About Veterans Business Base
All you need is an idea and the drive to work hard to develop it
What we do
Let us introduce ourselves
- We use our commercial experience and ever-expanding network of professional contacts to guide and support veterans who are exploring the world of self-employment and business start-ups for the first time.
- We establish trust and confidence by engaging with veterans directly either by phone or, where possible, by travelling throughout the country to meet them face-face in locations where they feel most comfortable.
- We listen to all business start-up ideas with respect and provide hard-headed, informed, practical and sympathetic advice on their viability and the optimal route to market.
- We are highly accessible and agile. We always respond to enquiries within an hour of being approached, seven days a week. We do not tick boxes or watch the clock.
- We always follow up the first meeting or telephone call with a veteran with a one-page letter or email summarising the bones of their idea and how best to proceed. Encouraging veterans to believe in themselves and creating the confidence to take the first steps is as important as the idea itself.
- We offer patience and long-term, sustained commitment to helping veterans navigate challenges such as dealing with HMRC or negotiating commercial leases. During the weeks and months following initial contact, we typically spend 10 to 15 hours per month visiting and communicating with a veteran. In some cases, this can result in 50 hours or more of contact over a period of months, sometimes involving late-night phone calls of two to three hours.
Why us
How it all came to be…
Since its establishment in 2009, Malcolm and Bridget Jones have been the sole operators of VBB, funding its activities out of their own pocket and committing many thousands of hours to develop a scalable delivery model which now has a proven track record of improving the life chances of veterans in England and Wales.
We are always open to new ideas or suggestions on how to improve the VBB proposition and will work with anyone who shares our commitment to veteran welfare.
Fergus Williams of Walking With the Wounded, said recently:
“ Veterans Business Base is an essential service for veterans looking to start their own businesses”.
40
Years of business startup experience
5
Team Members
400+
Veterans assisted
30
Veteran advisors by 2027
How we help
Ongoing support
All businesses take time to Start-Up and when up and running, require ongoing support – we are there to support you long-term. We advise on:
- Business Structure
- HM Revenue & Customs and Companies House
- Marketing, costings and simple research
- Financial requirements such as bank accounts and insurance.
- Compliance and Regulations
- Funding your business (we do not encourage you to borrow money!)
What you need
How to get your new business up and running
- An idea for a service or product for which you believe there is a demand
- Write it down! No need to produce long, wordy business plans, just write down your ideas for your business on one sheet of paper
- The drive to work hard to develop your idea
- Curiosity! Don’t waste time or try to ‘reinvent the wheel’, can your idea improve an existing product or service? Speak to other business owners etc
- A belief in yourself and your idea!
The benefits
There are many benefits to owning your own business
- Becoming financially independent
- Achieving your ambitions
- Building confidence by using the skills and experience acquired through your life
- Playing an active role in your community
- Businesses can be a force for good, providing employment and financial stability for others as well
