National EBV Consortium Helps Launch Career of Filmmaker/Veteran
Newswise — Brian Iglesias, 31, a combat decorated U.S. Marine, was a newlywed and a father-to-be when he returned home from his second tour of duty in Iraq in 2007. Designated as having a 'service-connected disability' by the Department of Defense, Iglesias struggled with finding work to support his family. He also harbored a persistent desire to start his own filmmaking company. At this same time, his mother-in-law came across information about the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV), and soon thereafter, an entrepreneur was born.
The EBV program helps post-9/11 veterans with disabilities launch their own businesses. Iglesias enrolled in the EBV program at the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University in July 2008. After graduating from the EBV, Iglesias landed a job as a creative producer with a television production company in Manhattan, courtesy of a Syracuse University alumnus and EBV supporter. Since then, Iglesias has launched Veterans Inc., a filmmaking production company staffed with veterans. They recently wrapped a horror movie, on which they were producers. They've also begun work on a documentary about the Chosin Reservoir Campaign, a battle during the Korean War.
In addition to Syracuse University, the EBV consortium includes UCLA Anderson School of Management, Florida State University's College of Business, Mays Business School at Texas A&M, and Krannert School of Management at Purdue University. The 15-month EBV program brings together veterans like Iglesias with the nation's leading business academics, entrepreneurs, and Fortune 500 CEOs, all in an effort to jump-start business- ownership opportunities for post-9/11 veterans. The entire program is without cost to the veteran, funded by private gifts.
"The EBV program was a great resource," says Iglesias. "Now that I have started my own business, I frequently reference my course materials. The program particularly helped with marketing and monetizing as many additional revenue sources as possible."
"The EBV program has taught me to find and seize new opportunities, regardless of the economic climate, for there is always a customer in need," continues Iglesias. "Through resource leverage and creative funding, we have managed to weather the current economic storm so far. Between television and films, we have a full plate for 2009 and are beginning to plan for 2010."
Applications for the 2009 EBV program are being accepted. Participants are assigned to an EBV campus once admitted to the program, based on the closest EBV school to their home.
For more information or to apply, visit http://www.whitman.syr.edu/ebv/ or contact Ellie O'Neill, EBV program coordinator, at (315) 443-6007 or ebvinfo@syr.edu.
