About Boots to Business – The Entrepreneurship Pathway

Boots to Business (B2B) is an excellent resource for transitioning military members. This program is sponsored by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and curriculum was designed by the Whitman School of Management from Syracuse University (SU). B2B is an entrepreneurship training track offered to active duty military members and their partners/spouses separating from the service. The program is broken down into three tracks. The initial track that is part of the transitional assistance program required by the Department of Defense for separating military members and is taught by a variety of different instructors at locations across the country. The second track is an intensive 2-day entrepreneurial class taught by an SBA or SBA Resource partner representative that educates participants on business fundamentals and guides them through an initial analysis of business concepts. Finally, the third track, is called the Foundations of Entrepreneurship Course which is comprised of an 8 week online course and walks participants through the fundamentals of developing a business plan. The objective upon completion of the B2B program is to provide participants with the tools and knowledge they need to identify business opportunity, draft a business plan, and launch their enterprise.

Mike Sabellico, President of Vanguard Global Solutions and a business consultant with the Orange County Small Business Development Center (SBDC) specializing in government contracting and certifications, is volunteering his time to assist Camp Pendleton transitioning military members with their future entrepreneurial endeavors. He teaches the initial and second track of the B2B curriculum. In addition to consulting through the SBDC, Mike is a successful entrepreneur as President and CEO of Vanguard Global Solutions. Mike brings real life experience and solutions to his classroom when teaching the first two tracks of the program and is able to relate to the transition that the folks attending these classes are about to experience. Retired from the United States Coast Guard after 20 years of service, Mike has experienced the military to civilian life style and business transition firsthand and is able to provide insightful knowledge and experience to the boots to business participants.