About Us

Veterans Helping Veterans

Assisting Veterans, Active Duty, Guard and Reserve Members in the formation and expansion of their businesses.

  •  Training
  • Workshops on financing your business, fixing your credit score.
  • Education
  • Classes on writing an effective business plan, marketing, accounting as well as Internet courses on sharpening your life skills.
  • Mentoring
  • Helping Veterans work closely with other entrepreneurs
  • Counseling
  • The Center’s staff and other business counselors assist clients with writing an effective business plan and securing business financing.
  • Procurement
  • Partnering with Procurement Technical Assistance Centers across Michigan, assisting Veterans accessing both federal and state contracts.
  • Advocacy
  • Our staff keeps apprised of Veterans issues, especially set-asides in both Federal and State contracts.
  • Networking
  • The Center helps Veterans establish working relationships with other agencies and enterprises which, in turn, assist veterans in accomplishing their entrepreneurial goals.
  • Conferences

Every fall since 2006, VetBizCentral has sponsored a day long conference at various venues across Michigan. Besides informative speakers, there are a host of various break-out sessions. Also a great networking opportunity.

Pre-Business Plan Workshops

VBOCs conduct entrepreneurial development workshops dealing specifically with the major issues of self-employment. An important segment of these workshops entails the usage of the Internet as a tool for developing and expanding businesses. Each client is afforded the opportunity to work directly with a business counselor.

Concept Assessments

VBOCs assist clients in assessing their entrepreneurial needs and requirements.

Business Plan Preparations

VBOCs assist clients in developing and maintaining a five-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 financial projections, budget projections, and funding requirements.

Comprehensive Feasibility Analysis

VBOCs provide 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

VBOCs, 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

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

Other Business Developmental Related Services

VBOCs also provide assistance and training in such areas as international trade, franchising, internet marketing, accounting, and more.

VetBizCentral Staff

ABRON ANDREWS JR.

 

Director
abron@vetbizcentral.org

Abron, a service connected Disabled Veteran, proudly severed in the United States Navy from 1986-1998. He owned and operated his own Auto Detailing Business in San Diego, California. Abron joins us to proudly serve his fellow veterans in pursuit of their goal of becoming business owners.

Having received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from National University in San Diego California Abron went on to complete his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Ashford University.


MATT SHERWOOD

Business Counselor
matt@vetbizcentral.org

Matt, a service connected disabled veteran, proudly served in the United States Army from 1994- 1997. “I took on this responsibility because of my passion for helping fellow veterans achieve their goals through business ownership.”

After attaining an Associate Degree in Marketing Management from Mott College, Matt went on to graduate Cum Laude from Baker College, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

 

MARK CLEMENT

Business Counselor

mark@vetbizcentral.org

Mark, a retired attorney, practiced law in Michigan for 25 years and owned his own firm for 15 years. 

He attended the University of Michigan in pursuit of his BA, JD and attended Southern Methodist University in pursuit of his MBA. 

 

SHERMAN CHEVALIER

Office Manager/Graphics
sherm@vetbizcentral.org

Sherman began as a volunteer with VetBizCentral shortly after we opened our office. A retired General Motors skilled tradesman, he is also a Vietnam Era Veteran, serving from 1973-1975 as an Improved Hawk CW Radar Repairman.


EDWARD L. RONDERS
1946-2020

Founder