Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - At first glance, it seems like the worst time to start up a new business. But for veterans, not only are loans available, but so is the technical help needed to launch or expand a business.
The Small Business Administration is taking registrations for a special vets conference next week. One Syracuse business that already went down this road, with a lot of success:
During his years in the army, Tony Baird specialized in electronics. He brought that same expertise to his company. Tony Baird Electronics provides components and quality assurance testing for military and commercial contracts.
One project, the so-called "crew" technology, jams the radio signals intended to set off roadside bombs. “The project is saving lives by jamming signals that would otherwise be going in and detonating bombs by the insurgents,” Baird said.
He takes pride in the work, and in the business he founded four years ago with the help of the
Small Business Administration. “I was able to look at the Small Business Administration and look at them as a possible venue to do something for the community. That's what the
SBA is all about. They're about helping small businesses.”
For most of those four years, Tony's business has grown at the Syracuse Technology Garden in downtown Syracuse.
What he's done, Tony says other veterans can do, too. “One thing that I would tell them is to find people like me who have gone through it,” said Baird. ”I don't consider myself an expert as far as business overall is concerned. But, I have been through a lot of things over the last 4 years, that helped me understand how to deal with business, and in particular, government contracts.”
The former coach and teacher has won his share of awards in the business world. Tony says he's eager to share what he's learned with other veterans who dream of starting their own business.
Tony and many others will share their experience with other vets the "Operation: Start Up and Grow" conference next week.
It's a free conference for the military community next Thursday, March 19th. It starts at 8:30 in the morning at OCC's Gordon Student Center.
To learn more, give the
Small Business Administration a call at 471-9393 extension 244.
