Live Your Dream – Be Your Own Boss!

vetownedbusiness

According to the Small Business Association Office of Advocacy veterans make up approximately 9.1% of business owners. Veterans have a long standing history of leaving or retiring from military service and venturing out as small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Today there are more opportunities for Americans to start their own business than ever before. There are a multitude of ways that you can start your own business from franchises and licensing opportunities to buying into existing businesses and sales distribution markets, just to name a few. Starting a home-based-business is also always an option and many people exercise this option with varying results. The reasons for business failure are varied but one thing that helps ensure success is a good business model and sound business planning.

Many opportunities touted in the “sharing economy” and in the world of multi level marketing (MLM) promise great financial futures but the statistical reality is that few people who embark in these ventures ever make the income they dreamed of making when they started. These kinds of business “opportunities” have been in the news again with the public commitment of Uber to bring 50,000 vets onboard. You can read about what is going on with that here. 

If you want to avoid the pitfalls of becoming another statistic in these markets you can mitigate your risk. Take your time, and research the business you are getting into. If a business opportunity sounds too good to be true, conventional wisdom dictates that it probably is. However, no harm comes from doing your homework and researching opportunities. Entrepreneur magazine has some great advice on how to research a business opportunity. You can find their informative article here. 

Veterans who wish to go down the road of entrepreneurship have a lot of opportunities today to learn, get mentored and find proven methods of business success. If you are interested in joining the ranks of veterans who own their own business then you will definitely be interested in some of the outstanding opportunities available to you right now. Many of these opportunities are free for veterans! While many of these opportunities are in the San Antonio area we encourage veterans to look into their local Chamber, SBA, and university locations to find out if programs like this are being offered in their location.

We posted a while back that the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is “re-booting” their entrepreneurial boot-camp for military veterans. You can learn more about that here.

Veterans who want to join the SBA and start down the track of entrepreneurship should check out the latest article on the San Antonio Business Journal site. The SBA is extending their fee waiver program for veterans through 2015!

logo

Veterans and transitioning military interested in starting their own business should also check out the San Antonio Small Business Development Center at UTSA. This program offers a number of benefits including special veterans assistance.

fitnessfinancialsuccess

Forward March Inc. has an outstanding relationship with our customer Fred Astarie Dance Studios. You owe it to yourself to check out our previous post to learn more about the outstanding opportunities for employment and even franchise ownership with them.


Military Veterans and Active Duty Personnel – Check This Site Out

Social media is used by so many today that it has become a ubiquitous aspect of our 21st century reality. Businesses and individuals alike use a variety of social media platforms to connect to others. 

Screen Shot 2015-04-30 at 08.26.33

There is a new social media site that Veterans and Active Duty Military personnel may want to check out. http://www.togetherweserved.com/ is a social media site set up for us, or to be more specific, those of us who served. The gives the user the ability to add a ton of information about you and your career (military and post military). While they have a very small subscription fee there is also a robust package for those who want a free service.

Not so long ago we published an article that will help you keep your social media pages and strategies professional and prevent them from becoming a liability in your career search or in your military career. Read that post here… 

Today Is A Great Day for Military Veterans to Become Truck Drivers!

1Zero Tuition Truck Driving School PLUS a Job Offer Upon Completion!
C.R. England is offering Zero* Tuition Truck Driving School PLUS a job offer upon completion1 to qualified veterans, National Guard, and Reserve Members meeting our hiring criteria! As a truck driver with C.R. England you can enjoy all the benefits of working with the largest refrigerated trucking company in the nation. We have limited space available so APPLY NOW

  • C.R. England Offers:
  • Great Training
  • Stable Employment
  • Top-of-the-Line Equipment
  • Strong Driver Support Program
  • Mileage, Safety and Fuel Savings Bonus Program
  • Independent Contractor Opportunities

The Weekly Roundup – Jobs, Education and More! 4/24/15

ATTENTION VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING MILITARY PERSONNEL: 

This Weekly Round Up is jam packed with a TON of useful info. Grab a cup of joe, a pen and paper, maybe your cell phone and prepare to be amazed. We have job opportunities, education opportunities, entrepreneurial opportunities, employment info, events and so much more!


