Utah Veteran Business Resource Center at SLCC Launches the "Year of the Veteran Entrepreneur" with Kick-off Event

The Utah Veteran Business Resource Center (VBRC) at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) has declared 2025 the “Year of the Veteran Entrepreneur” to celebrate the veteran entrepreneurial spirit. To launch this milestone year, the VBRC will bring together dozens of veterans to share their success stories and learn from each other on January 17 at The Mill Entrepreneurship Center at SLCC’s Miller Campus in Sandy.

“Bringing veterans together who are in all different stages of owning or starting a business provides them with the camaraderie that they experienced while in the military. They really connect and want to see each other succeed,” said Becky Guertler, VBRC Manager. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are nearly 19,000 veteran-owned businesses in Utah, and the VBRC has worked with about 2,300 since its founding in 2017. “Utah’s veteran business community is poised for unprecedented growth, and we’re excited to support them and recognize their contribution,” added Guertler.

Ten veteran-owned business owners and entrepreneurs will present at the Jan. 17 “Year of the Veteran Entrepreneur” launch event. Businesses will range from food trucks to HVAC and digital marketing to innovative product businesses.

The following veteran entrepreneurs will be available for interviews at the event:

· Jerik Erskine, Veteran, Army, Owner of Alpine Home Services, HVAC, electrical and plumbing.

· Donyale West, Veteran, Navy, 21West Productions, video production and digital marketing.

· Michael Donnell, Veteran, Navy, Measure Once Cut Once, innovative digital tape measure.

The Center helps veteran-owned businesses in all stages, from evaluating the viability of a new business idea to starting one, scaling, and steering them toward helpful resources.

Event Details:

What: “Year of the Veteran Entrepreneur” launch event
When: Friday, January 17, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Presentations: 11:55 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Interview availability: pre- and post-presentations.

Where: The Mill Entrepreneurship Center, Rm 101, SLCC’s Miller Campus (9690 So. 300 W.)
Park on Northside of building.

“This is an invaluable opportunity for our veterans to network, share experiences, and support one another on our business journeys,” said veteran Donyale West, owner of 21West Productions. “The VBRC provides support and space to celebrate our successes, navigate challenges, gain insight into resources, and camaraderie around balancing military service, family, and entrepreneurship. We discover we are not alone on our entrepreneurial paths.”

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Media Contact, Salt Lake Community College:

Peta Owens-Liston, peta.liston@slcc.edu, 801-957-5099

VBRC Contact, Utah Veteran Business Resource Center:

Becky Guertler, bguertl1@slcc.edu, 801-957-3670

About The Utah Veteran Business Resource Center (VBRC)

The VBRC is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping veterans start and grow their businesses. The center provides a variety of resources, including training, counseling, and mentorship. The VBRC is a partnership between the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (UDVMA) and Salt Lake Community College (SLCC). Learn more at utahvbrc.org

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