020, and September 30, 2021.

05/07/2021

5 Thank You Page Tips [With Examples]

Electronic advertising is all well and good - but - a THANK YOU! - is always important!

Stop leaving money on the table with your thank you page. These tips and examples will help you maximize your landing pages.

05/05/2021

Veteran restaurant business owners eligible for $28.6 Billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund - VAntage Point

There are plenty of solid financial reasons why you should identify your small business as a Veteran Owned Small Business - here is one:
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/88003/veteran-restaurant-business-owners-eligible-28-6-billion-restaurant-revitalization-fund/#utm_source=VRfeature&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VetResources

The U.S. Small Business Administration will begin registrations at 9 a.m. April 30 and open applications at noon May 3 for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. For the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize funding applications from Veterans.

05/03/2021

New Law Makes Many Active Duty, Vets and Survivors Eligible for Free or Discounted Broadband Internet

Please help pass the word in your own area

Eligible households also may be eligible for a $100 discount on a computer or tablet from Uncle Sam

04/29/2021

Farmer Veteran Coalition helps Veterans into agriculture careers - VAntage Point

Did you know - bet you didn't - there are opportunities for Veteran entrepreneurs to get into farming - check it our here:
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/87165/farmer-veteran-coalition-helps-veterans-agriculture-careers/#utm_source=VRfeature&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VetResources

Farmer Veteran Coalition is a nationwide organization and the largest non-profit organization that guides Veterans to careers in agriculture.

04/22/2021

Ante up for a good cause - help pass the word in your own circle.

Calling all poker players. Charity tournament benefitting Veterans Non Profit. Save the date June 5th. Had to repost for copy of flier with address and start time.

04/15/2021

Veteran Women Achieving Victory in Entrepreneurship (V-WAVE) Virtual Conference | | Veterans Affairs

Help pass the word.

Attend a no-cost Small Business Conference for Women Veterans/Spouses coming up on April 17th

04/06/2021

Copayment Debt: Canceled, Refunded - My HealtheVet

Help pass the word in your own circle:
https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/web/myhealthevet/ss20210323-copayment-debt-refunds-forgiveness

Under the American Recovery Plan, VA copayments for medical care will be waived or refunded. If you received care between April 2020 and September 2021, learn what this means for you.

04/05/2021

Texas DMV ends temporary waiver for expired car registration due to COVID

FYI - now is the time to get right before the police write you a ticket.

AUSTIN, Texas – If your car registration is expired, you have until midnight on April 14 to take care of it. Governor Greg Abbott announce that the temporary waiver put in place on March 16, 2020 is ending with no grace period. After April 14, police will start ticketing motorists operating a....

04/05/2021

FYI - plan now to attend and get the word right from the horse's mouth.

03/24/2021

4,000-Year-Old Ancient Babylonian Tablet is Oldest Customer Service Complaint Ever Discovered

Marketing 101 - a good reveiew by a satisfied customer is worth more than any paid advertising. Read about this dissatisfied customer from1750 BC:

A clay tablet from ancient Babylon reveals that no matter where (or when) you go, good customer service can be hard find. So it was revealed by the irate copper merchant, Nanni, in 1750 B.C.

03/18/2021

The U.S. Postal Service is Hiring Veterans - VAntage Point

Help pass the word

The US Postal Service is hiring. That's great news for Veterans who have tractor trailer operator experience. If that's you, apply now!

03/11/2021

It is my sad duty to report to those among us that have operated as Veterans Advocates in El Paso that Al Hobbs, SGM, Retired, has passed away after a battle with cancer.

03/08/2021

Please help spread the word - FYI - We have a small bag of hanging file folders that the Veterans Business Association no longer needs - 35 in all - free to a not-for-profit or a small donation ($10) to the VBA if you are a business.

Please help spread the word - FYI - We have a small bag of hanging file folders that the Veterans Business Association no longer needs - 35 in all - free to a not-for-profit or a small donation ($10) to the VBA if you are a business.

02/27/2021

Veteran Affairs enrollment and eligibility fair at new westside clinic

Please help pass the word - mark your calendars:
https://www.ktsm.com/local/el-paso-news/veteran-affairs-enrollment-and-eligibility-fair-at-new-westside-clinic/?fbclid=IwAR0_1VPhCdspiAIqN1PvksUY6mMO0gh89-N8UdeD2NdCVDXXf_R6nrCRAac

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs will hold their first enrollment and eligibility fair at the new Westside Community Outpatient Clinic. The fair will provide Vet…

02/24/2021

VBA and the El Paso Chamber networking event

There is still time to register for tomorrow virtual meeting: The VBA and El Paso Chamber Networking event - 3 pm - 25 February - register now and we will send you the Zoom invite.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vba-and-the-el-paso-chamber-networking-event-tickets-142296102473?aff=esfb&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=fb&utm-term=checkoutwidget&fbclid=IwAR112P2Y1riAGzkzZw8mNBj2N9O0WevrDaEu83Iz7iPXazvMSBJy4sn15aQ

During this time of Stay Safe - Stay Home it is important to Stay Informed

02/19/2021

VBA and the El Paso Chamber networking event

Check out the first attempt by the Veterans Business Association's on-line virtual networking event:

During this time of Stay Safe - Stay Home it is important to Stay Informed

02/02/2021

SBA EIDL, PPP Loan, and Forgiveness Application Assistance

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Texas small businesses can apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness (PPP) to help with the COVID-19 crisis. The SBA El Paso District Office will provide the latest information from SBA to help small businesses with their economic recovery.

