The Vets First Verification Program, managed by the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), ensures that businesses claiming to be Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) meet the eligibility requirements. Verification allows these businesses to participate in set-aside and sole source contracting opportunities with the VA. It’s a great opportunity to leverage your expertise and gain a potential revenue stream.
Here’s a comprehensive guide on how veterans can get started with the Vets First Verification Program, the benefits of the program, where to go to get started, and the potential results of applying.
Steps to Get Started:
Review Eligibility Requirements:
Ownership: At least 51% ownership by one or more veterans or service-disabled veterans.
Control: Daily operations and long-term decisions must be managed by one or more veterans or service-disabled veterans.
Small Business Status: Must meet the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) size standards for small businesses.
Gather Necessary Documentation:
Proof of Veteran Status: DD214 form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).
Proof of Service-Disabled Status: VA Rating Letter if applicable.
Business Documents: Articles of Incorporation, operating agreements, bylaws, meeting minutes, tax returns, and financial statements.
Register and Apply:
Create a Profile in VetBiz:
Visit the VA’s VetBiz portal (https://www.vip.vetbiz.va.gov/).
Create a new profile and complete the business profile registration.
Submit Verification Application:
Complete and submit the VA Form 0877, along with the required documentation, through the VetBiz portal.
Pre-Assessment: OSDBU offers a free pre-assessment tool to help identify potential issues before submitting the application.
Verification Process:
Initial Review: The Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) reviews the application for completeness.
Document Examination: CVE examines submitted documents and may request additional information.
Site Visit (if applicable): Some businesses may undergo a site visit to verify operations and control.
Decision: CVE makes a determination and notifies the business of the outcome.
Benefits of the Vets First Verification Program:
Access to VA Contracts: Verified businesses are eligible to compete for VA set-aside and sole-source contracts, providing a significant opportunity to secure government contracts.
Increased Credibility: Verification enhances the credibility and visibility of the business within the veteran community and among contracting officers.
Networking Opportunities: Verified businesses can join the VetBiz Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database, connecting them with other veteran-owned businesses and potential partners.
Training and Resources: Access to additional training and business resources provided by the VA and OSDBU.
How Long Does It Take:
On average, the entire verification process can take approximately 90 to 120 days from the date of application submission to receiving the final determination. However, this timeframe can vary depending on the completeness of the application, the responsiveness of the applicant, and the complexity of the business structure.
Status Updates:
Applicants can check the status of their application through the VetBiz portal. Additionally, the CVE may provide periodic updates via email throughout the process.
Results of Applying:
Successful verification brings numerous benefits. Verified businesses gain access to VA set-aside and sole-source contracts, which can significantly enhance their revenue streams. For example, companies like Veteran Logistics, which secured a substantial VA transportation contract post-verification, illustrate the potential opportunities available. Verified businesses are also listed in the VetBiz Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database, increasing their visibility to potential clients and partners. Additionally, this status enhances credibility and can be leveraged in marketing materials, showcasing the business’s commitment to supporting veteran initiatives.
If an application is denied, the CVE provides detailed feedback, allowing the business to address identified issues and reapply. There is also an appeals process for businesses that believe the denial was in error.
The Vets First Verification Program is a crucial step for veteran-owned businesses looking to access VA contracts and enhance their market position. By following the outlined steps, gathering necessary documentation, and leveraging available resources, veterans can successfully navigate the verification process and unlock valuable business opportunities.
In summary, if you’re a Veteran in need of support to start or grow your existing business located in Austin or any of the seven surrounding counties, we would love to meet with you to learn how we can help you with our services. Get started here: https://egbi.org/services/.
When anyone first meets Kiki Roman, they can’t help but notice her positive energy with a wonderful vibe of love. When Kiki talks about her work she does it passionately and with a lot of care. Kiki has a hair salon that specializes in color named “Kiki Roman Hair Designer”. She expresses herself through her work by always looking at what people want and how to match her clients’ personality with their skin and energy.