First and foremost lets not forget its FRIDAY! R.E.D. Friday that is!

red friday 3 20 15

Its R.E.D. Friday again, so break out those red shirts!
R.E.D. Friday is here so remember everyone deployed!

Go learn more about R.E.D. Fridays:

http://redshirtfridays.org/  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Support_our_troops

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Support-Our-Troops-Wear-Red-Fridays/188809874489323


Screen Shot 2015-04-24 at 08.36.13

Join us at our next SACVF meeting to learn about different PTSD treatment methods from local experts.
 
 

SACVF Meeting-Save this Date:

Date:  Wed, May 6, 2015

Time:   1:30-3:30pm

Address:  Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG), 8700 Tesoro Dr.  78217

Room:  Al J. Notzon III Board Room, 1st floor, Suite #100

NEXT:
Join SACVF in a collaborative 
free Veterans Benefits Fair. 
Screen Shot 2015-04-24 at 08.37.21

Download AUSA flyer and Exhibitor forms here…

ANOTHER FUN UPCOMING VETERAN EVENT!

b5f30a02-da74-46ca-9e8c-fe44214883d2


Employment News:

Are you an IT professional in the military?
Are you a veteran who is an IT professional?
You will probably want to check out the latest post at MySA: Tech Industry to Train and Hire 90k Workers.

Looking for a good company that is looking for you? Well, if you are a veteran or a transitioning military job seeker then you should check out Verizon, USAA and Lockheed Martin. Read more here…

Here is some encouraging news on the growth going on with veteran employment. Read more here…


JOB OPENING:

Veterans and Transitioning Military: Outstanding Opportunity

If you like to work outside and like constantly changing scenery then you will really want to look into this opportunity. We are currently looking for MILITARY VETERANS and TRANSITIONING MILITARY personnel who are interested in a ten week course to become a Catastrophic Claims Adjustor. The training for this position can be paid for using your military benefits for education. Upon completion of the course students will receive three certifications that will enable you to work as a Catastrophic Claims Adjustor and a Home Inspector. This is an exciting opportunity with income potential ranging from $60 to $120k annually. For MILITARY VETERANS, TRANSITIONING MILITARY, and Spouses of Veterans and Transitioning military, send us your resume and contact information.

You can Email your Resume to Richard  – Send Email


JOB OPENING:

Veterans and Transitioning Military and spouses of Veterans and Transitioning Military: Truck Driver Opportunity

We are currently looking for veterans, transitioning military personnel and spouses of veterans and transitioners who are interested in commercial Truck Driving.

You can Email your Resume to Richard  – Send Email


Drivers Wanted!!!!

We have positions available for drivers/truck drivers.

You can Email your Resume to Richard  – Send Email

Delivery Driver San Antonio, Austin, Victoria and Temple (Sign On Bonus Available)

Shuttle DriverLaredo and Temple (Sign On Bonus Available)
 Recruit Military also has a nice list of veteran job fairs which you can find here… 

Screen Shot 2015-02-27 at 09.22.42

Do you want financial freedom?
Are you into fitness and the exercise scene? 

Some military personnel who have transitioned out of the military have taken a fast-track training program at Fred Astaire Dance Studios. In just a few months (that’s right MONTHS) they have gone from knowing little-to-nothing about dance to being actual dance instructors. In a VERY short amount of time they moved up to managing, owning a franchise and now to being among the top producing studios in the company. What we have found at Forward March Inc. is that military personnel are especially suited not only for the training and becoming instructors themselves, but becoming highly successful in the company.  Forward March Inc. has an outstanding relationship with our customer Fred Astarie Dance Studios. You owe it to yourself to check out our previous post to learn more about the outstanding opportunities for employment and even franchise ownership with them.

