Last week, Fort Knox Federal Credit Union and the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted the third annual Operation Veteran 2 Entrepreneur workshop. The half-day event was held at the Credit Union’s Main Branch office in Radcliff and was developed to help Fort Knox area veterans cultivate their entrepreneurial skills as they leave military service.
Alejandro Ramirez, Owner & Founder of Universal Spartan, LLC, the 2018 Kentucky Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year, attended this year’s event to share some of his insights. After retiring in 2013 as a U.S. Army combat officer with 22 years of military service, he connected with the Elizabethtown SBDC and participated in the SBA “Boots to Business” program. Mr. Ramirez also recently founded the Kentucky Veteran Business Alliance.
“Fort Knox Federal is committed to improving our members’ financial lives and providing for the unique financial needs of military members,” said Fort Knox Federal President and CEO, Ray Springsteen. “We’re proud to support the needs of those transitioning from active duty service through this ongoing partnership with SBDC.”
The free workshop provided mission critical information to help veterans build and grow their small businesses. This year’s event allowed participants to network and learn from successful Veteran small business owners, meet with valuable small business resource partners and gain management best practices for their businesses. This year's featured speakers included Cooperative Business Services (CBS), credit union financial experts, and a virtual presentation from Honor Courage Commitment, Inc.
More information about the business services available to credit union members may be found online at www.fortknoxfcu.org.