She got started almost 15 years ago in her business and has lived in Austin for almost 30 years now. Kiki was born in a part of Mexico named Chihuahua and moved to Austin. She got into coloring hair because of her passion for hair as well as colors. Since she was little she always loved hair, yet she never imagined herself being a hairstylist. As a mother of two kids she was kept busy, but when they entered high-school they learned how to drive. This led Kiki to be able to have a lot of free time and that’s when she decided to go to beauty school. Then there was image design that fueled her passion . She is creative with color, but now she is dedicated to giving advice to her clients about what will suit them with their skin color and what colors suit them best. The socials you can best reach her in is by Facebook, Instagram, or Linked. On face-book she is known as “Kiki Roman Hair Designer” (https://www.facebook.com/kikiroman/), on Instagram she is known as “@kikiroman”(https://www.instagram.com/kikiroman/), and on linked she is known as “Kiki Márquez Roman” (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiki-m%C3%A1rquez-roman-667478144/).
Here are some details of my conversation with Kiki-
What persuaded you to start your business? Well I love hair and to play with it. I like to mix things around but overall I just love hair.
How did you find EGBI? And what do you like about them? I found them on social media, specifically Facebook. They helped me create my business and they help others start the business they want.
What do you do with your community at your salon? I love to listen to my clients; because sometimes you don’t know what is going on in their personal life. When I talk to my clients I hope to make their day better. I like to have a conversation so that they can feel welcomed and let me know what they want to do with their hair. I am also a talkative person and I like to be active so it helps me not get stressed. I love to give them what they want and to leave with a happy face.
What do you like to do during your free time? The thing I love to do during my free time is mostly yoga. I love to read, too.
How has EGBI helped your business? EGBI has helped me understand how great social networks are. They also taught me that I have to stay in contact with my clients through messages or emails, and reminding them that I am at their service whenever they need me, which is a great way to network.
How have you been involved with EGBI? I am very happy to belong to this organization as I volunteer where I have an opportunity to help, but I also learn a lot from being surrounded by excellent people and leaders. I am also very happy to be a volunteer to this great organization of leaders who teach and motivate people to own their own business.
What would you say to other business owners needing help for their business? To any business owners who have questions, I recommend that they approach an EGBI coach. They are all very good people.
If you need help with your business, please connect with EGBI. For more information on our business coaching services, please click on this link https://egbi.org/coach/ . Our team also offers help in Spanish to those who need it.
Eventbrite is an event management platform that allows people to create events, advertise said events, and conduct sales with tickets, all in one place. This allows users to make professional looking event pages, get their words out quickly to large numbers of people, and deal with finances in a quick and simple manner.
Step 1: Create an Account
Visit the Eventbrite website and click on the “Sign Up” button to begin creating your account. Enter your personal details, such as your name and email address, and create a password.
Step 2: Log In
Go to the Eventbrite homepage and click on the “LogIn” button located at the top right corner. Enter your registered email and password, then click “Log In” to access your dashboard. This is where you will manage all your events.
Step 3: Create a New Event
Click on the “Create Event” button on your dashboard to start setting up your event. Enter essential details like the event name, date, time, and location,and specify whether it’s an in-person or online event.
Step 4: Add Event Description
In the description section, provide a detailed and engaging overview of your event. Explain what attendees can expect, including any special features, speakers, or activities. This information helps attract potential attendees by clearly stating the event’s purpose
Step 5: Design Your Event Page
Utilize Eventbrite’s design tools to customize your event page. Add images, videos, and custom branding elements to make the page visually appealing. A well-designed event page can enhance the overall attendee experience.
Step 6: Set Up Ticketing
Go to the “Tickets” tab and choose the types of tickets you want to offer, such as free, paid, or donation-based tickets. Set the price, quantity, and sale dates for each ticket type. You can also create discount codes or special offers to encourage early registrations in this area.
Step 7: Configure Registration Form
Customize the registration form to collect the necessary information from attendees. You can add custom fields, set mandatory questions, and tailor the form to suit your event’s needs. To customize, go into the “Registration Form” section ion.
