Pathway to Assist Veteran Entrepreneurs, or PAVE, is a partnership of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, Louisiana Economic Development, the Louisiana National Guard and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center Network.

Veteran Joseph Brown and his wife started their family farm with just a few piglets, as a therapeutic outlet as he transitioned back to civilian life. Starting with just a few piglets, the SBDC helped him get his business organized and expand into other products such as poultry. When the COVID-19 pandemic put a national gridlock on meat processing, Long Shot Revival Homestead was ready to serve. This focus kept their farm booming despite the pandemic.

Derrell Lee and John Pace, U.S. military veterans with a passion for healthy living and fitness, worked with the SBDC on their business idea, the first vegan mass gainer on the market. They received expert counseling, as well as assistance developing their marketing strategy, accurate financial projections, forming a proper loan package and a well-developed pitch for the business. After receiving a $100K SBA loan, the pair launched their product to great success.

When veteran and small business owner Gregg Masters took over Golden Choice Inc, he tapped into Michigan SBDC's CARES-Act program to re-brand the business, design a logo, and receive free consulting as his business continues to navigate through COVID-19.

Tony Walters, US Army Veteran, came to the SBDC in January of 2020 for business planning and assistance in buying an existing business... Key City Electric. He met with his consultant to determine feasibility and valuation for the business and then assemble the financial projections to obtain the necessary financing. He's now in business and making sales. He continues to consult with the SBDC and mentor with the previous owner.