Robin Hamilton ⋅ Macungie , PA Xerox ⋅ 20 years experience

You do need to create a thorough business plan whichever entrepreneurial option (franchise or startup) you choose. This strategy component is extremely important.

George Byrne ⋅ Venice , FL Nictom Consulting Group ⋅ 32 years experience

Other than what's already been posted here I can't add much more value...but I will emphasize that (1) you need a business plan...might sound like an exercise that is not necessary but the facts show that most businesses that fail did not have a business line; and (2) avail yourself of the local and mostly "free" resources that are available to you for advice...check with SCORE, the Small Business Administration, Linked In groups...and there is a book by the staff of 'Entrepreneur' magazine titled "Start Your Own Business"...you can probably pick up a new or used one on Amazon...personally I think it's the best book out there for start-ups (and I used it myself to set up my management consulting firm)...so, good luck and reach out (gbyrne@nictom.com) if you need additional info...and thanks for your service!

Tim Kerin ⋅ Damascus , MD Learning Lessons in Business Inc ⋅ 25 years experience

David,

Learn from others that have experienced it. That is the most valuable resource. We started out 25 years ago and learned the hard way. We wanted a business but did not understand the business behind the business. If I can answer any questions for you, you are more than welcome to contact me. It is great to create your own business...just do it with the both ears and eyes open!!
Wishing you great success!!

Andrew Karp ⋅ Sonoma , CA Sierra Data Science ⋅ 20 years experience

Here is a link to the SBA website page about Small Business Development Centers. I think you will find this useful. http://www.sba.gov/content/small-business-development-centers-sbdcs

David Davis ⋅ Killeen , TX U.S. Army, Specialist ⋅ 3 years served

Thanks!

Alan J. Zell ⋅ Portland , OR Attitudes for Selling ⋅ 29 years experience

David, Like Rashid suggested, go to SCORE for free and confidential help in starting a business. You can find them by going to score.org and to the tab "find a local chapter" Put in your zip code and you'll get a list of the closest chapter(s) and how to contact them.

Alan

Rashid Hill, MPM ⋅ San Diego , CA United States Navy ⋅ 33 years experience

Hello David. I think I am late to the ball on this one. It's great to have the wealth of assistance from the many industry professionals here. I agree with all of the responses you've gotten here. One thing I will echo is doing a self assessment and learning how to "sell" your talents, intentions, your vision before seeking resources to start any venture. If you are just starting out you have to put in the time to research and learn as much as you can about the right steps to take and visiting this forum is definitely a step in the right direction. Unfortunately you will get lots of philosophy and not the direct mentoring or coaching that you need at this very critical time in your journey. From my personal experience as a coach, author and entrepreneur I have coached veterans that have very high praise for the EVB program handled through Syracuse University and I really like the value that SCORE provides to help young veterans pursue their small business dreams. Email me if you like and I am happy to help you brand yourself and get pointed in the right direction to reach your goals. Take care and all the best.

Coach Rashid

John Lawson ⋅ Saint Louis , MO U.S. Army Reserve, Captain ⋅ 13 years served

The Small Business Administration can be a great resource if you use it. There are many different programs within the agency as well. Usually there is an SBA office in every major municipality. Best of Luck!

James Mingey ⋅ Oregon City , OR Veterans Business Services ⋅ 25 years experience

David,

In any business, retail or not, the key question is "do you have a market" so research is important. Go to your local library and ask how they can help you research your market. If your service disabled, apply to EVB at Syracuse University. Get a mentor from SCORE (in the specific industry or market you choose) Reach out to an VBOC (google VBOC Texas) and ask for help (again be specific about your idea). Then begin building your business plan to determine if you can make any money (sell yourself first before you seek money from a bank or anyone)

Good Luck!

Melissa White ⋅ Morristown , TN General Electric ⋅ 15 years experience

David,
You should also reach out to local colleges and universities in your areas. Most have a Small Business Center and can help you from the ground up!

Bruce Freimark ⋅ Lansing , MI State of Michigan ⋅ 10 years experience

Here is a pretty good place to start: http://www.vetfran.com/

David Davis ⋅ Killeen , TX U.S. Army, Specialist ⋅ 3 years served

Thanks! Good information Marc! Tom, I work in the S-1 offices and I be on the computer all day updating perstats and dd93 and etc. That's great information!

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco , CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

I just came across this on LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130814145719-32503052-top-5-tips-for-becoming-a-successful-entrepreneur

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco , CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

David,

Hmm, pretty good internet connections out there in the field.

Fish or how to fish? Today, I think I'm going to go with "How to Fish".

First, learn to "dig in" and conduct your own research.

Learn about a few search tools, and the ability to perform site-specific searches using Google. Perform your own research, then report back, telling us what you find, and what assistance you still need. Perhaps you can title your report "A Checklist for Veteran Entrepreneurs Seeking Information"

As you perform your research, you'll come across additional ideas an topics you can put into Google and Bing. After a day or two, you might know more than any of us!

The information you provide will be helpful to you and other Veterans, and will demonstrated to potential advisors, mentors and investors that you have taken the intuitive to conduct some of your own research.

e.g.
Google and Bing work pretty well:
https://www.google.com/search?q=veteran+start+business

https://www.google.com/search?q=What+is+the+best+process+for+a+veteran+to+start+a+business

There's also been a lot information posted on acp-advisornet.org :
Acp-advisornet.org has both a topic search tool and a word search tool. Use them.

https://acp-advisornet.org/questions/topic/entrepreneur
https://acp-advisornet.org/questions/topic/entrepreneurship
https://acp-advisornet.org/questions/topic/startups

And here the Acp-advisornet.org word search tool:
https://acp-advisornet.org/search?Search=entrepreneurship
https://acp-advisornet.org/search?Search=entrepreneur

Here is Google site-specific search in action. Include site:the site you want to search.whatever in the search box.
e.g. site:acp-advisornet.org veteran entrepreneuriship

https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Aacp-advisornet.org+veteran+entrepreneuriship

And here's few gimmees:
As mentioned in the posts you'll find, SCORE.org is also a great resource.
https://acp-advisornet.org/questions/topic/score

IVMF and VCTP at Syracuse has resources for entrepreneueiarla Veterans.

As you perform your research, you'll come across additional ideas an topics you can put into Google and Bing. After a day or two, you might know more than any of us!

Perform your own research, then report back, telling us what you find, and what assistance you still need. Perhaps you can title your report "A Checklist for Veteran Entrepreneurs Seeking Information"

And if I wanted to make you laugh, I would have included this:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=veteran+start+business#seen

Marc Leduc ⋅ Hamburg , NY Hewlett Packard ⋅ 20 years experience

I just got notified of a new program to give free online training to entrepeneurs
http://www.life-global.org
This might help