While many veterans have a tough go in the civilian labor market and economy following their retirement from military life, others find success as entrepreneurs and business owners. There are plenty of skills that you can put to good use as a business owner once you leave the military. With that in mind, below are 3 entrepreneurial ventures vets can excel at.
Entrepreneurship Programs for Vets
Trying to make your way in the civilian workforce following your military service can be immensely frustrating and demoralizing. An alternative, although not entirely unrelated route, is to start your own business. There are plenty of entrepreneurship resources out there for veterans to help them start their own businesses. Many of these resources are free of charge and equip you with the skills and understanding you need to create your own business following your return to civilian life. These include Boots to Business, Reboot, VETRN, VetFran, and many others. Take advantage of these resources to help build the knowledge and make the connections needed to succeed.
1. Niche Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is something anyone can do. With some perseverance, dedication, and a willingness to self-educate on how to build a high-functioning affiliate site, veterans can make money online with a relatively small investment. Keep in mind that making money through niche affiliate marketing requires some foundational digital skills, but they are all ones that can be self-taught and picked up using free resources online, from YouTube tutorial videos to full-on courses that take you through the entire startup process.
2. Franchisee
Veterans are often attracted to franchising opportunities because it offers them a business model that they are comfortable with. A franchise is, after all, a proven brand that has rules and steps for success in place. Because people with military experience are so experienced when it comes to following rules and procedures, franchising is a natural option for them. For this reason, some 1 in 7 franchises in the United States are owned by a veteran, and cumulatively they generate in excess of 41 billion dollars per year. There are plenty of resources online and in print dedicated to showcasing and explaining franchising opportunities.
3. Personal Training
Personal training businesses are another obvious entrepreneurial niche that veterans can excel at because physical fitness is such an important párt of military life. Getting certified as a personal trainer is quite easy and does not involve a considerable amount of time or money, and the passion that many veterans have for physical fitness, combined with the innate association many people make between the military and physicality, makes personal training an obvious choice for vets looking to start their own business during their post-military career.
Conclusion
Leaving the military and integrating or reintegrating into the civilian economy and labor force can be an intimidating prospect for many veterans. Others choose to take a chance on their own business either right from the start or at some point down the line. Keep the above entrepreneurial considerations and recommendations in mind and join the thousands of fellow veterans who have economic success working for themselves.