JOB OPENINGS

Instructor/Trainer

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY We are looking for high-energy individuals who enjoy personal training and working in the fitness industry for positions in our company. This career includes paid travel and a schedule where most of your mornings are free. All of our training and certificates will be paid by the company. You can continue your career into management and ownership with franchise opportunities. These instructor/trainer positions can earn up to $75,000 per year.

Management

Do you have strong leadership and management skills and training? You will need to be able to lead small teams of 5 to 7 instructors/trainers on a daily schedule. You will also need to be able to present packages to clients and enroll them into our programs. Career advancement is available. You can also further your career through franchise opportunities. Income potential can be up to $100,000.

Franchise/Ownership

Would you like to be your own boss? Are you looking for real opportunities that present long term careers and financial freedom? Come and join the ranks of those who work for themselves. Join this franchise system and start living your dream. This franchise started in 1947 and has been one of the top franchise systems in the country since. We will train you in how to run the day to day operations to how to become a multi unit owner and build your legacy.

Currently we are looking for Instructors, Managers, Assistant Managers and more. Contact Emma at Forward March Inc. today to learn more!!!!  – Send Email

Learn about the great work Forward March Inc. is doing with Fred Astaire Dance Studios through Dancing With Our Heroes. To date we have worked together to raise over $300,000.00 for The Fisher House Foundation and the USO.  


Job Fairs:

Looking for a great way to network and meet potential employers? Check out some of the job fairs coming to a city near you where dozens of potential employers are searching to recruit great military and veteran talent.

Vets Hiring Event – Thursday, April 23, 11am-2pm (Austin)


Writing a civilian resume:

Translate your military skills, experience and training to find career opportunities in the civilian job market that best align with your capabilities. Click here to learn more…


Job Search Tools:

Find the best jobs that can help you utilize your military skills and training and lead you to a meaningful career path! Military Skills Translators can help. Click here to learn more…

http://www.careerinfonet.org/moc/ part of the Texas Workforce Comission’s Veterans’ Services Program http://www.twc.state.tx.us/jobseekers/just-veterans


Here is a List of More Than 40 Employers Looking For Veterans!!! 

Amazon: Retailers of books, media, electronics and everything in between. Current Amazon job postings

The Exchange: The Army & Air Force Exchange Service. If you have been on a base/post/etc then no explanation needed. 

BNSF Railway: operates one of the largest freight railroad networks in North America, with 32500 miles of rail across the western two-thirds of the United States.

CACI International Inc: Provides professional services and IT solutions needed to prevail in the areas of defense, intelligence, homeland security, and IT modernization and government transformation. 

Capstone Corporation: Customizes the delivery of services and solutions for military and civil operations, enterprise technical requirements and organization and mission support services. 

CenterPoint Energy: Operates in electric transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution, interstate natural gas pipelines, field services, and competitive natural gas sales and services. 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation: Focuses on discovering, acquiring and developing conventional and unconventional natural gas and oil fields onshore in the U.S. 

Cintas: Designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity, uniform programs, and also provides promotional and first aid-safety materials to more than 800,000 businesses.

Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC): Independent, nonprofit, applied scientific research and development professional services organization provides innovative management and technology-based solutions. 

CSX Transportation: Operates transportation network of about 21,000 route miles of track in 23 states, the District of Columbia and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. http://www.csx.com — Also use 888 884 9417, a dedicated number for military.

DaVita, Inc.: Delivers dialysis services in more than 1,500 outpatient clinics. 

Dollar General: The nation’s largest small-box discount retailer, with 9,200 stores in 35 states and nine distribution centers, representing 87,904 employees. 

Fluor Corporation: Fortune 500 company delivers engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance (EPCM), and project management to governments and clients in diverse industries around the world. (www.Fluor.com/careers,http://www.Fluor.com/military and http://www.WorkatFluor.com)

Fred Astaire Dance Studios – Fred Astaire Dance Studios has a strong history of hiring military talent that becomes some of the company’s top producers. No experience is necessary. If you are interested in fitness, working with people, and improving their lives go and apply today here…

G4S Secure Solutions (USA): Leading international security solutions group has more than 50,000 employees across the United States and Canada. 

