CVBO January 2026 Zoom Meeting

Welcome to the CVBO January 2026 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.

🎯 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.

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

CVBO Updates & Announcements 

Membership Update:

• Membership at 281 from all over the Chicagoland Area
• Our 2026 membership goal is 500 members.

Veteran Business Directory Premium Listings

• Visit https://chicagolandveteranbusinessowners.org/business-directory
• Premium Listings will allow for multiple categories, placement at the top of category listings, and an SEO-optimized listing. Testing shows that Premium Listings receive 50% more clicks than regular listings. 
• Premium Listings cost only $10/month, and all proceeds will go to expanding CVBO programming and awareness.
• Please use the Premium Listing Signup Form: https://forms.gle/MEVgQFNVEcvuoQBw5. 

Veteran Business Directory Print Edition

• We’re putting together a printed Veteran Business Directory for distribution across Chicagoland at VA hospitals and clinics, VSOs, and VFW, American Legion, Navy League, Marine Corps League, and Veteran organization events.
• The first run will be for 1000 directory booklets.
• SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
  • Silver: bold & larger font – $10
  • Gold: Silver + logo – $25
  • Platinum: Gold + ⅛ page ad (limit 8) – $50
  • Back Inside Cover: ⅙ page ad (limit 4): $100 

2025 Highlights

• January 14th: First Monthly Zoom Meeting
• May 20th: IRS 501(c)3 approval
• June 8th: Website Launches
• July 24th: Business directory Launches
• October 12th: First In-person Meeting (TopGolf)
• Over 2,000 visitors to the website, generating over 4,500 page views, with over 1,000 Veteran Business Directory page views.

Programming Expansion

We’re 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. First webinar on January 29th at 7 PM CST. 
  • Register here: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/801OqzvVAFBjSrfkRKJi 
• 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 help you get to know each other, whether virtually or in person. 
• Please sign up for our new programs coming in 2026 here: https://forms.gle/jjqy3fsGudFhws7R7.

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 Featured Speaker: Paul Fletter

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulfletter/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/fletterconsulting 

https://www.fletterconsulting.com/ 

Paul is a Marine Corps Veteran and is the Founder and CEO of Fletter Consulting Group, where he helps organizations design and implement AI strategy, future-proof their business models, and unlock new revenue through innovation-focused consulting, training, and speaking. An experienced AI strategy and solutions architect, he advises corporate clients and expert networks as a subject matter expert, guiding R&D, product innovation, and market strategy decisions for the next five to twenty years.

Closing Remarks & Action Items

Next Meeting Date: February 10, 2026

Please invite Veteran business owners to join the CVBO, and encourage veterans to utilize the Veteran-Owned Business Directory to find and hire from Veteran-Owned businesses.