By Kayla Sosa
The Boots to Business Workshop aims to empower and educate United States veterans on business and entrepreneur skills. This month, Grand Valley State University’s Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur Lab will host a workshop open to all veterans in the community.
“To me there is no greater joy than helping a veteran or veteran spouse how to start, grow, or expand a business,” said Matt Sherwood, executive director of the boots to business program.
Sherwood, an army veteran himself, has a degree in business administration from Baker College. He said he was always entrepreneurial as a kid with paper routes and a lawn mowing business. That skill followed him through his service, and now his work.
“Many of the skill sets that were taught to us in the military align well with the skill sets to be a successful entrepreneur, including discipline, paying attention to detail, problem solving, and team building skills to name a few,” he said.
Sherwood said the program is meant to show veterans and military families the benefits of being a business owner as well as the resources available to them.
“Many veterans that suffer from PTSD and other related physical injuries prohibit them from having traditional employment,” Sherwood explained. “Self employment is a great way for these men and women to find sustainability and be productive members within their communities.”
The Boots to Business Workshop will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 17 at GVSU’s Seidman College of Business, 50 Front Avenue SW. Those interested can register by email at this link.
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