Welcome to the SoCal Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC)
The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program provides entrepreneurial development services such as Boots to Business/Reboot, counseling, and referrals for eligible Veterans owning or considering starting a small business.
On this website you will find information on a variety of training events and how to register for Boots to Business/Reboot and workshops on topic such as government contracting.
Our mission is to help create, develop and retain Veteran-owned small business!
Connect with a Business Consultant
Set up an appointment today with a Business Consultant to accelerate your growth!Manage a Successful Business
We’re here to help Veterans start or expand their business vision.
Get started today and email us at [email protected]!
Training & Events
Free local workshops & events to support and help start and grow your small business.Learn about our training workshops & events
Workshops and events to grow your business including Government Contracting in a Day and Meet the Buyers.
Boots to Business
An entrepreneurial training program designed for transitioning service members and military spouses.Curriculum Includes:
Evaluating business concepts, understanding business plan concepts, accessing start-up capital and additional technical assistance to launch your business.
Boots to Business Reboot
An entrepreneurial training program designed for Veterans of all eras, Guard, Reserve and military-connected family members.Curriculum Includes:
Identifying business opportunities, learning market research techniques, understanding business plan concepts and connecting with local small business resources to launch your small business.
BUSINESS PLANS IN ACTION
Whether you are launching, expanding or pivoting your business, this deep dive will take you through the process of how to complete each step in the business plan outline.
Topics include creating an executive summary, industry and market analysis, marketing strategy, operations and organizational design, implementation, financial strategy, financial management, record keeping, cash management, forecasting, personnel and exit strategy.
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2024
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT
CALTRANS DISTRICT 11
2024 Prepare For The Fair Online Workshop
This workshop is designed to educate the audience about Caltrans’ procurement processes, recognized certifications, as well as tips on networking with purchasers. At the end of this workshop, you will be very well prepared to attend the 20th Annual Procurement and Resource Fair!
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2024
9:00 AM to 11:30 AM PT
Online via Webex
MARKETING ESSENTIALS: ADVANCED TRAINING
for Veteran Owned Businesses
Have you attended the Marketing Fundamentals: Basic Training class and are still wondering how to best market your Veteran Owned Business?
Marketing Essentials builds on the concepts presented in the Marketing Fundamentals workshop to dive deeper into the some of the most effective marketing opportunities available to small business owners including branding, customer relationship management, advertising, digital marketing, search engine marketing, and content marketing.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2024
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT
CREATING WINNING PROPOSALS
for the Government
Responding to an RFP for government contracting can be difficult, especially if you’ve never done it.
This workshop will focus specifically on proposals, which are typically required for larger, more complex jobs that require more than just a price quote for a specific product.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2024
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT
CALTRANS DISTRICT 11
20th Annual Procurement & Resource Fair
Caltrans purchasers and partners will have a list of goods, services, contracts and upcoming opportunities for Small Businesses. This event provides a great networking opportunity for your small business.
CONNECT WITH:
Caltrans District 11 Purchasers
70+ Public Agencies and Organizations
Construction Primes
Architectural and Engineering Primes
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2024
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT
Caltrans District 11 Office
4050 Taylor Street, San Diego, CA 92110
MARKETING FUNDAMENTALS: BASIC TRAINING
for Veteran Owned Businesses
Have you wondered what marketing is? How to get started? How it can help your Veteran owned business?
Are you aware of the fundamental 4 Ps? Do you want to learn more about why research is needed or how customer service fits in all of this?
If you answered yes to any of the questions, please join us for the SoCal VBOC’s Marketing Fundamentals for Veteran Owned Businesses.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT
MILITARY SPOUSE
Pathway to Business
The Pathway to Business workshop is tailored for military spouses to provide a customized introduction to entrepreneurship with a focus on Home Based and Transportable Businesses.
Topics Include:
Introduction to Starting or Growing a Business
Marketing Your Business
Legal Structures
Writing a Business Plan
How to Access Funding for Your Business
Resources for Future Success
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2024
8:30 AM to 2:30 PM PT
Are You Ready for
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING?
Are you a Veteran business owner interested in government contracting and ready to learn the steps to get started?
This webinar will help you evaluate your business, educate you on government contracting processes and requirements, provide you with marketing tools and resources, help you determine if the government market is a fit for your business, and get you started on the first steps.
This course is designed for individuals with a very minimal understanding of government contracting.
Facilitated by Mike Sabellico, Senior Procurement Advisor, San Diego, Orange, Imperial APEX Accelerator
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT
GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATIONS
Presented by the San Diego, Orange, Imperial APEX Accelerator and the SoCal Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC)
You will learn about Federal, State and Local Certifications:
- The Vets First Verification Program
- Requirements, qualifications, and application steps for the 8(a) Business Development Program
- Woman-Owned Small Business certification
- HUBZone certification for businesses located in geographic areas with above-average unemployment and below-average annual income
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business certification
- Small Business certification, a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise certification and a new Small Business (for the purpose of Public Works) certification
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2024
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT
The SoCal Veterans Business Outreach Center at MiraCosta College is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.