每日大赛

TSBDC program helps veterans launch businesses

Nine entrepreneurs successfully completed the program this semester and graduated during a ceremony Nov.14.

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center at 每日大赛 has graduated its first cohort of the Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship program (STRIVE), designed to equip veterans and their families with the knowledge and resources to succeed in starting and growing a business.

The STRIVE program is administered by Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families , and 每日大赛 is one of only eight higher-education institutions approved for the no-cost, eight-week program.

“It’s a great opportunity for those that want to learn more about how to market their business, how to take an idea and turn it into a business or explore funding options,” said Vice President of External Affairs Patty Weaver. “The program provides individuals the opportunity to connect and collaborate with like-minded people.”

“As a community college, this aligns with our commitment to our community,” Weaver continued. “It’s truly a valuable resource for our veteran community.”

Nine entrepreneurs successfully completed the program this semester and graduated during a ceremony Nov.14. Their business propositions were diverse, including custom furniture making, drone videography and photography, laser engraving, site excavation, digital music production and artist management, and dog training.

The program took place weekly at the Ruth and Steve West Workforce Development Center on Pellissippi’s Blount County campus, and each small business that graduated from the program will receive $500 in seed money.

Instruction was given by subject matter experts who volunteered their time to teach participants about business plan development, marketing, accounting and tax considerations, legal issues, access to capital and other topics to assist with operating a successful business.

“Once entrepreneurs participate and graduate, they have access to a myriad of other veteran support programs,” said Gregg Bostick, director of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center. “And they will learn things to help them lessen their learning curve and avoid pitfalls that many small business and entrepreneurs hit when they have a dream.

“It's a very informative, instructional, relatable and practical approach to entrepreneurship,” he added.

The ultimate goal of the program is to better serve veteran entrepreneurs, particularly in rural communities, and bring more awareness to 每日大赛 – aptly, Bostick said, as the college was initially established 50 years ago to provide workforce training to veterans returning from the Vietnam War.

The program is also poised to build a community of veteran entrepreneurs with each new cohort.

“Participants were able to form a network that they can lean into with each other,” Bostick said. “And the goal is to continue to build that network through each cohort and expand it.”

The STRIVE program will be offered again to veterans in September 2025. Learn more about the program and apply for the upcoming class here.