Articles - Fall 2011 - return to index
A New Program Helps Veterans Start Their Own Business
 |
U.S. Army veteran Ron Tinsley
facilitates the Veteran’s Small Business Management Program |
Small businesses are leading the way to economic recovery in Oregon. Realizing that many small business owners are veterans of the U.S. armed services, The Small Business Development Center at Lane Community College is adding a program to our vast array of business services. The Veteran's Small Business Management Program (V-SBM) focuses on the unique needs of veterans involved in the startup or operation of small businesses.
Based on the successful model created by Thomas G. Jones, Ph.D., V-SBM bridges the gap between military service and the challenges (and joys) of starting, owning and operating a successful business.
Practical knowledge is gained from
a mix of classroom instruction,
individual advising, and peerto-
peer interchange. Classroom
instruction focuses on the five
distinct elements of business.
Curriculum covers management,
finance, marketing, expertise and
technology and will address major
issues that all small business
owners face. Unique issues that
each individual business owner
may face in their business are
targeted during monthly one-on-one
advising sessions with the
instructor. Attendees benefit from
the synergy created within group
discussions and by networking
with business owners whose
experiences range from startups
to successes. Guest speakers
will present on other resources
available to veteran small business
owners through both the public
and private sectors.
Facilitator Ron Tinsley (U.S. Army 1966–1969) is a graduate of the University of Oregon School of Business, with a major in marketing and logistics, and an operations control minor. He holds eight U.S. patents and has owned and operated several small businesses, ranging from a 7-Up franchise, to a small manufacturing business that grew into the third largest in its industry in the country. His experience includes manufacturing, construction, retail, real estate, sales, marketing, and introducing innovations into the market. Ron’s teaching philosophy is, "the answers to most questions that business owners ask are already within the business and the business owner. My job is to help bring those answers forward into a workable form."
Check out LaneSBDC.com for more information on business services. To register for the Veteran's Small Business Management Program, contact Ron at tinsleyr@lanecc.edu or the SBDC at (541) 463-4625.
Small Business
Development
Center offers:
• Business Classes & Workshops
• Business Management Programs
• Employee Training
• Farm and Garden Program
• Legal Service Referral
• Software Discounts
