I would have to guess that 20%-25% of new clients talk to me in our first meeting wanting to know about grants or special funding for veterans. Let's go over what is real vs. what is rumor mill. The SBA doesn't actually give startup grants to veterans, though they do waive some fees in certain circumstances: SBA's own site states plainly that it doesn't provide grants for starting or expanding a business; its grant dollars go to nonprofits and resource partners that provide counseling and training. This could clear up a lot of reader confusion and position you as the trustworthy source. So, find a non-profit that has a mission to support veterans or small business and apply for the funds. Now lets cover A roundup of real cash-grant programs for veteran founders. Here are a handful of legitimate no-strings grants currently running: the Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program (four $10,000 awards and one $25,000 award annually, funded by the FedEx Founders Fund), Warrior Rising's Business Shower grants ($2,000–$150,000, but only for graduates of its training pipeline), the National Association for the Self-Employed's Growth Grants (up to $4,000, membership required), and smaller/regional ones like Texas Woman's University's Veteran Entrepreneur Grant ($5,000 awards, Texas-only) and the Farmer Veteran Coalition's Fellowship Fund for ag-based businesses. Now lets look at the PE (Private Equity) side of the house. Hivers & Strivers, a veteran-focused angel investment group writing $100K–$1M checks in exchange for equity. (I have not personally worked with them). The best thing going for disabled veterans is still the VR&E program. As most know by now, they can offer up to $50,000 (with exceptions) for a veteran to start a business. The program usually takes 6-18 months and you need an official business plan that is vetted by an SBA partner (Me, VBOC, SBDC). IF interested, reach out to me directly.

Finding the right funding can make or break a growing business but protecting your credit while you search is just as important. Many entrepreneurs unknowingly damage their scores by applying for too many products or working with lenders who run hard inquiries upfront. The good news is that you can explore capital options strategically without taking unnecessary hits. Start by focusing on soft‑pull lenders, which review your credit without affecting your score. Many reputable online lenders, CDFIs, and fintech platforms now offer prequalification tools that let you compare rates safely. You should also look at non‑credit‑Finding Funding Without Hurting Your Credit** Securing capital is one of the biggest hurdles for entrepreneurs, but protecting your credit score while doing it is just as important. Fortunately, there are smart, low‑impact ways to explore funding without triggering hard inquiries or unnecessary risk. **Be careful to not just fill out a generic contact form on a website that will search for offers. These sites are lead farms and they sell your info to EVERYBODY. Your phone will ring 10x/day for 3-6 months*** Next, look at non‑debt options. Grants, pitch competitions, and government programs like SBA resource partners (SCORE, VBOC, SBDC) provide guidance and sometimes direct funding with zero credit impact. Crowdfunding and revenue‑based financing can also give you access to capital without traditional credit pulls. Finally, keep your financials clean and organized. A strong business plan, clear cash‑flow projections, and documented traction can open doors to lenders who rely more on business fundamentals than personal credit. Exploring funding shouldn’t cost you points on your score. With the right strategy, you can find the capital you need while keeping your credit intact and your business moving forward.

Profit margin is one of the most misunderstood numbers in small business, and discounts quietly destroy it. A “10% discount” on a $100 product sounds harmless—until you look at the math. If your profit margin is 20%, you make $20 on that sale. Drop the price to $90, and you’ve just given away $10 of profit. That isn’t a 10% reduction in profit—it’s 50% of your income on that item. Scale that across a year: a business earning $80,000 in profit could see that number collapse to $40,000 simply by routinely offering “10% off.” That’s not a marketing strategy; that’s self‑inflicted erosion. Discounts rarely close more deals when your marketing, positioning, and sales process are strong. Customers buy when they perceive value, trust your expertise, and believe your solution solves their problem. Instead of cutting price, increase the perceived value—better service, clearer outcomes, stronger guarantees, or a differentiated experience. Protect your margin; it’s the lifeblood of your business. A lot of businesses don't need to sell more, they need to keep more.

Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), announced a new rule allowing borrowers to combine their 7(a) and 504 loans for up to $10 million in SBA-backed financing. This change doubles the previous $5 million cap, expanding access to capital for small businesses across industries. - Small businesses in construction, logistics, food production, manufacturing, energy, and related industries can now apply for up to $5 million through the 7(a) program while continuing to use unlimited 504 loans for distinct projects. - The rule takes effect July 4, marking the highest financing level in SBA history. - Loeffler emphasized that the Trump Administration is “unleashing historic new capital” to help small businesses grow, hire, and expand production. - The initiative aims to empower job creators, strengthen American manufacturing, and boost the small business economy. In short, the SBA’s new policy significantly increases available funding for small businesses—especially manufacturers—by combining two major loan programs under a unified $10 million cap. Read the full article at the link below: https://www.sba.gov/article/2026/05/18/sba-doubles-cumulative-7a-504-loan-limit-10-million#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20%E2%80%93%20Today%2C%20Kelly%20Loeffler%2C%20Administrator%20of%20the,capital%20available%20to%20small%20businesses%20across%20all%20industries

As I opened up another Business Banking account this week, it made me think of business credit. One of the things the Branch Manager was saying is that I could get a commercial loan without pulling my own credit, just the business credit, which is excellent. Some info about Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) The largest business credit bureau, D&B assigns a PAYDEX score (0-100) based on payment history. A score of 80+ indicates you typically pay on time or early. PAYDEX Score: Payment-based (0-100) D&B Rating: Overall creditworthiness assessment Requires a D-U-N-S Number (free to obtain) Experian Business Experian provides an Intelliscore Plus (0-100) that predicts the likelihood of serious delinquency. They also offer a Financial Stability Risk Score. Equifax Business Equifax offers several scores including the Business Credit Risk Score (101-992) and Payment Index (0-100). How to Build Business Credit Step 1: Establish Your Business Entity (How to do step 1 can be found in the Free Training (Kickstarter Training) course here on the Veteran Business Community. Incorporate or form an LLC Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) Open a business bank account Get a dedicated business phone number Create a professional business address Step 2: Get Your D-U-N-S Number Register for a free D-U-N-S Number at dnb.com. This is essential for building business credit with Dun & Bradstreet. I also suggest going to Nav.com to check your credit. Step 3: Establish Trade Lines Work with vendors and suppliers that report to business credit bureaus. Start with easier-to-obtain accounts: Office supply stores (Staples, Office Depot) Shipping companies (UPS, FedEx) Gas cards (Shell, BP) Small vendor accounts in your industry Step 4: Use Business Credit Cards Responsibly Apply for business credit cards that report to business bureaus. Use them regularly and pay balances in full each month. Step 5: Pay Bills Early or On Time