There is guidance regarding forgiveness if you received less than $50,000 from the Paycheck Protection Program.

We will provide an overview of the PPP Loan Forgiveness Application and the PPP Interim Final Rules.

We will give information on how to apply and where you can get additional help with preparing and applying for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan, as well as the Paycheck Protection Program Loans forgiveness.

Webinars will be held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 2 p.m. Mountain time.

The information presented on all webinars will be the same, Tuesday and Thursday webinars will be in English, Wednesday webinars will be in Spanish.

Please join at the date and time best for you.

Email [email protected] for more information or call 915-494-7464

CLICK ON THE TEAMS LINK BELOW TO JOIN

_______________________________________________________________________________

Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

+1 469-225-3127 United States, Dallas (Toll)

Conference ID: 332 319 841#

01/22/2021

Eleven Common Questions (& Answers) About PPP Round Two

FYI - the more you know, the more you can do to help yourself and others:
https://elpaso.org/ten-common-questions-answers-about-ppp-round-two/

On January 20, David Jerome (President & CEO, El Paso Chamber) sat down with Mara Portillo (Vice President – Compliance, WestStar Bank) and Steve Ortega (Law Office of Steve Ortega) to discuss round two of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). After closing to applications in the fall last year, ...

01/17/2021

PenFed Foundation's Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program Launches 'Military Women Startup Accelerator' to Empower Female Veteran Entrepreneurship

One of the fastest growing segments in new business start-ups is female Veterans:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/penfed-foundations-veteran-entrepreneur-investment-program-launches-military-women-startup-accelerator-to-empower-female-veteran-entrepreneurship-301208797.html?fbclid=IwAR0-H2ve2tBnoZoq_MITM0y8fzxzbo0Hp12gaqBBGz6tgRXqyolDpcO1few

/PRNewswire/ -- The PenFed Foundation, a national 501(c)3 founded by PenFed Credit Union, today announced the launch of the Veteran Entrepreneur Investment...

01/13/2021

Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans

Banks are just now starting to disperse PPP dollars - check with your bank or the El Paso Chamber

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has issued this guide and cheat sheet to help small businesses and self-employed individuals prepare to file for a loan from the CARES Act's Paycheck Protection Program.

01/08/2021

El Paso Chamber

FYI - there is money available for small business - BUT - you have to qualify - check out the El Paso Chamber for details.

Thank you to CBS4 Local for covering our new grant program! Read more at the link below.

#ElPasoStrong #ElPasoChamber #BusinessHelp

12/17/2020

MACV Says Women Constitute Their Fastest-Growing Segment Of Homeless Veterans

This why we came together as Veteran Business Owners - to help other Veterans - if you do not know how to help - ask us!
https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020/12/16/macv-says-women-constitute-their-fastest-growing-segment-of-homeless-veterans/?utm_campaign=true_anthem&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=social&fbclid=IwAR0tNKPNZPqnUN3rxwUbSv2CwJ9mBTNzO2uB4SULltXw8szbNTtGVzF4Zvg

Malcalisha Jefferson served 12 years with two deployments to war zones -- Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2010. She moved to Minnesota after her time in the service to be closer to family, but things didn't go as planned.

12/09/2020

THe El Paso Chamber of Commerce is seeking El Paso Small Businesses that will offer military or Veteran discounts during this holiday season. For several years, the Veterans Business Association has been unsuccessful in creating a list of military and Veteran discounts in our community - we encourage all businesses to cooperate during the holiday season by submitting their information to the El Paso Chamber. 915-534-0500 #veteranshelpingveterans #veteranowned #veterans #veteranownedbusiness #womanownedbusiness #smallbusinessmanagement #smallbusinessowner #smallbusiness #smallbusinessmarketing #entrepreneuer #elpaso

12/06/2020

No matter how long you've been at this, your small business is now a startup

Now is the time to re-energize yourseld and your small business.

Embracing the idea of being a startup gives you more energy and a more positive outlook.

12/03/2020

For Texas women Veteran entreprenuers:

#TexasVeterans thinking about starting your own business.
Starting a Business & Funding Options webinar
Dec. 16 at 2 p.m.
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/85818391156760845

11/19/2020

Sadly, we have been informed that one of our long time members and supporter, David Thackston has been hospitalized, possibly with COVID-19. Please keep David in your thoughts and prayers.

11/17/2020

There is still assitance available for Veterans that need help with utilities - pass the word to your own circle:

11/16/2020

So, I was asked to find an electrician in El Paso for a job in the northeast - amazingly, a search of SAM and the SBA data bases showed few active Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB's). Business owners that complain that they cannot get help for their business and yet they do not register their business on the most important data bases are missing out. If you want to expand your business in a down economy, you MUST stand up and step forward to be seen and heard. Contact us at the Veterans Business Resource Center - 915-594-7022 email: [email protected]