Investigate which franchise opportunities align with your small business objectives. Access an ever-growing list of franchising resources available to Veteran entrepreneurs.

International Franchise Association (IFA)

To improve and streamline the franchise ownership process, IFA serves as a conduit between Veterans and participating franchise systems. IFA does not engage in negotiations, nor does it provide financing or financial guidance. However, many franchise systems offer financing, while others help prospective franchisees locate the necessary capital to acquire a franchise. Learn more »

• IFA Educational Foundation Veterans Scholarship Program
  IFA Educational Foundation—with generous support of Figaro’s Italian Pizza, Michael H. Seid & Associates, Luce, Smith & Scott, Inc., and, Valpak Direct Marketing Systems, Inc.—has established the IFA Educational Foundation Veterans Scholarship Fund to help Veterans continue their educational pursuits in the field of entrepreneurial studies. The Fund will provide an annual scholarship of $2500 toward tuition expenses for a Veteran of the U.S. military. Learn more »
• IFA VetFran® Directory
  VetFran’s ranks have grown to include more than 500 franchise systems that voluntarily offer financial incentives to Veterans seeking to become franchise small business owners. Due to the wide variety of franchises, the criteria for financial incentives is determined by the franchise system in a manner that allows the greatest flexibility for the system and, at the same time, offers Veterans a better deal than is offered to otherwise qualified investors. Typically, VetFran participants offer discounts of their initial fees, but that is not a requirement. Through VetFran, more than 6,300 servicemen and women have become franchisees—and, more are being added every month. Learn more »
• IFA VetFran® Toolkit
  The VetFran Toolkit includes a free Franchising 101 online course, a finance assessment, a workbook for prospective franchise owners, and a fund to help Veterans without the equity to access loans and partner links. If you are a U.S. Veteran, you can also access the VetFran Mentor Network and get advice from an experienced franchise professional. With its training, structure, and focus on operational excellence, franchising can provide an ideal career path for returning Veterans to become leaders in our civilian economy. To find out about the franchise opportunities that might be right for you, start using the VetFran Toolkit today. Learn more »

Little Caesars Veterans Program

The Little Caesars Veterans Program provides honorably discharged veterans with a business opportunity when they transition to civilian life or seek a career change, and thanks them for the sacrifices they and their families made for our country. The minimum requirements from Little Caesars are: $50,000 in liquid, unencumbered assets (cash available, no lien or loan on money), VA Rating Letter or DD214, the county you are interested in opening the franchise, and a minimum net worth of $150,000. Your net worth would be assets minus liabilities. If you meet the minimum requirements, please contact the Little Caesars VetFran Program at 1-800-553-5776. Learn more »

Top Franchises for Veterans

Franchise Business Review (FBR) is the leading market research firm in the franchise industry specializing in franchisee satisfaction and performance. FBR is the only researcher to look at which franchise opportunities are the most Veteran-friendly based on franchisee satisfaction and performance—perhaps the most telling data of all. The FBR Veterans and Franchising Report looks at Veterans in franchising, including the best opportunities for military-trained franchisees based on a survey of more than 3,500 Veteran franchisees. This is the true story behind what franchise brands say they will do for Veterans and what they actually do. Learn more »

Valpak

Valpak is a direct marketing franchise system that provides mobile, online, and print advertising solutions to businesses across North America. Since the company’s founding in 1968 with our flagship Blue Envelope, Valpak has evolved into a sophisticated direct marketing system that helps businesses reach their target audience via direct mail, online coupons, mobile apps, e-commerce, targeted e-mail, SMS Text Messaging, Savings.com and more. Valpak’s model features no royalties, no inventory, low start-up costs, multiple revenue streams, exclusive territory and promotion & marketing support. Learn more »

• Valpak Veterans Franchising Program – VetFran Incentive
  Veterans may qualify to have their startup costs, including franchising and training fees, waived 100% and receive help obtaining operating capitol.

Veterans Business Services (VBS)

VBS Franchise Accelerator® system offers Veterans tools to conduct feasibility analysis and due diligence on multiple franchise opportunities and also offers special Veteran discount programs. Learn more »

Veterans Radio is dedicated to all the men and women who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces of the United States of America. Our mission is to see that the world appreciates what extraordinary things ordinary people have done to gain and preserve the freedom we assume everyone enjoys—and the ultimate price that is often paid.

Veterans Radio will include our listener’s stories and experiences, not only while in the service, but afterwards as well. Interviews with guest speakers and authors are a weekly feature. The content of the programs on Veterans Radio is ultimately determined by our listeners.

Veterans Radio feels it is time for our communities to know who among their neighbors was willing to pay the ultimate price to preserve and protect their basic freedoms. Veterans Radio will act as an advocate for veteran’s issues. Politics has no place in determining what is fair for America’s veterans. Veterans Radio just wants our politicians to keep their promises. We encourage our listeners to get involved in the political process and to make our voices heard.

Enroll now to attend this Fall!!

Get a jump start on your AS degree in engineering technology!

Take MSSC-CPT through Florida TRADE and get 15 credit hours that count toward the AS degree!

October 2 is National Manufacturing Day AND October is National Manufacturing Month!

CareerSource Pinellas at EpiCenter campus on 10/7/15from noon to 3p.

Military veterans will receive priority during the first hour so be sure to pre-register for this event.  There will be a separate room for manufacturing employers with openings in celebration of Manufacturing Day.

Come find out more about this exciting, high-tech career field!

