We had the good fortune of connecting with Aaron Groziak and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aaron, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
The Colorado Veterans Business Outreach Center (CO VBOC) has been in Colorado for less than two years. It was established in May of 2023 and is hosted by the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in Colorado Springs, CO. The Colorado VBOC is the only office of its kind in Colorado and serves the entire state. The Colorado VBOC provides counseling, training, technical skill development, comprehensive business assessment and mentoring services to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs and business owners who are active-duty military members, veterans, members of the National Guard or Reserve, military spouses, and family members.

What should our readers know about your business?
According to the SBA, Colorado has over 48,800 veteran-owned small businesses that provides approximately $23 billion to the state economy and employs over 96,000 people. In accordance with the mission of the Office of Veteran Business Development, the Colorado VBOC provides programs and services as part of the Colorado small business ecosystem. We are here to help start, grow, and expand small businesses. The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve Members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business.

Services Provided by the Colorado VBOC:

Pre-Business Plan Workshops

The Colorado VBOC conducts entrepreneurial development workshops dealing specifically with the major issues of entrepreneurship. Each client is afforded the opportunity to work directly with the Colorado VBOC business counselor.

Concept Assessments
The Colorado VBOC assist clients in assessing their entrepreneurial needs and requirements.

Business Plan Preparations

The Colorado VBOC assist clients in developing and maintaining a multi-year business plan. The business plan includes such elements as the legal form of the business, equipment requirements and cost, organizational structure, a strategic plan, market analysis, and a financial plan. Financial plans include but are not limited to financial projections, budget projections, and funding requirements.

Comprehensive Feasibility Analysis

The Colorado VBOC provides assistance in identifying and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the business plan to increase the probability of success. The results of the analysis are utilized to revise the strategic planning portion of the business plan.

Entrepreneurial Training and Counseling

The Colorado VBOC, working with other SBA resource partners, target entrepreneurial training projects and counseling sessions tailored specifically to address the needs and concerns of the service-disabled veteran entrepreneur.

Mentorship

The Colorado VBOC conducts, as appropriate, on-site visits with clients to ensure adherence to their business plans. In addition, review monthly financial statements to determine whether a revision of the business plan is warranted or that desired results are being attained.

You may register with the Colorado Veterans Business Outreach Center (CO VBOC) at the following website: https://www.veteranscenter.org/vboc/

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would visit Pikes Peak via the Cog Railway and explore the new Visitors Center at the top of the mountain. We would go for hike in Garden of Gods and learn about the amazing red rock formations in the park. We would tour art galleries, experience great dining and drinking opportunities at multiple of our veteran owned restaurants and distilleries. Finally, we would visit the Royal Gorge and enjoy a scenic train ride that has been referred to as the “most scenic train ride in North America.”

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center (PPSBDC) is an invaluable partner to the Colorado VBOC. Both organizations are powered by the Small Business Administration and work on different aspects of growing and creating small businesses in Colorado. We recently partnered with the PPSBDC at the 17th annual Veterans Small Business Conference, a daylong event featuring advice from subject matter experts about their small businesses and veteran experiences. Thank you to Mr. Brandon Eldridge, the executive director at the PPSBDC, and his team for the opportunity to partner at the event and their hard work in making it a success. The PPSBDC and the Colorado VBOC are both located in the same office suite at the Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation (CCTI) and along with our additional resource partners continue to work on future business collaborations.

Website: https://www.veteranscenter.org/vboc/

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Linkedin: https://www.veteranscenter.org/vboc/

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/COVetBiz

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