HeroPreneur honors entrepreneurs who previously served in the military

The second annual HeroPreneur National Veteran Business Summit (NVBS) will be held from Nov. 14 to 16.

HeroPreneur NVBS is a multi-day experience that celebrates and empowers American Veterans. The event, which is being held at the Phoenix Convention Center, will host more than 2,000 veteran-owned businesses.

The event is hosted by the HeroZona Foundation – a non-profit organization that offers underserved students and veterans entrepreneurship, employment, and educational opportunities – and the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services in partnership with Nielsen, a global measurement and data analytics company; Bunker Labs, a national network of veteran entrepreneurs; VetFran, that provides access and opportunities in franchising to veterans and their spouses; the National Veteran Business Development Council and Minority Business News USA (MBNUSA).

According to HeroZona founder, Alan “AP” Powell, he started this event because when he returned after serving there was a lack of career opportunities for veterans.

“[It’s] basically creating a platform for veterans to have a one-stop-shop to make sure they have all the things they need to be successful in the marketplace,” AP said. “It’s not just a lack of opportunities, it’s the right opportunities. We want to make sure veterans have more careers because every veteran who gets out of the military, they don’t want to be a security guard, they don’t want to do criminal justice, veterans have a lot more skillsets, there’s so many more opportunities that can be created for veterans.”

According to HeroZona, “after serving in the U.S. military and protecting our great country, many veterans successfully transitioned the skills and values learned during their time in service into owning and operating their own businesses or enterprises. These Heroes, these HeroPreneurs, went from serving the country as a whole to serving, enriching, and adding tremendous value to the communities they returned home to.”

Focused on three pillars – entrepreneurship, employment, and education – the summit will allow those who attend to network, connect and learn and is open to students, start-up businesses, and large well-established companies.

HeroPreneur NVBS will have two Keynote Speakers:

Daymond John, CEO, The Shark Group.

John came from humble beginnings but turned himself into a multimillionaire with over $6 billion through global product sales. He has a starring role on ABC’s business reality TV show, Shark Tank.

He has more than twenty years of hand-on business experience. John will be sharing the strategies that have brought him financial success. John is a founder and CEO, who steered clothing brand FUBU from a concept to a global fashion powerhouse.

John will teach audience members how to apply his methods to a wide range of businesses. He will share tips for negotiating, boosting sales, improving employee morale, increasing productivity, and optimizing staff talent.

According to HeroZona, “As a motivational speaker, Daymond’s quintessential rags-to-riches success story of sacrifice, hard work, and perseverance as well as the unique and charismatic way he communicates it, will inspire any audience. Much more than a business advisor, Daymond shares his unique goal setting and achieving strategies, which will empower audience members to make positive changes in every aspect of their lives for immediate and long-term success. “The People’s Shark” Daymond John, will reveal how you too can live the American Dream.”

Justin Constantine, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)

Constantine joined the Marine Corps while he was studying law at the University of Denver School of Law, serving six years as an active duty JAG officer. In 2006, he was deployed to Iraq, serving as Civil Affairs Team Leader. While in combat, he was shot in the head by a sniper.

Although he was believed to be dead, he pulled through and earned the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon and Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Now he runs his own business as an inspirational speaker and veteran employment expert. He has written for The Washington Post, Time, CNN, The Atlantic, Forbes Magazine, and others, as well as, published multiple books. Constantine was also painted by President George W. Bush, and is included in his book Portraits of Courage.

“Anything I can do to help somebody who made the ultimate sacrifice to serve for their country, I want to make sure I serve them in any type of capacity,” AP said.

In addition to the keynote speakers, the three-day event will feature panels and programs that focus on important topics in the veteran community and will be moderated by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Wanda A. Wright, Director, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, U.S. Air Force Col. (Ret)

The U.S. Department of Labor will also be handing out certificates for their new HIRE Vets Medallion Program recognizing 300 companies who have hired a significant number of veterans. According to AP, five of those companies are Arizona based.

On Thursday, the conference will hold the HeroPreneur Awards Luncheon to celebrate and honor individuals and organizations that support the veteran community. It will be hosted by CNN Military Analyst James A. Marks, Major General, U.S. Army (Ret).

For the full agenda of the event click here.