The Evolution of VETSACTS to MVACTS

MVACTS is more than just a business opportunity; it's a mission to empower and support military and veteran entrepreneurs.

Gary W. Birmingham

When I first came up with the idea for VETSACTS (Veterans' Arts, Crafts, Trades, and Services), I focused on helping homeless veterans. I wanted to provide them with the resources, training, and support they needed to start and grow their own businesses in the fields of arts and crafts.

However, as the program grew, I realized that it was important to include military members as well. Both veterans and military members have unique skills, experiences, and challenges that can be harnessed through entrepreneurship in the fields of arts, crafts, trades, and services.

That's why I decided to expand the program and rebrand it as MVACTS (Military and Veterans' Arts, Crafts, Trades, and Services). This name change reflects the program's expanded focus on both military members and veterans and its mission to empower and support all military and veteran entrepreneurs.

In terms of the distinction between arts and crafts, arts typically refer to the creation of visual works, such as painting, sculpture, and drawing, that are primarily created for aesthetic or expressive purposes. They are often considered to be fine arts and are typically produced by trained artists.

Crafts, on the other hand, refers to the creation of functional or decorative objects, such as pottery, textiles, and jewelry, that are typically produced by skilled artisans. Crafts often have a utilitarian purpose and can be made by hand or machine.

As for the difference between a trading business and a service business, a trading business is a type of business that buys and sells goods, whereas a service business is a type of business that provides services to customers.

The acts in VETSACTS and MVACTS are also a play on words. Not only does it stand for arts, crafts, trades, and services, it also stands for the word acts itself. Meaning the actions of the military and veterans. The name is a reminder of the important role that military and veterans play in our society and the contributions that they make through their businesses and their everyday actions.

It is also worth noting that MVACTS is a hands-up project, enabling military and veterans to help each other succeed. By working together on MVACTS, everyone benefits. The program is designed to foster a sense of community and collaboration among military and veterans, creating opportunities for them to share their skills and experience and to support one another in their business endeavors.

Also, consumers can buy from military and veteran businesses nationally or locally. MVACTS provides a platform for military and veterans to connect and sell their products and services to customers, whether they're looking to buy locally or from a business located in other parts of the country. This allows consumers to support military and veteran entrepreneurs while also finding the products and services they need.

The program's mission is to connect, support and market military and veteran entrepreneurs, provide a network for the cottage industry made of veterans, military, and their family members, connecting sellers to buyers. The name change from VETSACTS to MVACTS reflects the program's expanded focus on both military members and veterans and its mission to empower and support all military and veteran entrepreneurs. The program can help veterans and military members to overcome the challenges of transitioning to civilian life and find purpose, hope, and joy through entrepreneurship.

In conclusion, MVACTS (Military and Veterans Arts, Crafts, Trades, and Services) is an initiative that aims to empower military and veterans by providing them with the resources, training, and support they need to start and grow their own businesses in the field of arts, crafts, trades, and services.