There will also be local government proclamations for Manufacturing Month:

10/7, 8:30 am – Hillsborough County, County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd, 2nd Floor, Tampa

10/8, 6:00 pm – City of St. Petersburg, City Hall, 175 5th Street North, Saint Petersburg

10/14, 6:00 pm – City of Clearwater, City Hall, 3rd Floor, 112 S. Osceola Ave., Clearwater

10/20, Time TBD – Pinellas County, 315 Court Street, Clearwater

Florida TRADE at SPC will offer screenings of the Made in Florida movie (27 minutes long) followed by an information session about the short-term manufacturing training available at St. Petersburg College.  The Made in Florida movie features manufacturing businesses from all over the state and their modern technical environments!  Please plan to attend at one of these locations:

10/21/2015 at 2:00 p.m.

James Weldon Johnson Library (1059 18th Avenue South, St. Pete)

10/27/2015 at 2:00 p.m

Seminole Library (9200 113th Street North, Seminole)

And, please plan to attend the On Your Mark, Get Skills, GO! event

Monday, 10/26/15

5:30p.m. to 8:00p.m.

ES104, SPC Clearwater Campus to become more familiar with engineering technologies, Florida TRADE, Workforce & Professional Development, LINCS Supply Chain, internship, and employment opportunities.

For more Manufacturing Events, visit the FL-ATE website!

FLATE can put you in touch with manufacturers who will host tours of their facilities throughout the state.  Click here to request more information!

There are Florida TRADE graduates ready for internships or job openings!

Visit the Employer Portal or contact the Florida TRADE recruiter, Ariel Boone by email or phone (727) 212-9164 for resumes and information.

LINCS Supply Chain Management Program

The grant funded LINCS Supply Chain Management program prepares participants for a multitude of SCM positions across various functions of companies by teaching them how to manage the flow of goods, information, and services in order to maximize value to the consumer. Students can select one certification track or all tracks, depending on their individual educational and career goals. The majority of courses are offered in a blended, 6-week format (face-to-face/online).  After completing each course, students have the opportunity to sit for a certification exam offered and certified by The Council for Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP).  After successfully passing the exam, students will earn a national industry certification from CSCMP in the corresponding SCM discipline.

The schedule link is available on our website.

Currently, the LINCS program includes the following non-credited courses:

*         Supply Chain Management Principles (starts 9/14)- FREE FOR STUDENTS

*         Customer Service Operations (starts 9/22)- $49 for currently enrolled SPC students

*         Transportation Operations (starts 10/15) )- $49 for currently enrolled SPC students

*         Warehousing Operations (starts 9/23) )- $49 for currently SPC enrolled students

*         Supply Management and Procurement (starts 9/12 – 2 Saturday sessions) )- $49 for currently enrolled SPC students

*         Inventory Management (late fall/spring) )- $49 for currently enrolled SPC students

*         Demand Planning (late fall/spring)- $49 for currently enrolled SPC students

*         Manufacturing and Service Operations (spring 2016)- )- $49 for currently enrolled SPC students

*         Bridges to Careers – LINCS Customer Service Operations- Information Session Scheduled for September 17th at 5:30PM at the Clearwater Campus (Room ES-203)
In addition to our standard LINCS class offerings, we are also launching the Bridges to Careers program (through our partnership with CareerEdge Funders Collaborative) at the Clearwater Campus.  As part of this program, students will have the opportunity to engage in life skills and workplace success training, computer literacy, financial literacy training and also enroll in our non-credit Customer Service Operations course.  The program will start on October 6th and it will run for 6 weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-1 PM.  At the conclusion of the program, students will be able to sit for a CSCMP (Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals) Certification Exam to earn their national industry certification.  This particular program will be provided at no cost to eligible students. I’m attaching the electronic flyer for the event.

Student interested in the program can request information here.

Unlock your future career in minutes with our visual personality assessment.

Swipe through images that are either you or not you.

Get matched to professions with our actionable recommendations for a career you are sure to excel at and enjoy! 

Click here.

Doctor and hospital bills are expensive even when you’re covered by TRICARE.

Help minimize or even eliminate out-of-pocket expenses with the MBA-sponsored TRICARE Insurance Supplement Plan.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff recently released their National Military Strategy (NMS), concluding that “global disorder has significantly increased while some of our comparative military advantage has begun to erode…We now face multiple, simultaneous security challenges from traditional state actors and Trans-regional networks of sub-state groups.”

The American Legion reports that the NMS offers a road map through this time of troubles.

The National Military Strategy is available here.

For more military headlines, visit the Military.com News Center.

Have questions about your GI Bill benefits?

Here are 20 of the most frequently asked questions, and answers to help you better navigate using this earned benefit.

Get your questions answered now.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D. NY) recently introduced in Congress the announced the Border Jobs for Veterans Act.

The legislation would require the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security to recruit and expedite the hiring of veterans for positions as U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers.

Information on this legislation is available on the U.S. Congress website.

For more veteran job news, listings and resources, visit the Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.

Every year, hundreds of technically or tactically skilled officers and non-commissioned officers, trained at great expense, leave the military for the private sector, not because their skills aren’t needed but because the military up-or-out promotion system and enlisted retention gates favor leadership qualities over technical expertise.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter, in shaping his “Force of the Future” initiative, is weighing creation of new “technical career tracks” that would allow many more high-tech military personnel to serve full careers without having to strive for command or being pushed into supervisory roles.

For more details, see this Military Advantage blog post.