About Us
The Veterans Business Outreach Center Region IV, representing the State of Florida, has twice been honored as the VBOC of the year, in 2014 and 2018.
Under the leadership of Brenton Peacock, the staff strives to continuously meet the needs of its clients. We consider it an honor and a privilege to serve you and provide the necessary skills to start or grow your own business.
Following a 1999 law to promote veteran participation in the entrepreneurship and small business field, the Small Business Association created and established a number of VBOCs. The Florida program, which is one of twenty-two in the country, finds that success is reflected in many start-ups throughout the State. Our clients have cumulatively received millions of dollars in contract awards, the bulk of which is through federal government contracting and loans. We help strengthen our clients’ business by providing education and resources, with the understanding that military service has set-up veterans to be fine entrepreneurs.
Consulting services are free, and we offer one-on-one communications with clients. Our consultants have been entrepreneurs, were in the military or closely related to the military, have worked in various industries, and have a wide range of education and skills to assist with almost any type of business venture.
The Veterans Business Outreach Center at Gulf Coast State College
Proudly Empowering Veteran Entrepreneurship in Florida
Our Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) serves active duty personnel, veterans, and military spouses who want to learn more about, then start and grow a small business of their own in the State of Florida. We serve the entire State of Florida, from our headquarters in Panama City at Gulf Coast State College.
WHAT CAN THE VBOC DO FOR YOU?
We are your tax dollars at work. The VBOC is funded in part by the US Small Business Administration (SBA). We stand ready to help with FREE business counseling and assistance to Florida’s veterans and military spouses to help you.
Test the feasibility and potential profitability of your start-up idea or expansion of an existing business.
Write a solid business plan before you spend any money.
Take the right steps to start and successfully manage a small business in Florida.
Identify funding sources (banks, credit unions, non-traditional business lenders) and SBA loan programs. VBOC is not a lender nor do we represent any lenders.
Understand business taxes and your financial statements.
Develop marketing and customer acquisition strategies to grow your business.
Consider government contracting and take advantage of your veteran-owned small business status in procurement at all levels (federal, state and local).
