Iraq Veterans: The New Wave of Entrepreneurs

Thursday August 02, 2007 - Gordon Sawyer writes:

"We've got an interesting thing going on in the business world right now ... a trend that drew a full article in the American Legion magazine, and has also drawn comment from some economists. It seems the veterans who have served in Iraq are a hot new wave of free-enterprise entrepreneurs. Economists had been guessing this trend for some time, but then the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration came up with numbers to verify it. It has been known for years that more veterans own small businesses than non-veterans in similar categories. Census data shows that 15% of veterans are small business owners, compared to 14% of non-veterans. But among the GI's coming home from Iraq, 22% plan to start or buy a business. The analysis by the Legion magazine sees this group of veterans as particularly strong in LEADERSHIP and INTEGRITY. They are willing to take a risk, and like veterans from other wars, they show a heightened work ethic -they are motivated, eager, and workaholics with type-A personalities. These are the same qualities that make veterans especially appealing to large corporations, where there is less personal risk. So why are these veterans becoming entrepreneurs at levels reminiscent of World War II vets? The Legion magazine article says this group of veterans is simply not cut out for the mundane. To quote: they like the risky and "... fast-paced lifestyle that becoming an entrepreneur offers." And guess where business growth is coming from in America right now. You've got it: the small business sector, that's where.

This is Gordon Sawyer, and may the wind always be at your back."

Related Information Read the Article at AccessNorthGA.com

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