General Electric: Employs more than 10,000 U.S. veterans, and one in 14 GE employees is a veteran. (www.ge.com/military and www.twitter.com/@gehiresheroes)

Halfaker and Associates, LLC: Specializes in information technology, organization and strategy, intelligence and operations, and supply and logistics. 

Harley Davidson – Harley Davidson, manufacturing American motorcycles, sets the Gold Standard for military hiring. 

HEB – This Texas based supermarket chain is looking for military veteran talent for a variety of positions.  

Lockheed Martin – One of the nation’s largest defense contractors with an outstanding reputation for hiring military personnel. 

ManTech International Corporation: Provides technologies and solutions for mission-critical national security programs. 

Navy Federal Credit Union: Armed forces bank serves the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Veterans, and DOD. 

Northrop Grumman: Global security company provides innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. 

Paychex, Inc.: provides outsourcing services payroll processing, retirement services, insurance, and human resources. 

Progressive Insurance Company: Auto insurance provider. 

Puget Sound Energy: A regulated utility, providing electric and natural gas service to thePuget Sound region. 

SAYtr: For officers or senior NCOs who have a background/interest in civil engineering, facilities management, Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), Force Realignment and Beddown, and similar transitional leadership type work. 

Schlumberger: Oilfield services company supplying technology, information solutions and integrated project management that optimize reservoir performance for customers working in the oil and gas industry. 

Schneider National, Inc.: Specializes in truck driving jobs, and maintenance, warehouse, and office careers. 

Sears Holdings Corporation: The merger of Kmart and Sears has resulted in this company, which manages both stores. 

Southern Company: Electricity providers service both regulated and competitive markets across the southeastern United States.

Sprint: High-profile wireline and wireless service provider.

Tesoro – San Antonio based Tesoro Corporation, an energy company in the oil and gas market, is currently looking for military veterans for various openings. 

Transocean: Handles offshore drilling, from world water-depth and well-depth drilling records to facilitating revolutionary subsea completions. 

Union Pacific – North America’s premier rail franchise sets the Gold Standard for military hiring. Check out their military hiring here…

United Rentals, Inc.: Equipment rental company has an integrated network of more than 550 rental locations in 48 states and 10 Canadian provinces 

University of Phoenix: Provides local and long-distance education options. 

URS, Federal Services: Engineering, construction and technical services organization.

USAA: Provider of insurance, investments, and banking products to members of the U.S. military and their families. 

Verizon Communications Inc.: Wireless communications, IP networks, and information and entertainment provider. 

Waste Management, Inc.: Partners with customers and communities to manage and reduce waste from collection to disposal while recovering valuable resources and creating clean, renewable energy. 


http://m.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/job-hunting/top-35-veteran-employers.html


San Antonio businesses encouraged to hire more veterans with disabilities:

85% of the national unemployment rate is made up of veterans with severe disabilities. The Paralyzed Veterans of America Vocational Rehabilitation program based out of San Antonio is making a huge impact by providing the right tools and services to those who were injured while wearing the uniform and match them with career positions in various businesses and organizations.


Job Search Resources

Veterans who want to join the SBA and start down the track of entrepreneurship should check out the latest article on the San Antonio Business Journal site. The SBA is extending their fee waiver program for veterans through 2015!

logo

Veterans and transitioning military interested in starting their own business should also check out the San Antonio Small Business Development Center at UTSA. This program offers a number of benefits including special veterans assistance.

Check out Forward March Inc.

Screen Shot 2015-04-15 at 08.16.51Have you seen our website? Check us out online at http://www.forwardmarchinc.com.

Business Consulting with a Military Flair!

