How SBA Resources Help Veterans Build Sustainable Businesses
Like many service members, retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonels Pete and Monika Johncour understand that a successful transition to civilian life requires preparation—and that business ownership can offer both purpose and long-term stability. That’s why, after more than two decades of military service and numerous deployments, the Johncours began planning for their next mission long before retirement.
A lifelong dream come true for Peter, the Johncours purchased Timber Ridge Campground in 2021, a 17-acre property in Keystone, in the Black Hills of South Dakota near Mount Rushmore, while still on active duty, turning a shared vision into a family-run business.
Tip: To prepare for ownership, they turned to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for guidance, training and support.
Turning Military Experience into a Business Plan
Peter and Monika began their entrepreneurial journey through Boots to Business, an SBA program that introduces service members, veterans and military spouses to the fundamentals of business ownership. The course helped them build a foundation in business planning and financial management, translating military leadership experience into a viable business strategy. Monika said she learned to “view our business plan as a living document that we update/revisit regularly to assess progress and focus our next efforts.”
Across the country, veterans are doing the same—launching and growing businesses that combine discipline, adaptability and mission focus.
Tip: Use training designed for the military community. Programs like Boots to Business help bridge the gap between military experience and entrepreneurship.
Building a Support Network Through SBA Resource Partners
As Peter and Monika moved forward, they continued working with SBA resource partners to refine their operations and plan for long-term success. They reached out to Wendy Klug, the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Director for the VBOC of the Dakotas, who provided counseling and mentorship tailored to veteran-owned businesses, while the Small Business Development Center offered essential operational guidance.
The Johncours also worked with Michelle Kane from the South Dakota Center for Enterprise Opportunity (SD CEO), Women's Business Center (WBC), who provided coaching and counseling designed to address the unique challenges of owning a campground.
With more than 140 locations nationwide, WBCs offer business coaching, workshops, and financial guidance to women veterans and military spouses at every stage of business ownership.
Tip: Build a team of advisors. Combining support from VBOCs, WBCs, and SBDCs creates a stronger foundation as your business grows.
Continuing Education to Strengthen Skills
Education and mentorship play an ongoing role in helping women veterans build competitive businesses. SBA-supported programs provide structured training and peer networks that reinforce confidence while strengthening core entrepreneurial skills. In addition to Boots to Business, the SBA offers Entrepreneurship Training Programs that offer targeted instruction for early-stage and growing businesses, as well as ongoing business workshops through VBOCs and District Offices.
Tip: Check out sba.gov/veterans to find out more about Entrepreneurship Training Programs. Military spouses can also access the Military Spouse Pathway to Business course, available in person and online through the MySBA Learning platform.
Accessing Capital to Support Growth
With guidance from SBA resource partners, Monika and Peter secured an SBA 7(a) loan, which made the campground acquisition possible and supported its long-term sustainability.
SBA-backed loans help women veterans start, acquire, or expand businesses by improving access to capital and reducing lenders' risk.
Tip: Don’t navigate financing alone. SBA counselors can help prepare loan applications and connect you with lenders who understand veteran-owned businesses.
From Service to Sustained Success
Today, Peter and Monika Johncour are full-time business owners and have expanded their services. They operate a sustainable campground with three seasonal employees that offers standard and luxury RV sites, tent sites, air-conditioned cabins and a “snack shack.” Their successful transition from service to entrepreneurship earned recognition as the SBA 2024 South Dakota Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year and demonstrates what is possible when veterans leverage SBA training, counseling and capital. Underscoring the value of working with the SBA, she remarked, “If it wasn’t for the SBA resource programs and services, we would still be stuck trying to figure out how to buy the business.”
You don’t have to do it alone. SBA resources are designed to support veterans and military spouses at every stage—from idea to expansion.
Visit sba.gov/veterans and follow the SBA Office of Veterans Business Development on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.
Like many service members, retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonels Pete and Monika Johncour understand that a successful transition to civilian life requires preparation—and that business ownership can offer both purpose and long-term stability. That’s why, after more than two decades of military service and numerous deployments, the Johncours began planning for their next mission long before retirement.
A lifelong dream come true for Peter, the Johncours purchased Timber Ridge Campground in 2021, a 17-acre property in Keystone, in the Black Hills of South Dakota near Mount Rushmore, while still on active duty, turning a shared vision into a family-run business.
Tip: To prepare for ownership, they turned to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for guidance, training and support.
Turning Military Experience into a Business Plan
Peter and Monika began their entrepreneurial journey through Boots to Business, an SBA program that introduces service members, veterans and military spouses to the fundamentals of business ownership. The course helped them build a foundation in business planning and financial management, translating military leadership experience into a viable business strategy. Monika said she learned to “view our business plan as a living document that we update/revisit regularly to assess progress and focus our next efforts.”
Across the country, veterans are doing the same—launching and growing businesses that combine discipline, adaptability and mission focus.
Tip: Use training designed for the military community. Programs like Boots to Business help bridge the gap between military experience and entrepreneurship.
Building a Support Network Through SBA Resource Partners
As Peter and Monika moved forward, they continued working with SBA resource partners to refine their operations and plan for long-term success. They reached out to Wendy Klug, the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Director for the VBOC of the Dakotas, who provided counseling and mentorship tailored to veteran-owned businesses, while the Small Business Development Center offered essential operational guidance.
The Johncours also worked with Michelle Kane from the South Dakota Center for Enterprise Opportunity (SD CEO), Women's Business Center (WBC), who provided coaching and counseling designed to address the unique challenges of owning a campground.
With more than 140 locations nationwide, WBCs offer business coaching, workshops, and financial guidance to women veterans and military spouses at every stage of business ownership.
Tip: Build a team of advisors. Combining support from VBOCs, WBCs, and SBDCs creates a stronger foundation as your business grows.
Continuing Education to Strengthen Skills
Education and mentorship play an ongoing role in helping women veterans build competitive businesses. SBA-supported programs provide structured training and peer networks that reinforce confidence while strengthening core entrepreneurial skills. In addition to Boots to Business, the SBA offers Entrepreneurship Training Programs that offer targeted instruction for early-stage and growing businesses, as well as ongoing business workshops through VBOCs and District Offices.
Tip: Check out sba.gov/veterans to find out more about Entrepreneurship Training Programs. Military spouses can also access the Military Spouse Pathway to Business course, available in person and online through the MySBA Learning platform.
Accessing Capital to Support Growth
With guidance from SBA resource partners, Monika and Peter secured an SBA 7(a) loan, which made the campground acquisition possible and supported its long-term sustainability.
SBA-backed loans help women veterans start, acquire, or expand businesses by improving access to capital and reducing lenders' risk.
Tip: Don’t navigate financing alone. SBA counselors can help prepare loan applications and connect you with lenders who understand veteran-owned businesses.
From Service to Sustained Success
Today, Peter and Monika Johncour are full-time business owners and have expanded their services. They operate a sustainable campground with three seasonal employees that offers standard and luxury RV sites, tent sites, air-conditioned cabins and a “snack shack.” Their successful transition from service to entrepreneurship earned recognition as the SBA 2024 South Dakota Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year and demonstrates what is possible when veterans leverage SBA training, counseling and capital. Underscoring the value of working with the SBA, she remarked, “If it wasn’t for the SBA resource programs and services, we would still be stuck trying to figure out how to buy the business.”
You don’t have to do it alone. SBA resources are designed to support veterans and military spouses at every stage—from idea to expansion.
Visit sba.gov/veterans and follow the SBA Office of Veterans Business Development on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.