NorCal VBOC

11/11/2025

On November 11, the U.S.A. honors our brave men and women who served their country with courage and strength. Thank you to the outstanding who fought to safeguard our nation, our people, and our freedom.

11/02/2025

Let's Kick Off NVSBW and learn about the SBA NEW Manufacturing loan programs that provide the capital that manufacturers need to get going and keep growing.

Join the California VBOC for NVSBW: American Made - Veterans & Manufacturing on November 12 - 2 pm PT.

Still time to register at https://www.norcalvboc.org/nvsbw25/

05/26/2025

Honoring those who have served. We will always remember those who are gone. They will never be forgotten.

05/24/2025

👏 Incredible work, Allen Archuleta Jr, MBA, CEPA!!! Your dedication to supporting veteran entrepreneurs truly shines through in moments like this. At NorCal VBOC, we’re proud to see the impact of your guidance and the well-deserved success of your client, now recognized as Veteran Business Owner of the Year. Congratulations to you both—this is what veteran entrepreneurship is all about!



Office of the Small Business Advocate

This is "Nick's Sandwiches | BASBA" by Goldilocks Studios on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

04/25/2025

Thrilled to share some exciting news from the North Coast! Today marked the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the brand new Startup Humboldt Innovation Hub in Arcata, and it was fantastic to see Keli Benham-Anthis, Director of the NorCal VBOC, there to celebrate!

Even better, NorCal VBOC & North Coast SBDC are hosting a Veteran & Small Business Summit there on May 1, 2025!

This is a must-attend summit for Veterans and aspiring/current small business owners looking to launch, grow, secure government contracts, and access capital.

🗓️ May 1, 4-7 pm
📍 Startup Humboldt Hub, Arcata

For Veterans & small business owners: learn about startups (including Boots to Business!), government contracting, and accessing capital (w/ Allen Archuleta Jr.). Network with experts from NorCal VBOC, SBA, SBDC, Norcal APEX Accelerator, Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce, Arcata Chamber of Commerce, Caltrans District 1, CalOSBA & more!

This is one of the FIRST events at this innovative hub! Don't miss out. Refreshments served.

Register now: https://www.norcalvboc.org/event/veterans-business-resource-summit-arcata-05-01-2025/

03/05/2025

“Operation: Fund Your Dreams” is a comprehensive course designed exclusively for Veterans, active military personnel, and their families who are embarking on an entrepreneurial journey.

This program is tailored to equip participants with the knowledge and strategies needed to secure funding for their new business ventures.

This two-hour workshop will discuss the following topics:
- Goals and Objectives
- Market Research
- Business Planning
- Exploring Funding Options
- Cash Management
- Financial Strategy
- Credit and Funding

There is no fee to participate. Registration is required:
https://www.norcalvboc.org/.../funding-new-venture-03-12-25/

This is an online class. The Zoom link will be emailed one day prior to event and/or upon registration.

03/05/2025

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Business Plans in Action Workshop on March 11 from 10am - 12pm PST.

Whether you are launching, expanding or pivoting your business, this deep dive will take you through the process of how to complete each step in the business plan outline.

This training is designed for veteran/military family entrepreneurs interested in writing a viable business plan that will get you focused in the right direction to capture the attention of investors, partners and lenders.

The finished project is also an important operating tool to help you manage your business and enable you to achieve greater success.

Topics Covered will include:
-Executive Summary
-Industry and Market Analysis
-Marketing Strategy
-Operations and Organizational Design
-Implementation
-Financial Strategy
-Financial Management
-Legal Structure
-Record keeping
-Cash Management
-Forecasting
-Personnel
-Exit Strategy and much more.

Workshop will include live, interactive, reflective, and relatable exercises. Please have pen and paper ready.

This workshop is presented on the Zoom platform. Zoom link and password will be emailed to registered participants the day prior to the event.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED: https://www.norcalvboc.org/event/business-plans-in-action-03-11-2025/

There is no cost to attend this workshop and is brought to you by the NorCal VBOC, SoCal VBOC and US Small Business Administration.

02/15/2025

02/11/2025

Are you a Veteran looking to start or grow your business and would like to network with other small business owners? Or are you looking to connect with consultants?

Join the NorCal VBOC, Solano-Napa SBDC and the U.S. Small Business Administration for this no-cost Veteran Business Resource Fair specifically for , Military-connected Family Members, Guard and Reserve.

No matter where you are on your entrepreneurial journey, there are government resources for Veterans like YOU!

This is a unique opportunity to have multiple business resource partners available to you in one location! Network with leaders from the Solano-Napa Small Business Development Center, NorCal Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC), and the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Learn about opportunities for government certifications, contracting, and capability statements.

Please join us on Tuesday, February 18, 10 am to 12 pm, in the Harry Price Conference Room at the Daily Desk, 490 Chadbourne Road, in Fairfield for the Veteran Business Resource Fair.

11/14/2024

The is attending the 8th Annual Veterans In Business (VIB) Network National Conference in beautiful San Diego, California!

This incredible event is all about building connections among Veteran-Owned Businesses, Corporations, Government Agencies, and Primes looking for partnership opportunities.

With over 500 attendees from corporations, government agencies, resource groups, and diverse small and veteran businesses, there’s an inspiring energy in the air!

Our NorCal VBOC team of Keli Benham-Anthis, Valerie Mebust, Tron Shephard and Omar Harris is here to support, network, and serve veteran-owned businesses from across the country.

The ’s mission of investing in education, promoting economic growth, establishing meaningful relationships, and advocating for the resources our veterans need to succeed aligns well with our mission to help veterans start and grown there small business.

We are especially honored to hear from Nicole Heavirland, former USA Rugby All-American and US Military Academy-Army West Point graduate, who is addressed the attendees this morning with insights from her remarkable journey.

Together, we’re building a stronger community and paving the way for veterans in business!

11/11/2024

On behalf of all of us at the , Happy Veterans Day and thank you for your dedication and sacrifice.