October 2025 CVBO Monthly Zoom Meeting

1. Welcome & Introductions 

Welcome to the October 2025 CVBO Monthly 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, 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.

2. CVBO Updates & Announcements 

📢 Latest CVBO News – 

• CVBO will be sending out recordings and recaps from the October 2025 CVBO Monthly Zoom Meeting. No need to have a note-taking AI sending recaps to everyone in the group.
• Our Veteran Business Directory is live! Please review your information and email aaron@chicagolandveteranbusinessowners.org with updates and a company logo.

📅 Upcoming Initiatives 

• We’re teaming up with the Veteran Business Project to support its mission of creating veteran-owned businesses in all 50 Chicago wards, starting with pilot programs in the 6th and 36th Wards. Please read more about it here: https://veteranbusinessproject.org/a-veteran-owned-business-in-every-chicago-ward/ 
• We’re looking to partner with VFW and American Legion Posts to host monthly Business Musters, Powered by the CVBO. We also need Ambassadors to host these casual business networking events. Email aaron@chicagolandveteranbusinessowners.org for more details!

🎯 How Members Can Get Involved

• We need volunteers for the Director of Events, Development Director, Public Relations, and Advisory roles
• Help with Veteran and Business Resources for our Knowledge Base
• Sharing any contacts that may help the group
• Sharing Veteran or Business events, workshops, conferences
• Please contact me at aaron@chicagolandveteranbusinessowners.org

3. 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. 

🔹 Add any collaboration or recommendation requests in the chat

4. 5ish-Minute Boot Camp: Introductions

🎤 Guest Speaker: 

5. Collaboration Opportunities 

🤝 Collaboration Callouts – Any members looking for partnerships, referrals, or specific expertise?

6. Closing Remarks & Action Items (5 Minutes)

✅ Next Meeting Date: Veteran’s Day, November 11th, 2025, @11:00 AM
📩 Follow-Up Actions:

• Please review your information for the CVBO Business Directory and email aaron@chicagolandveteranbusinessowners.org with updates and a company logo: CVBO Directory Listings
• Guest Speaker signup: https://forms.gle/Ajn4GeCj5KfJShm56