Courtesy Photo | Mike Infanzon, a veteran of the Marine Corps and current owner of Monkey Butt Garage,...... read more read more
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PHOENIX - Employment is the number one concern for returning veterans according to the Center for Research and Public Policy. Many veterans are turning to small-business ownership because they can apply skills acquired in the military to the civilian world to become entrepreneurs.
In 2014, U.S. veterans owned more than 2.4 million small businesses.
Mike Infanzon is one of those veterans. A veteran of the Marine Corps and current owner of Monkey Butt Garage, Infanzon’s company specializes in makeovers, restorations and routine maintenance of motorcycles
“The values I learned in the Marine Corp are the same values that has helped me be successful in business,” Infanzon said. “Military life teaches you to never give up because the mission comes first. In small business, the mission is customer service, so you always put the customer first.”
The first step for veterans interested in owning their own business is to contact the Small Business Administration, which offers support to U.S. veterans starting businesses. The SBA can assist in creating a business plan, finding initial customers, hiring employees and estimating costs.
There are many resources for servicemembers and veterans interested in launching and growing a business, said James Pipper, a veteran business development officer with SBA.
"Veterans not only make good citizens, but they also make great business owners and then turn around and hire other veterans," Pipper said.
The SBA also helps Veterans apply for loans and have their expenses met should they be deployed to active duty. This is especially important for reserve and National Guard Soldiers.
"We want military veterans to benefit from the freedom that owning and operating a business affords," Pipper said.
Infanzon worked a traditional job as he saved money and slowly started his side business until one day he was able to be his own boss full-time.
“The best part of being self employed is being able to help other veterans,” Infanzon said. “I take pride in making sure service members can have transpiration to get to work. Owning my own business has given me the flexibility to provide a service to the community.
Mike Infanzon, a veteran of the Marine Corps and current owner of Monkey Butt Garage, works in his garage which specializes in makeovers, restorations and routine maintenance of motorcycles. Infanzon is one of the more than 2.4 million U.S. veterans owned small businesses.
| Date Taken: | 03.01.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 03.22.2016 20:02 |
| Story ID: | 193192 |
| Location: | GILBERT, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 243 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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