Veteran Employment Transition (VET) Roadmap

A Must Read For Our Troops in Transition & Veterans

Presented by Hiring Our Heroes, U.S. Chamber of Commerce,

and the George W. Bush Institute

The purpose of the Veteran Employment Transition (VET) Roadmap is to provide 

transitioning service members and veterans a resource so that they are better equipped to navigate that landscape and succeed in the civilian workforce.  The VET Roadmap captures 

and consolidates essential steps with best-in-class resources and tools.

THE TRANSITION PROCESS FOR VETERANS IS A LIFETIME PROCESS THAT CAN BE DIVIDED INTO THREE ESSENTIAL PHASES: PREPARE, TRANSITION, AND LEAD.

VET Roadmap Addresses Challenges

• A communication and culture gap between veteran job seekers and employers

• Lack of military service member preparedness for finding civilian employment

• Stigma related to mental health concerns and ongoing service commitments         (National Guard and Reserve components)

• Ability of both veterans and employers to match and translate military skills,         qualifications, and experience to civilian job requirements

• Barriers stemming from credentialing and licensing requirements

• Financial instability and veteran acclimation to civilian life and workplace

Checklists for Networking, Marketing, Value Proposition, Mentors and More!

FREE DOWNLOAD

BUDGET BLINDS WAIVES $75k FRANCHISE FEE TO QUALIFIED VETERANS

January 29, 2015 at the Budget Blinds Annual Convention (over 1,000 in attendance) gave a standing ovation to our Veteran franchise owners.

 ORANGE, CA—Budget Blinds, a custom window covering franchise and Home Franchise Concepts brand, is proud to announce the launch of its Troops in Transition program, which provides Veterans who have left active duty within the past two years, an opportunity to own a franchise with no initial entry fee. Veterans selected to participate in the Troops in Transition program will go through a six-month trial period as a franchisee where they are required to meet financial milestones set by the Budget Blinds corporate team. Upon meeting these goals, Veterans will be signed as a traditional Budget Blinds franchise owner. The program removes a significant barrier of $75,000 that would traditionally be required to become a Budget Blinds franchisee.

“We launched the Troops in Transition program as a way to further support our country’s heroes in achieving the American dream of independent business ownership,” says Chad Hallock, CEO and Co-Founder of Budget Blinds. “Post 9/11 Veterans have the highest unemployment rate among all Veterans and this program is our way of giving a little something back to them as they’ve selflessly given so much to us. It was extremely important for us to extend our company’s Veteran offerings beyond simply providing a franchisee discount for our brand. Troops in Transition removes a barrier that is very difficult for these Veterans to overcome, and we welcome these heroes with open arms in the New Year.” 

Are There Grants Available for Veterans Starting a Business?

If you're one of the 250,000 Veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan this year, transitioning into civilian life, you may have asked, "Are there any grants available for Veterans to start your own business or franchise?" According the Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC), "Currently, the VBOC is unaware of specific grants for veterans, or anyone for that matter, to open a for-profit business."
But all is not lost! Many franchise organizations offer discounts to Veterans. Franchise Business Review cautions: It's important to note that not all of them provide great opportunities for vets. Only thorough due diligence - especially research into how other vets have fared in the system - can adequately reveal how a system treats franchisees once they sign the franchise agreement.
Franchise Business Review recognized Budget Blinds as an award-winning franchise whose Veteran franchisees have shown a high level of satisfaction with the business, considering factors such as training and support, leadership, and financial opportunity.
You owe it to yourself to also explore Budget Blinds' Million Dollar Franchise Event which grants a discount off the purchase price to qualified Veterans making the path to becoming an entrepreneur more accessible.  And for those Service members separating from the military you will be able to achieve owning a Budget Blinds franchise via a 6 month Apprenticeship program called Troops in Transition.

2014 Top Franchises for Veterans: Franchise Business Review

Budget Blinds Awarded Top 100 Franchise for Veterans 2014

Award Winning Franchises Whose Veteran Franchisees Have Shown a High Level of Satisfaction

Many franchise systems are actively recruiting U.S. military veterans, with many offering discounts and other incentives. However, not all of these brands are good fits for a franchisee with a military background.

Each year, Franchise Business Review surveys thousands of franchise owners across North America and publishes a ranking of today's top franchise opportunities based exclusively on owner satisfaction. The list below features award-winning franchises whose veteran franchisees have shown a high level of satisfaction with the business, considering factors such as training and support, leadership, and financial opportunity, among others.

If you are a veteran interested in starting a franchise business, start your search with these great companies! Click for article.

Homes for Our Troops

Watch Interview with SSG Matthew DeWitt and fiance Catrina Peck: http://on.fb.me/1rWxFGG

Budget Blinds has partnered with national non-profit, Homes for Our Troops, to provide specially adapted, mortgage-free homes for severely injured Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Through this partnership, Budget Blinds will provide window coverings in ten homes across the country between November 1 and December 31, 2014, and in every HFOT home over the next three years. The homes built for these Veterans will help to restore the freedom and independence that they sacrificed while serving our nation and enables them to focus on family, recovery and re-building their lives. More details: http://www.hfotusa.org/dewitt 

Turning Veterans Into Entrepreneurs: Budget Blinds Million Dollar Franchise Event

$35,000 Veteran Discount on Initial Territory Fee

The HFC (Home Franchise Concepts) Million Dollar Franchise Event grants a discount off the purchase price of a Budget Blinds franchise system with a goal of granting 30 or more franchise territories to qualified veterans to reach a million dollars in total discounts. This is our way of giving back to veterans to help them take the next step into owning their own business and building a financial future. See full BLOG        Event Landing Page 

National Window Covering Safety Month

Click to view Window Covering Safety Council Video

PRWeB: October is National Window Cord Safety Month and Budget Blinds Offers Great Tips on How to Child-Proof Your Home. "There are new national standards in place that significantly increase the safety requirements for window coverings in a home," said Derrick Marsh, Board of Trustees member of the Window Covering Manufacturers Association.  "It's great to see companies like Budget Blinds taking the initiative towards ensuring that they have the knowledge and product selection that will comply with all new safety standards."