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SC Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC)

As of 1 May 2023, the Veteran Transformational Learning Initiative (VTLI) hosts the South Carolina Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC).

VBOC is designed as a one-stop-shop for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses looking to start, purchase, or grow a business. Responsible for the Boots to Business, Reboot, business development assistance, training, counseling, mentoring, and resource referrals across South Carolina, the VTLI looks forward to assisting military-affiliated personnel in unlocking their entrepreneurial potential.

Registration Required: Prior to providing business counseling, the U.S. Small Business Administration required all clients to register with VBOC and complete the Request for Counseling Form. This form serves as the Confidentiality and Code of Conduct agreement. All client information is held in strict confidence. This request for business counseling is Free and Confidential.

The SC VBOC, in celebration of the SBA’s Veteran Small Business Week, invites you to the below events provided by the SC VBOC and our SBA Resource Partners.   Please click any of the below links, or see the attached flyer, to register and see further information:    

  • 28 Oct 2023 – B2B Reboot In-Person at The Citadel This is an In-Person offering of our Boots-2-Business program on entrepreneurship offered at The Citadel’s Bastin Hall, Room 303 from 8am – 4pm. Lunch will be provided by Pinnacle Bank.  
  • 31 Oct 2023 – B2B Reboot In-person Columbia, SC This is an In-Person offering of our Boots-2-Business program on entrepreneurship offered at The USC/Columbia Technology Incubator from 9am – 4pm. Lunch will be provided.  
  • 31 Oct 2023 – Export 101 Webinar, via Zoom 13-1400 (EST) This webinar is provided by The Citadel’s Veteran’s Transformational Learning Initiative (VTLI) and the SC VBOC. This webinar will introduce you to the basics of Exporting goods and services.  
  • 1 Nov 2023 – VetCert Webinar, with Debbie Petitpain, via Zoom (1 – 1:30pm EST) This webinar is provided by The SC VBOC. This webinar will introduce you to the requirement for and the process of registering your business as a Veteran Owned Small Business.
  • 2 Nov 2023 – B2B Reboot In-Person Greenville This is an In-Person offering of our Boots-2-Business program on entrepreneurship offered at The Upstate Warriors Solution in Greenville, SC from 8:30am – 4:30pm. Lunch will be provided by Pinnacle Bank.    
  • 2 Nov 2023 Lenders Match In-Person Event, Columbia, SC at Columbia Library (SBA Event).  
  • 3 Nov 2023 – Franchising Webinar Featuring Vetrepreneur, via Zoom, (2 – 3pm) This is a free webinar featuring Vetrepreneur, whose franchise coaches are perfectly positioned to help make your dreams a reality.

Boots to Business (B2B) classes Schedule (face-to-face)

  • Check availability at your local military installation (Search HERE for Fort Jackson, JB Charleston AFB, Shaw AFB, MCRD Paris Island, NWS, JB Charleston Weapon Station) – base access is required.

Boots to Business Reboot (B2B Reboot) classes (off installation) in SC

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VBOC Contacts

CJ. Williams, Director of SC VBOC
Bastin Hall 328
cwilli55@citadel.edu
(0) 843-953-5867

Deborah Remsen, Business Advisor/Instructor (Columbia Area/Virtual SC VBOC Location)
Bastin Hall 328
dremsen@citadel.edu
(c) 843-408-7931

David Desplaces, Director of VTLI/Instructional Designer/Business Advisor
Bastin Hall 319
ddesplac@citadel.edu
(o) 843-953-2717

Debra Petitpain, Business Advisor/Instructor (Charleston Area/Lowcountry)
Bastin Hall 326 dpetitpa@citadel.edu
(o) 843-953-8563

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.