Ask Larry Van Schuyver what he learned at the Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP) and he will say, “That I was doing everything wrong to make my business a success.” 

Van Schuyver owner of Sittin’ Pretty, a T-shirt company that features his hand-drawn artwork on shirts, many supporting veteran and non-profit causes. A disabled veteran, he was also in the first class of 30 veteran entrepreneurs who participated in the new program sponsored through the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship at Oklahoma State University.

Van Schuyver, 56, of Oklahoma City, created his business while recuperating from a head injury incurred while serving in the Navy. When he learned about VEP through another veteran, it sounded like the ideal opportunity for him. “I didn’t even have a business plan or a tracking system. They helped me in so many ways,” he said.
 

Step-by-Step

The VEP program is a three-stage program offered free-of-charge to disabled or service distinguished veterans according to Mary Means, assistant director of Riata’s program.  The first step is a week of on-line courses for the veterans held in the first part of December, and then the veterans are brought to the Oklahoma State campus in Stillwater for an intensive 8-day program in January. Classes are taught by University professors and experts in the business field including successful entrepreneurs.  

“We call it boot camp,” Means explained. “We cover so many topics and they have several sessions a day and even homework.”

Private donations cover the entire cost so the veterans don’t have to worry about expenses, Means said.

Some of the topics covered include the elements of a business plan, recognizing business opportunities, financing your venture, legal issues, setting prices and supply and demand issues. After completion or “graduation” as Means referred to it, the participants are then matched with mentors who assist them for the next six-to-eight months.
 

An Emphasis on Mentoring

Dr. Mike Morris, who heads the OSU School of Entrepreneurship,said the program was created in three parts for a purpose. “This isn’t just an eight-day program but has three parts for a 12-month long program,” Morris said. “We feel that the mentoring portion is so important. That helps ensure that our veterans are successful.”

The program was created to support disabled veterans, a population that is a natural for owning their own business said Morris, “We have more disabled veterans than ever before thanks to advances both on the field and in our hospitals, but it is a difficult transition for them to come back to the work force. This empowers them to create their own jobs, their own careers.”

Eric Vargo, 25, from Manhattan, Kansas is involved in the ownership of three businesses and a graduated from the last VEP class.

“They gave us a good mindset to be a successful entrepreneur,” Vargo said. “They helped us picture ourselves as successful business owners. We know what a mindset can do – they help you see your business growing.”

Staying Connected

As Vargo becomes more successful in his own businesses, he wants to continue working with VEP from another viewpoint.
“The mentorship is essential to the program. I look forward to serving as a mentor myself,” he said.

VEP is now taking applications for its next program. For more information about VEP contact http://entrepreneurship.okstate.edu/vep , Email: vep@okstate.edu  or telephone at 405-744-7552.

 

“Private donations cover the entire cost so the veterans don’t have to worry about expenses.”

-          Mary Means, Assistant Director, Riata Center for Entrepreneurship 

Only 30 veterans will be accepted into the program and slots are filling up fast. Visit http://entrepreneurship.okstate.edu/vepto apply.

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