Step 8: Preview Your Event
Before publishing, preview your event page so you can understand how your customers will see the event. You can preview your event by clicking the “view your event link”.
Step 9: Publish Your Event
Once everything is reviewed and accurate, click the “Publish” button to make your event live. Your event page will now be accessible to the public, allowing potential attendees to register.
Step 10: Share Your Event
Promote your event by sharing the event link on social media platforms, your website, and through email newsletters.
OR
Use Eventbrite’s built-in promotional tools to increase your event’s reach. Consider using paid advertising options offered by Eventbrite to boost visibility. To use tools, go into the marking tab and choose the option that suits you best.
Step 11: Monitor Ticket
Regularly check the “Manage Attendees” section to monitor ticket sales and registrations to see how sales are doing and see the expected amount of attendees
Step 12: Communicate with Attendees
Use Eventbrite’s email tools to send important updates, reminders, and information to your attendees by clicking “Emails to Attendees” in the “Manage Attendees tab”.
Step 13: Check-In Attendees
On the day of the event, use the Eventbrite Organizer app to efficiently check in attendees. The app allows you to scan tickets quickly, maintaining an accurate count of participants.
Step 14: Review Event Performance
Analyze the performance of your event by reviewing data in the “Reports” section. Look at ticket sales, attendance, and engagement metrics to assess what worked well and what needs improvement. Use these insights to enhance future events.
Using an event management software can help make the already complicated event planning process a little easier. Events can change the way your business works, from meeting new people all the way to creating a reputation about your brand with this software, hopefully, you can reap those benefits.
Hashtags may guide users to content relevant to their interests. When you attach hashtags to your posts, you index them under specific topics or themes. This allows your content to be discovered by individuals searching for or following those hashtags. For example, if you’re a fitness enthusiast posting about your workouts, including popular hashtags like #FitnessMotivation can help those with similar interests find and engage with your content.
Amplifying Reach
You can reach a broader audience beyond your followers by leveraging trending hashtags. When your post aligns with a trending hashtag, it becomes more likely to appear in searches or trending sections, exposing your brand to a broader demographic.
Fostering Community Engagement
Hashtags serve as community magnets, bringing together individuals with common interests, hobbies, or causes. Creating branded hashtags specific to your business can encourage user-generated content.
Organizing Content Campaigns
Hashtags organize and track content campaigns across various social media platforms. Whether running a promotional campaign, hosting an event, or launching a product, creating a unique hashtag for the initiative allows you to monitor its performance and measure engagement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hashtags are vital for achieving visibility, engagement, and growth. By strategically implementing hashtags into your social media marketing, you can enhance discoverability, amplify reach, foster community engagement, and organize content campaigns.
Christin Ong worked for a drug store company where she learned and caught on to all of the resources she needed to and took those resources and used them with her future business/ career. Christin works at Commercial Leasing with LT Commercial Group.
Here is the interview with David Fuentes and Christin Ong.
David Fuentes: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself how you started working in the Commercial LT group?
Christin Ong: I worked at a national drugstore company. I was able to leverage my knowledge ofmanaging a high profile business and managing operations into commercial real estate with a family investing in commercial real estate.
David Fuentes: What essentials of Commercial Leasing with LT Commercial Group with Christin Ong?
Christin Ong: If you want easy access and visibility what you should consider is the cost and you’re not going to want to consider if the monthly budget fits into your monthly or rent budget but are there any other additional costs that you’re going to be responsible for.
David Fuentes: What are key elements of a commercial leasing contract and which parts are important to review over?
Christin Ong: With commercial leasing everything is very important but it’s also so long and it can be very intimidating especially if this is your first time into a contract like this so really you should look over everything.
David Fuentes: What are the differences between gross lease, a net lease, and a triple net lease and how do they impact tenants?
Christin Ong: Almost any operating expenses so you just have one flat fee every month. Nothing is variable. It doesn’t change with a triple net lease it’s a type of net so there’s three types of net leases theirs a single net double net and triple and what it looks like is based on your rental amount but you also have net charges on top of that.
