The International Franchise Association (IFA) Provides Options for Entrepreneurial Veterans
Together, the education provided by the VA Accelerator and the opportunities and incentives offered by the IFA and VetFran can open doors for many Veteran-entrepreneurs to start and grow a franchise suitable to their interests.
The IFA is a valuable resource for VA Accelerator graduates, many of whom would like to pursue entrepreneurship through franchising post-graduation. The two programs share a commitment to helping Veterans succeed in their career endeavors as the VA Accelerator is a Department of Veterans Affairs initiative to educate Veterans on entrepreneurship and the IFA has an entire program dedicated to Veteran franchisees. The IFA initiative is called “VetFran.”
VetFran includes over 530 IFA franchisor member companies offering financial incentives, training and mentoring to veterans interested in small business ownership and/or a career path in franchising. Over 6,300 veterans have become franchise owners through VetFran since its launch in 1991. Veterans who have utilized the VetFran program understand that the military skill set translates well to entrepreneurship, thus the program encourages this natural career transition.
Entrepreneurial Veterans are encouraged to pursue franchising opportunities that interest them and the VA Business Accelerator curriculum teaches the vital business skills for entrepreneurs such as starting, leading, managing, hiring, and sales. VetFran’s partnerships and resources along with the VA Accelerator’s targeted education can help Veterans who wish to open a business franchise succeed.
VA Accelerator Veterans Encouraged to work with SCORE Mentors
Starting a business can be difficult, yet extremely rewarding. Minimizing the unknowns in the startup process can improve the success rate of any small business. A thorough education in entrepreneurship and quality leadership from an experienced mentor can make all the difference.
VA Accelerator together with SCORE – mentors to America’s small businesses - is ready to help more Veteran-Owned small businesses succeed than ever before. VA Accelerator’s Business Accelerator trains disabled Veterans, in the skill sets required to successfully plan, operate, and grow businesses. The training is meant as a preliminary for entrepreneurial Veterans to discover whether they want to pursue entrepreneurship or for new small business owners who’d like to learn how to more effectively run their businesses’ operations.
As the Veteran works through his or her business plans, the VA Accelerator’s educational program matches them to a local SCORE mentor, who is there for the life of the business and can advise on many topics or secure the help needed.
SCORE is a network of 12,000+ volunteer mentors in 340+ chapters nationwide who assist entrepreneurs in making the best business decisions possible. These entrepreneurs work with highly skilled mentors, from a variety of industries, who confidentially help new entrepreneurs and small business owners deal with difficult business problems and make good business decisions. With many options for finding and maintaining contact with a fitting mentor, SCORE guides small businesses across the country to bright and prosperous futures.