California-Wide Veterans Small Business Week 2025 Events

---

American Made – Veterans & Manufacturing

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM PT

Join the California Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VOBC), and the California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC) to “KICK OFF” Veteran Small Business Week with our: 

                  Made In America Manufacturing Webinar!

“Now” is the right time to grow YOUR “MANUFACTURING BUSINESS”

Our network of resource partners are ready to assist 

Veteran Entrepreneurs to start, grow, hire, and invest in business. 

HEAR from Community partners who can help you start & grow a manufacturing business
LEARN about the SBA NEW Manufacturing loan programs that provide the capital that manufacturers need to get going & keep growing
CONNECT with manufacturing experts nationally and in California
QUESTION & answer session – ask the experts!

Register

---

Operation Market Strong

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT

Speakers from the 3 California VBOC offices – SoCal, Los Angeles Regional & NorCal – will discuss the tools needed to market your business effectively.

Register

---

Vets First – Marching Orders for Procurement

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT

This session is built for veterans and military spouses who want to break into government contracting with good actionable intel — no scuttlebutt.

OUR FEATURED SPEAKERS ARE:

• Wendy Bray, Program Specialist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (VA OSDBU). Wendy will share how to do business with the VA and what it really takes to compete.
• Tron Shephard, Boots to Business Facilitator with the NorCal VBOC, Business Consultant, and former Soldier of the Year. Tron will walk you through SDVOSB, VOSB, and DVBE certifications with straight-talk guidance and tips you can put to use immediately.

Camouflage, cover, and concealment work great in the field — but in small business and contracting, invisibility will cost you. You’ve got to be visible. Join us to learn a proven framework for success with the VA plus insider strategies for standing out, certifying, and securing opportunities.

SESSION TAKEAWAYS:

Doing Business with the VA — Wendy Bray, VA OSDBU

• How to identify and align with VA procurement opportunities
• Best practices for navigating the federal contracting space
• Practical steps to increase your readiness and visibility

Government Contracting Certifications — Tron Shephard, NorCal VBOC

• Eligibility criteria required to qualify for federal small business certifications
• Step-by-step guidance on the registration process for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) – federal, Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) – federal, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) – state of California

Register

---

Veteran Small Business Access to Capital

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT

Join us for an exciting online event that focuses on access to capital for entrepreneurs and small business owners! We have teamed up with District SBA offices to bring you this informative session where you’ll learn about various funding options and strategies to help grow your business.

Register

---

Veteran Entrepreneur Resources

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT

This training will introduce Service Members, Veterans, National Guard and Reserve Members, and Military Spouses with entrepreneurial resources right in their local community including the SBA, CalOSBA, VBOC, WBC, APEX Accelerator, SBDC, SCORE, and CalTap. Specialized training programs for women veterans, service-disabled veterans, and veterans interested in federal procurement will also be discussed.

Register

NorCal VBOC National Veterans Small Business Week 2025 Local In Person Events