CVBO November 2025 Zoom Meeting

Welcome to the CVBO November 2025 Zoom Meeting

📌 Mission Statement:
The Chicagoland Veteran Business Owners Group (CVBO) supports veteran entrepreneurs and business owners in the Chicagoland area. Our mission is to provide mentorship, networking opportunities, educational resources, and advocacy to empower veterans in the business world. By fostering a strong community of veteran-owned enterprises, we aim to drive economic growth, create business opportunities, create more jobs for Veterans, and ensure long-term success for those who have served our country.

🎯 Purpose & Goals:

1. Professional Development – Offer mentorship, training, and business education programs tailored to veteran entrepreneurs.
2. Networking & Collaboration – Facilitate connections between veteran business owners, corporate partners, and industry leaders.
3. Advocacy & Awareness – Promote policies and initiatives that support veteran entrepreneurs in the Chicagoland area.
4. Community Engagement – Encourage collaboration and service among veteran-owned businesses and the broader community.

CVBO Updates & Announcements 

Membership Update:

• Membership at 275 from all over the Chicagoland Area
• Data from 2022 shows over 6,600 Veteran-owned employer businesses and over 27,000 non-employer businesses. The more Veteran entrepreneurs we get involved with the CVBO, the more connections, collaborators, business growth, and Veteran employees we can make happen.

CVBO Charity Topgolf Recap:

• 30 Participants
• $2200 raised
• 0 injuries
• Countless lost balls
• Lots of fun

Veteran Business Directory Launched

• Visit https://chicagolandveteranbusinessowners.org/business-directory
• Please review your listing and email Aaron Welch with changes and updates.

Programming Expansion

We’re working on expanding our programming offerings to reach and help more Veteran entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. Our ambitious plans include:

• • Warrior Webinars: Monthly webinars to educate and train Veterans to help launch and grow their businesses. If you haven’t already, please fill out our webinar topic survey here: https://forms.gle/XoauN1GZHHfCDry69.
  • CVBO Mentor Program: A series of 1:1 mentoring sessions designed to help Veteran entrepreneurs overcome the business challenges they are facing and steer clear of landmines that more-seasoned Veteran business owners have already come into contact with. If you’re interested in becoming a mentor, please email Aaron Welch. 
  • CVBO Circle: The CVBO Circle is a program that matches members with their Ideal Customer Profile and/or potential business collaborators. This will be a series of carefully curated warm introductions to get to know each other virtually or in person. 
  • In-Person Meetings: A mix of business breakfasts, lunch & learn, and happy hours designed to get us forging more meaningful connections and conversations.

How Members Can Get Involved

• We need volunteers for Board Members, Directors, Mentors, and Advisory roles
• Share Veteran or Business events, workshops, and conferences
• Join and participate in our private LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14555281

Today’s Topic: Using Your Veteran Advantage Through Storytelling 

Aaron Welch

USMC Veteran (‘95-99)

Business Owner ‘02-’09, ‘12-’14, ‘18-present

Lift Digital Marketing

New Member Intros (1 Minute Each MAX)

🔹 Each member gives a 1-minute introduction: who you are, when and where you served, and about your business.

🔹 Add your LinkedIn profile to the chat so that you can connect with other members. 

Resource Requests 

Is there any resource or support you need right now for you or your business? If someone in the meeting can’t help, and if we can’t provide it immediately, we promise to find it and get it to you as quickly as possible.

Closing Remarks & Action Items

Next Meeting Date: December 9th

Please invite Veteran business owners to join the CVBO, and invite Veterans to use the Veteran-Owned Business Directory to find and hire Veteran businesses.