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.
New Webinar Series | Straight Talk, Real Solutions
Financial Strategies for Veteran Entrepreneurs
Are you looking for practical, no-nonsense financial strategies to grow your business? Join us for an exclusive 4-part webinar series led by Senior Business Advisor and veteran, Dr. Jorge Chavarin.
Reserve your spot today and take the next step toward financial clarity and success.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 12, 19, 26, 2025
1:00 PM to 2300 PM PT
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, FEBRUARY 11, 2025
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT
VETREPRENEUR FRANCHISE ACADEMY INFORMATION SESSION
The Vetrepreneur Franchise Academy is a free 10-Step, 10-Week class that turns veterans and military spouses into business owners. Veteran franchising experts will lead you and your classmates through group and individual sessions to get you into franchise ownership.
Applicants for the Academy must attend the information session.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 & 28, 2025
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM 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, FEBRUARY 18, 2025
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT
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, MARCH 4, 2024
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT
MASTERING STORYTELLING
for Veteran Business Growth
Veteran business owners can harness the power of storytelling in this exclusive workshop series, learning simple, actionable techniques to enhance marketing and operations. With real-world examples and step-by-step guidance, you’ll craft compelling narratives that drive growth and set your business apart.
Session 1: The Power & Purpose of Storytelling in Business – March 11
Session 2: Applying Your Story Across Platforms – March 18
Session 3: Storytelling for Engagement & Conversion – March 25
Session 4: Building a Storytelling Strategy – April 1
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 18, 25 and APRIL 1, 2025
12:00 PM to 1:30 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, MARCH 18, 2025
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT
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, APRIL 8, 2025
10:00 AM to 12:00 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, APRIL 15, 2025
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.