Sunday, December 7, 2014

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.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

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.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

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