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VETERAN BUSINESS SUMMIT

Your Next Mission: Business Success

November 6 , 2025 | 12:00pm-2:00pm

  • 8300 Boone Blvd, Vienna, VA 22182
Register Now

For Veterans at Every Stage of the Business Journey

Whether you’re launching your first venture, pursuing VOSB/SDVOSB certification, scaling your operations through government contracts, or planning your exit, this comprehensive lunch & learn provides the financial, legal, certification, and strategic guidance specifically designed for veteran entrepreneurs.

Speakers:

John Ashkar
John Marshall Bank
SBA 7(a) loan and SBA Express loan programs
James Estep
John Marshall Bank
Conventional Lending
& Growth Capital
John Moliere
Standard Communications
Veteran Business Certifications & Government Contracting
Wright Lewis
Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig
Growth Through Acquisition

Agenda:

12:00Networking
12:15SBA Financing Solutions for Veterans

John Ashkar

Director of Business Banking

John Marshall Bank

SBA financing options including veteran-specific programs: SBA Veterans Advantage, reduced fees, and special loan programs for starting and growing veteran-owned businesses
12:30Conventional Financing Options

James Estep

Director of Commercial Lending

John Marshall Bank

Conventional lending solutions for business expansion, working capital, and transitions beyond SBA programs
12:45Growth Through Acquisition

Wright Lewis, Esq.

Partner

Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig

Essential legal framework: business entity selection, contracts, risk management, intellectual property protection, and legal considerations for business exits and transitions
1:00Veteran Business Certifications & Government Contracting

John Moliere

CEO

Standard Communications, Inc.

VOSB and SDVOSB certification process, VA verification, government contracting opportunities, set-aside contracts, maintaining certification status, and compliance requirements
1:15Panel DiscussionDunlap Bennett & Ludwig Trust & Estate AttorneysBusiness Succession Planning, strategies for transitioning ownership, family succession vs. sale, financing transitions, preserving veteran business certifications, and wealth management considerations
2:00Networking

Who Should Attend:

✓ Veterans considering starting a business
✓ Veteran business owners seeking growth capital
✓ Businesses pursuing or maintaining VOSB/SDVOSB certification
✓ Service-disabled veterans exploring SDVOSB advantages
✓ Veteran businesses involved in or interested in government contracting
✓ Established businesses planning transitions or exits
✓ Military spouses and business partners
✓ Transitioning service members planning for civilian entrepreneurship

What's Included:

✓ Complimentary lunch
✓ Expert presentations on veteran-specific programs
✓ VOSB/SDVOSB certification guidance
✓ Interactive panel Q&A
✓ Networking with veteran business community
✓ Resources on certification, financing, and legal considerations
✓ Takeaway materials on veteran business benefits

Learn how to leverage veteran-specific advantages including SBA Veterans Advantage (reduced fees), SDVOSB set-aside contracts and sole-source awards (up to $5M), the 3% federal contracting goal, VA verification process, and how to maintain your veteran business status through succession planning.

FAQ's

Absolutely none. This event is completely free for veteran entrepreneurs, including a complimentary lunch. There are no hidden fees or sales pitches. We’re committed to supporting the veteran business community.

Any veteran at any stage of the business journey:

  • · Veterans considering starting a business
  • · Recently launched veteran businesses (0-3 years)
  • · Growing veteran businesses seeking financing or certification
  • · Established businesses planning succession or exit
  • · Service-disabled veterans interested in SDVOSB benefits
  • · Military spouses who may qualify for veteran business programs
  • · Business partners of veteran entrepreneurs

Absolutely! This is the perfect time to attend. You’ll learn what to do (and what to avoid) before you launch, potentially saving yourself thousands of dollars and years of headaches.

Just yourself, your business questions, and business cards if you have them. We’ll provide lunch, materials, and resources. You may want to bring a notebook for taking notes.

Yes! In fact, you should definitely attend. We’ll teach you the certification process step-by-step. Many attendees come specifically to learn how to get certified.

 Typically 30-90 days after you submit a complete application. Our certification expert will explain how to avoid delays and get approved faster.

Possibly. Veterans must own at least 51% of the business unconditionally. For SDVOSB, the service-disabled veteran(s) must also control daily operations. We’ll cover the specific requirements at the summit.

Perfect—that’s a key focus of our panel discussion. You’ll learn how to transition ownership while potentially maintaining veteran business status, or how to maximize value knowing certification will end.

SBA programs have more flexibility than conventional loans, and our speakers will discuss credit requirements honestly. Many veterans successfully obtain financing despite credit challenges. Come learn your options.

SBA 7(a) loans go up to $5 million. Our speakers will explain different loan types, amounts, uses, and how veteran status improves your eligibility.

Yes. Even if you’re currently self-funded, understanding financing options helps you plan for growth, expansion, or eventual sale. Many businesses need capital eventually.

The presentation provides general legal education about business startup and exit strategies. For specific legal advice about your situation, you can schedule a consultation with Wright Lewis after the event.

Not necessarily. Wright Lewis will discuss when entity conversion makes sense and when it doesn’t. Many businesses successfully restructure.

You should definitely attend. Wright Lewis will cover the legal timeline for business sales (typically 6-18 months) and what you need to do now to prepare.

Parking garage, parking lot, and street parking are all available at the venue.

Yes, the venue is fully ADA accessible. If you have specific accessibility needs, please contact us at clientservices@dbllawyers.com.

We can accommodate most dietary restrictions and food allergies. Please indicate your needs on the registration form, and we’ll ensure appropriate options are available.

Sessions (including presentations and the panel discussion) will not be recorded, but presentation slides will be provided to all attendees after the event.

Yes! Business partners and spouses are welcome. However, priority registration goes to veterans if we reach capacity.

Please cancel your registration as soon as possible so we can offer your spot to another veteran entrepreneur. You can cancel by calling 800-747-9354 or emailing clientservices@dbllawyers.com.

Yes! We’ve built in networking time at the beginning and end. Speakers will be available for brief questions, and you can schedule longer consultations afterward.

Secure Your Spot Today - Free for Veterans

Learn How to Maximize Your Veteran Business Advantages from Startup to Exit

Register Now

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