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Biz Program Helps Vets Become Their Own Boss

The U.S Army

Florida is encouraging veterans to start their own businesses with an entrepreneurship program kicking off next January. 

Veterans Florida is a government-backed non-profit built around making Florida attractive for exiting service members.  Executive director Bobby Carbonell says one of their initiatives is a program helping veterans start businesses.

“Military service gives them that key skill of tenacity and learning to do things with limited resources, attention to detail that entrepreneurs need,” Carbonell says.  “We just want to give them the foundation of a good entrepreneurial education so they can realize the American dream, and be their own boss.”

Carbonell says in the programs first year they served more than 150 veterans with service going back as far as the Vietnam War.  He expects almost 300 participants next year.  The deadline to apply is December 14.

Nick Evans came to Tallahassee to pursue a masters in communications at Florida State University. He graduated in 2014, but not before picking up an internship at WFSU. While he worked on his degree Nick moved from intern, to part-timer, to full-time reporter. Before moving to Tallahassee, Nick lived in and around the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years. He listens to far too many podcasts and is a die-hard 49ers football fan. When Nick’s not at work he likes to cook, play music and read.