Supporting Veteran Entrepreneurs
An Interview with Brent Peacock of Gulf Coast State College’s Florida Veterans Business Outreach Center
Brent Peacock, Director of Gulf Coast State College’s Florida Veterans Business Outreach Center (FL VBOC), recently sat down for an informative interview about the services his organization provides to veterans and their families.
The FL VBOC, honored as the VBOC of the Year in 2014 and 2019, is one of 28 Veterans Business Outreach Centers funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) nationwide. Gulf Coast State College has owned the FL VBOC grant since 2013. The college was a sub-grantee when VBOC was previously managed by the University of West Florida.
The center provides no-cost training, counseling, and assistance to veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reservists, and military spouses who want to start or grow their own businesses in Florida.
“We help strengthen our client’s businesses by providing education and resources, with the understanding that military service has set up veterans to be fine entrepreneurs,” Peacock explained.
Some key services highlighted in the interview include:
– Boots to Business Training: A two-day class taught on military bases covering business fundamentals. The FL VBOC teaches 40–60 classes per year across 15 bases in Florida.
– One-on-One Counseling: Helping veterans develop business plans, connect with funding sources, and provide individualized support
– Referrals to local resources: Connecting veterans with CPAs, bankers, realtors, and other professionals in their communities
– Specialized support: Assistance with government contracting readiness, and helping women veterans overcome unique challenges.
– Business plan review Providing feedback and guidance on veterans’ business plans
– Market research: Helping veterans evaluate and understand their target market
– Business lending guidance: Preparing veterans to successfully apply for financing
Peacock emphasized that a major obstacle for many veterans is the need to slow down and carefully plan out their business ideas. “Starting a business is a long process. It takes months, if not years,” he said. “We try to get them to slow down, think about it, and re-assess.”
Some success stories highlighted include:
– Rolf Vonderheide, Army National Guard veteran, who opened Passport Sweets candy store in St. Augustine after receiving help with his business plan and financing.
– Jennifer Clarke, an Air Force veteran, published a memoir called “166 Days” recounting her deployment and later started a wellness business called Back to Center Wellness.
– Randall Shepard, Navy veteran and engineer, who launched a cargo tracking technology company called RSAE Labs. The FL VBOC assisted with proof of concept and disaster funding during COVID-19.
In addition to Peacock, the center employs a diverse team to provide well-rounded support, including other veterans like Associate Director Keith Roberts, professionals with backgrounds in SBA lending and government contracting, and specialists focused on key services like Boots to Business training. Jack Benggio coordinates all of our Boots to Business training workshops covering 15 Florida military installations; from Whiting Field in Milton to Naval Air Station Key West.
When asked about plans for the future, Peacock expressed excitement about a new military spouse entrepreneurship initiative being launched nationwide. He explained that starting a portable business is often ideal for spouses who frequently relocate from duty station to duty station.
When asked about plans for the future, Peacock expressed excitement about a new military spouse entrepreneurship initiative being launched nationwide. He explained that starting a portable business is often ideal for spouses who frequently relocate from duty station to duty station.
Overall, Peacock emphasized the natural skills and work ethic that make veterans well-suited for business ownership. “Veterans make good business owners,” he stated. “It’s a source of pride, and it takes that leadership and those skills that were developed during the military and protecting our economy to the next level of growing the economy that they helped to protect.”
Veterans and military spouses interested in exploring business ownership can reach out to the FL VBOC for free assistance and guidance. Even just to talk through ideas, the friendly staff is glad to help.
For more information, contact:
Brent Peacock
Veterans Business Outreach Center at Gulf Coast State College
Student Union West, Rooms 326–330
5230 W Hwy 98
Panama City, FL 32401
800-542-7232,
Angela Small
Radio Production Assistant
