Veterans Small Business Week 2025

The California Network of Veterans Outreach Centers are celebrating Veterans Small Business Week with several California-wide events.

Celebrate Veterans Small Business Week 2025

During the second week of November, the NorCal, SoCal and LA Regional Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC) are Honoring Veteran-Owned Small Businesses during Veterans Small Business Week with several California-wide events that will provide a forum where Veteran business owners will be able to get expert advice, learn new business strategies, connect with industry experts, and meet other business owners.

California-Wide Event Schedule

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3 | 12:00 NOON – 2:00 PM PT
American Made – Veterans & Manufacturing

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT
Operation Market Strong

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT
Government Contracting

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT
Access to Capital

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT
Veteran Entrepreneur Resources/Disaster Relief

Local Event Schedule

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM PT
In- Person: Pasadena City College – Foothill Campus
Funding Intel Brief – Gain Situational Awareness in the Lending Process

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13 | 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM PT
City of Temecula – Veterans Appreciation Breakfast

American Made – Veterans & Manufacturing

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3 | 12:00 NOON – 2:00 PM PT

Join the California Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VOBC) and California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC) to “KICK OFF” Veteran Small Business Week with our:

Made In America Manufacturing Webinar!

“Now” is the right time to grow YOUR “MANUFACTURING BUSINESS”

Our network of resource partners are ready to assist

Veteran Entrepreneurs to start, grow, hire, and invest in business.

HEAR from SBA and Community partners who can help you start & grow a manufacturing business
LEARN about the SBA NEW Manufacturing loan programs that provide the capital that manufacturers need to get going & keep growing
CONNECT with manufacturing experts nationally and in California
QUESTION & answer session – ask the experts!

Operation Market Strong

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT

Speakers from the 3 California VBOC offices – SoCal, Los Angeles Regional & NorCal – will discuss the tools needed to market your business effectively.

Vets First: Marching Orders for Procurement

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM PT

This session is built for veterans and military spouses who want to break into government contracting with good actionable intel — no scuttlebutt.

OUR FEATURED SPEAKERS ARE:

Wendy Bray, Program Specialist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (VA OSDBU). Wendy will share how to do business with the VA and what it really takes to compete.
Tron Shephard, Boots to Business Facilitator with the NorCal VBOC, Business Consultant, and former Soldier of the Year. Tron will walk you through SDVOSB, VOSB, and DVBE certifications with straight-talk guidance and tips you can put to use immediately.

Camouflage, cover, and concealment work great in the field — but in small business and contracting, invisibility will cost you. You’ve got to be visible. Join us to learn a proven framework for success with the VA plus insider strategies for standing out, certifying, and securing opportunities.

SESSION TAKEAWAYS:

Doing Business with the VA — Wendy Bray, VA OSDBU

How to identify and align with VA procurement opportunities
Best practices for navigating the federal contracting space
Practical steps to increase your readiness and visibility

Government Contracting Certifications — Tron Shephard, NorCal VBOC

Eligibility criteria required to qualify for federal small business certifications
Step-by-step guidance on the registration process for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) – federal, Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) – federal, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) – state of California

Funding Intel Brief – Gain Situational Awareness in the Lending Process

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM PT
PASADENA CITY COLLEGE – FOOTHILL CAMPUS

Join Us During Veterans Small Business Week for an In-Person Lender Panel & Frank Conversation for Veterans and Military Spouses, Hosted by the LA Regional Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC).

If you’ve ever felt unclear, stuck, or overwhelmed by the small business funding process — you’re not alone. This session is your chance to break through the fog of war with real talk from real lenders.

Join the LA VBOC for a candid, IN-PERSON panel discussion featuring loan officers, lenders, and capital providers who will offer blunt, actionable insight into how veteran-owned small businesses can secure funding — and what obstacles may stand in the way. This is your opportunity to meet, build connections, and ask questions of veteran-friendly lenders.

You’ll walk away with:

Step-by-step guidance on increasing your odds to secure loans
Clarity on what lenders look for — and why lenders make the decisions they do
Intel on state and federal loan guarantees that could reduce your risk and improve your odds
A chance to gather critical tactical information and position your business for funding success
This is not a pitch session. It’s open, honest conversation from the people who sit on the other side of the loan process.

Confirmed Panelists Include:

Francisco Cruz – Accessity, Business Development Officer, accessity.org

Geoffrey Nadler – Farmers & Merchants Bank, First VP/ Relationship Manager, fmb.com

Jezabel Jimenez – East West Bank, VP Business Banking Relationship Manager, eastwestbank.com

Access to Capital

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM PT

Join us for an exciting online event that focuses on access to capital for entrepreneurs and small business owners! The Sacramento and Orange County District SBA offices have teamed up to bring you this informative session where you’ll learn about various funding options and strategies to help grow your business.

Veteran Entrepreneur Resources

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM PT

This training will introduce Service Members, Veterans, National Guard and Reserve Members, and Military Spouses with entrepreneurial resources right in their local community including the SBA, CalOSBA, VBOC, WBC, APEX Accelerator, SBDC SCORE, CalTap and more. Specialized training programs for women veterans, service-disabled veterans, and veterans interested in federal procurement will also be discussed.

City of Temecula – Veterans Appreciation Breakfast

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13 | 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM PT

The City of Temecula Veterans Appreciation Breakfast is a unique gathering that serves to express our deep gratitude for the sacrifices made by Veterans and foster a sense of community among those who have served. During the event, attendees will hear inspiring stories directly from Veterans who have bravely served our country. Come enjoy a delicious complimentary breakfast while connecting with fellow Veterans, family and supporters.

To Register for this free event, please call (951) 694-6480 (x4266), or you can complete registration online by adding the activity (code 9835.201) to your cart and completing the checkout process at temeculaca.gov/register

Who We Serve

The LA Regional VBOC supports and provides small business resources to transitioning service members from all military branches, veterans from any era, and military spouses.

Throughout our region, which includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, we offer various opportunities for training, personalized coaching, connections to valuable resource partners, and networking events.