Veteran Business Startup
For Veterans, service members and military families who want to start a business, and want the numbers, registrations and books right from day one.
The Six Phases
One advisor from start to finish, a written deliverable at the end of every phase, and nothing launches until the numbers work.
Intake & readiness
Your goals, business concept, experience, resources, licensing needs and any accommodations you need.
You get: a Readiness Assessment and agreed next steps · Days 0–10
Feasibility
Market demand, competition, pricing, startup costs, revenue model, break-even, cash flow and risks. We test the idea against numbers before you commit.
You get: a Feasibility Report recommending proceed, revise or reconsider · typically 1–3 weeks
Business plan & projections
Operations, marketing and management plans, and a three-year financial model with stated assumptions, written to the standard lenders expect.
You get: a Business Plan, Projections and an Equipment & Resource List · typically 2–4 weeks
Formation & setup
Entity formation, EIN, state tax and payroll registrations, permits, banking, and QuickBooks Online with a chart of accounts built for your business. Payroll setup if you’ll have employees.
You get: a Formation Package, Setup Checklist and Compliance Calendar
Financial literacy coaching
Usually 4–6 sessions: reading financial statements, pricing and margins, cash flow, invoicing and collections, estimated taxes, and keeping business and personal money separate.
You get: a Coaching Log and your own Financial Dashboard
Launch & follow-up
First invoices, first payroll and first tax deposits, then monthly check-ins and a quarterly financial review against your plan.
You get: Monthly Status Notes and Quarterly Reviews
How We Work
One advisor, start to finish
The same advisor from intake through follow-up, with a named backup.
Free resources first
We connect you to SBA Veterans Business Outreach Centers, SCORE, Small Business Development Centers and Boots to Business, so your budget pays for one-on-one work.
Accommodations built in
Session length, pace, format and scheduling adjusted to you, and written down from day one.
English & Español
Advising and materials in English or Spanish, by video, phone or in person in Novi (Metro Detroit), Chicago and San Diego.
Two-person review
Every feasibility report, business plan and projection gets a second-person review before you see it.
Branding & website
Logos, websites and online storefronts through our affiliate, Logo Grove.
Resources
Free startup guides for Veterans
Track the six phases, work out your startup costs and break-even, and find the free programs built for Veteran entrepreneurs.
See all resources
Common Questions
Do I have to be in a VA program to work with you?
No. We work with any Veteran or military family member starting a business, whether you pay privately, use a grant or loan, or are in a program that allows outside providers.
I’m in the VA Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) Self-Employment Track. Can you help?
Ask your VR&E counselor whether outside providers can be used in your case. Program decisions and approvals stay with VA. Mac Neal LLC is an independent firm and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
What does it cost?
After a free intro call, we send a written scope with a fixed price for the phases you need. Filing fees, licenses, software and other third-party costs are listed separately before anything is spent.
Do you give legal advice?
No. For legal questions we refer you to a licensed attorney, and formal IRS representation is handled through a CPA, enrolled agent or attorney.
Related Services & Resources
Mac Neal LLC is an independent firm and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the U.S. Small Business Administration.