Forward March, Inc. (FMI) is a Service Disabled Veteran-owned small business based in San Antonio, Texas.  FMI was formed in 2013 by retired US Military Members and successful business professionals with offices in San Antonio and Houston, Texas. We are Veterans serving our military members and corporate America.  FMI is an industry leader in client partner relationships offering second-to-none consultative expertise at an effective cost, making us a premier choice.  We provide our clients with highly qualified Veteran employees who know their business!  FMI offers flexible solutions for your business needs, specializing in:

  • Military Talent Pipeline Services
    – Helping companies find the right military talent, at the right time, for the right skill-set
  • Leadership Training
    – Corporate leadership training with a military flair
  • Heroes Career Academy
    – Military talent with your custom training on your location and in budget
  • Strategic Business Services
    – Helping businesses achieve their performance goals
  • Military Hiring 101 Workshops
    – Teaching the information needed to start a military talent pipeline no matter the size
  • Camouflage to Corporate Conferences
    – Providing the tools for mission success through military talent for a more focused, motivated and productive team
  • Business Bootcamps
    – Leadership, management, motivational, you name it, we can do a bootcamp for it
  • Government Contracting
    – Providing military talent in all levels and positions of contracting
  • Public Speaking Engagements
    – Inquire about our public speakers and topics by contacting us today

We put the HOOAH! in business!

VETERAN OWNED BUSINESSScreen Shot 2015-04-15 at 08.25.19

We Can Train You How To Hire Veterans!

MILITARY HIRING 101 WORKSHOP

Professionals today, across virtually every industry, will attest to the power of quality training. Quality training that keeps professionals up to date in their skill areas helps companies and organizations achieve their mission but it also has the power to help professionals to reach their career-track goals and expectations. Within the world of recruiting and human resources professionals today have a lot to juggle. Finding high quality talent is one of those things that recruiting specialists put at the top of their list. Finding, attracting, hiring and retaining top talent can make a recruiting specialist a “hero” in their organization.

Today’s veterans represent the highest caliber workforce our nation has ever produced. If you are looking to build a strong veteran workforce in your company or organization Forward March, Inc. stands ready to assist. The Forward March Inc. team can bring high quality training to help recruiters learn how to find, attract, hire and retain high quality military talent through our Military Hiring 101 Workshop. This training is very powerful and the Forward March Training Team stands ready to deliver this training to you. We can do custom training for your organization on your location and within your time frame. Check out our website to learn more. http://www.forwardmarchinc.com/mil101.html

Veterans Employment Law Legal Clinic – April 13th in Dallas, Texas

For those of you in the DFW metroplex area, or who want to travel in for this there is a Veterans Employment Law Legal Clinic being held April 13th. See the details below. Veterans Employment Legal Clinic Flyer April 2015

Dancing With Our Heroes – A Great Way To Help Wounded Warriors & Veterans

FA Flyer 2

Forward March Inc. Operation Outreach is proud to announce our event Dancing With Our Heroes – San Antonio is coming up fast! Make sure you get your tickets today! This event will be held in May at the JW Marriott Hill Country Spa and Resort in San Antonio, Texas!

Previous Dancing With Our Heroes events in other cities around the country have met with great success!

Previous Dancing With Our Heroes events in other cities around the country have met with great success!

Dancing With Our Heroes is a truly amazing event where you will have the opportunity to watch a dance competition somewhat like “Dancing with the Stars”. This competition however pairs a professional dancer with a military veteran. All the proceeds from the competition benefit The Fisher House Foundation, the USO, and Good Careers Academy. All three of these organizations do great things for our military veterans.  Please get your tickets today.

fisher-house-logo

Dancing With Our Heroes is looking for sponsors so if your company or organization is looking for an opportunity to help Wounded Warriors and Veterans contact us today.

To learn more about how you can join us for this incredible evening or how you can become an event sponsor go to our website… www.dancingwithourheroes.org

FMI Community Outreach Logo

Transitioning Military and Veteran Tools and Resources

TOOLS AND RESOURCXES FINAL

Forward March Inc. is an SDVOB (Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business). We are a company of veterans helping veterans. Today we would like to share with veterans and transitioning military personnel some valuable tools for employment, education and transition. You can find these valuable tools and more on our website here…

Veteran’s Village and San Antonio Military Job Fair – Thursday March 19th 2015 – click here for more info

Military Veterans:

Department of Veteran’s Affairs

My Army Benefits

Veteran’s Gold Card – The Gold Card provides unemployed post 9/11 veterans with intensive and follow-up services needed to succeed in today’s job market. The God Card initiative is a joint effort of the DoL Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS).

