Veterans in Utah looking to ignite their entrepreneurial pursuits have something special on the horizon. The Utah Veteran Business Resource Center at Salt Lake Community College is ushering in 2025 as the "Year of the Veteran Entrepreneur." This initiative kicks off on January 17 with an event at The Mill Entrepreneurship Center on SLCC's Miller Campus, offering veteran business owners an opportunity to connect, as reported by SLCC.
According to Becky Guertler, VBRC Manager, this event is essential because it fosters the same camaraderie veterans experienced during their military service. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that Utah is home to nearly 19,000 veteran-owned businesses. Since its inception in 2017, the VBRC has lent a helping hand to approximately 2,300 of those. "Utah’s veteran business community is poised for unprecedented growth, and we’re excited to support them and recognize their contribution," Guertler said, as per SLCC.
The event anticipates featuring presentations from ten veteran entrepreneurs, showcasing the diversity of veteran-led businesses from HVAC services to digital marketing. Among those presenting, Jerik Erskine, an Army veteran and owner of Alpine Home Services, will share insights from his involvement in HVAC. Navy veteran Donyale West, from 21West Productions, will delve into his experiences in video production and digital marketing. Another Navy vet, Michael Donnell, will present his innovation in the niche of digital tape measures with his business Measure Once Cut Once. These entrepreneurs stand as a testament to the variety of ventures that veterans are leading in the state.
Starting at 11:30 a.m. on January 17, the launch event is set to provide a platform for networking and support amongst veteran entrepreneurs. "This is an invaluable opportunity for our veterans to network, share experiences, and support one another on our business journeys," West said, as obtained by SLCC. The Center offers resources through all business stages, from ideation to scaling, guiding them toward useful resources and peer support.
