[heading icon=”” type=”standard” size=”h2″ extra=””]Guidelines for On-Boarding with The Jonas Project[/heading]
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Are you an honorably discharged U.S. Veteran AND are you ready to start a business? This is a very big step in someone’s life and must be taken seriously. It may be the hardest thing you have ever tackled, but The Jonas Project is here for you.
The Jonas Project helps Honorably Discharged U.S. Veterans who wish to be entrepreneurs if they are ready to learn and take the advice of experienced Jonas Project Mentors. We do not have the expertise to help start non-profits or franchises, but we can help with any for-profit business.
Before submitting an application through The Jonas Project Website, please make sure you have the following details taken care of:
- TJP wants you to have worked in a civilian job for at least 12 months after separating, and to continue working until the launch of your business is imminent. This is very important if you never had an adult, civilian job before enlisting or commissioning. Part time jobs from high school or college do not count. (If you are a reservist or guard and have already worked in the civilian world, this does not apply to you.)
- If you are in college or university working on any degree, we wish you to finish the degree before you attempt to start a business. Starting a business always takes more of your time than you think it will. Always. Trust us.
- Write a complete first draft of your business plan. You can get help from the resources in item 5. The plan must include:
- Your basic market research. You must have some knowledge of the area of operations you wish to enter.
- A startup expenses budget.
- Financial projections: 12 months cash flow, 12 months profit and loss, and opening day balance sheet.
- We do not expect the plan to be perfect. In fact, if you’ve never done it before we know you will overlook some things. But we expect it to demonstrate planning to the best of your current abilities, just as you would have planned anything important during your service.
- The following resources are partially funded by the federal government. They belong to all of us. Use them and get as much from them as you can.
- SBDC (Small Business Development Center)
- VBOC (Veterans Business Outreach Center)
- WBC (Women’s Business Centers)
- In addition, your city, county, or state might have business assistance centers.
- When you have done this, submit an application on our website. You will be contacted within two business days of submittal. We will review your plan to see if you are ready for our intensive mentoring program.
Starting a business is not a casual thing. Our Mentors, all of them business owners themselves, can tell you how time-consuming and challenging it is. One of the most important qualities you must have is the willingness to learn new things. If you don’t know anything about financial management, you must be willing to learn at least the basics. The same applies to market research, marketing, and sales. You must be trainable, teachable, and flexible.
Good luck. We hope to hear from you soon.
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