Department of Labor Vets Program

America’s Service Locator – Find workforce services in your area nationwide.

Official Wounded Warrior Programs:

Army Wounded Warrior- AW2

Air Force Wounded Warrior

Navy Wounded Warrior – Safe Harbor

Marine Wounded Warrior

National Resource Directory – Connecting Wounded Warriors, Service Members, Veterans, Their Families and Caregivers with Those Who Support Them.

VetSuccess– VetSuccess is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and provides the opportunity for veterans to post resumes, and for employers to post job openings as well as links directly to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) national employment resources for employers.

Veterans Administration Assistance for Homeless Veterans

VA Benefits for Veterans Dependents and Survivors

National Center for PTSD

The work opportunity tax credit – Veterans Brochure

Army Soldier for Life

Marine for Life

Hero 2 Hire

Transitioning Military:

The US Army has the COOL program – “COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line) helps Army Soldiers find information on certifications and licenses related to their Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs). COOL explains how Soldiers can meet civilian certification and license requirements and provides links to numerous resources to help get them started.”

The US Navy also has the COOL program for their service members.

Active duty military personnel can also get matched with potential employers before they get out making for a smooth transition from their military career to their civilian career. Military personnel can go to their respective service branch military transition program for matching transitioning military with potential employers.

Currently the US Army is using the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which provides job assistance and separation counseling for soldiers and their families.Soldiers can learn more about this program at the official TAP site

The Marine Corps Transition Readiness Program

The US Navy uses a program called Transition GPS

The US Air Force Transition Assistance Program

The US Coast Guard Office of Work-Life Programs –Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

Employment Tools:

Real Strength – Resume and Interviewing information and much more

U.S. DOL Employment Workshop – Transition from Military to Civilian Workforce – Guide

TAP Manual (note: this is the 2001/2003 version)

Navy Transition Guide TGPS Overview Pre-Separation Counseling Checklist

Employment Outlets and Resources:

Private sector effort to hire veterans – http://www.servicelocator.org/

Locate veterans at an American Job Center near you –http://www.uschamberfoundation.org/form/hiring-500000-heroes

Business Center at CareerOneStop – http://www.careeronestop.org/businesscenter/index.aspx

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) – http://www.dav.org/

The Army Women’s Foundation – http://www.awfdn.org/

If you are interested in energy and are interested in a Federal job check out Energy.gov


Sunday, March 15th was the 96th birthday of The American Legion.

Screen Shot 2015-03-17 at 08.31.30 History


The March 1919 Paris Caucus set in motion The American Legion.

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, service members and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country. Today, membership stands at over 2.4 million in 14,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines.

Over the years, the Legion has influenced considerable social change in America, won hundreds of benefits for veterans and produced many important programs for children and youth.

You can learn more about The American Legion here…

Dancing With Our Heroes – May 2015 – San Antonio, Texas

FA Flyer 2

Dancing with Our Heroes is a unique event that pairs Military Heroes with local Fred Astaire dance professionals to compete at a fund-raising Gala for the Fisher House, the USO and Goodwill Good Careers Academy on May 24th, 2015.

A Hero, as defined for our event, is any member (active or retired) of the US Armed Services, or the spouse of a currently deployed member. We have found quite a few Heroes for our 2015 Gala to be held in San Antonio, Texas. However, we still need more. If you know someone who fits the description who would like to participate please email us – Send Email If YOU fit the description and would like to take part, don’t be shy! We would be HONORED to have you. Send us an email message!  Send Email.

To learn more about this exciting event and how YOU can get involved head over to the Dancing With Our Heroes website. 

Learn more about Forward March Inc. Operation Outreach here…