The National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC), in partnership with the Diverse Supplier Development Corporation (DSDC), recently hosted Marketing 101: Building the Foundation for Business Growth, a practical and impactful session designed to help veteran-owned businesses strengthen their market presence and position themselves for long-term success.
The conversation made one thing clear: marketing is not a one-time effort, it is a continuous discipline that directly impacts growth, visibility, and opportunity.
Led by industry experts Mark Hollingshead and Paul Mara, the session focused on simplifying marketing into actionable fundamentals. At the center of the discussion was the concept of the “5 P’s of Marketing”, Product, Price, Place, Promotion, and People, reinforcing that successful businesses don’t just sell services—they deliver value through clarity, positioning, and consistency.
But beyond frameworks, the session emphasized a more critical shift: how buyers behave today.
In today’s environment, your first impression is almost always digital. Whether it’s your website, your LinkedIn profile, or your email outreach, your brand is being evaluated before a conversation ever begins. Businesses that win are the ones that present a clear message, demonstrate credibility, and make it easy for customers to understand exactly what they do and why it matters.
The discussion reinforced that your website must act as your “home base”, clearly communicating who you serve, the problems you solve, and how to take the next step. At the same time, social media builds familiarity and trust, while email marketing ensures you remain top-of-mind in a competitive marketplace.
Another key takeaway was the importance of measurement. Marketing without tracking performance is guesswork. Businesses were encouraged to monitor website traffic, engagement, inquiries, and conversations, using real data to refine strategy and improve outcomes.
What made this session especially impactful was the level of participation. The audience was highly engaged, asking thoughtful and practical questions throughout the webinar, all of which were addressed in real time by Paul Mara and Mark Hollingshead. This level of interaction reinforced the demand for clear, actionable marketing guidance within the veteran business community.
For those who were unable to attend, a recording of the webinar is now available, ensuring that every veteran business owner has access to these foundational insights and can apply them at their own pace.
Ultimately, this session wasn’t about theory, it was about execution. It was about helping veteran-owned businesses move from uncertainty to clarity, and from activity to results.
And this is just the beginning.
NVBDC’s upcoming sessions are part of a broader Digital Readiness Initiative, a strategic effort designed to equip veteran-owned businesses with the tools, knowledge, and capabilities needed to scale in today’s marketplace.
From digital marketing and brand positioning to global exporting strategies and the integration of artificial intelligence, NVBDC continues to deliver real, actionable value to its community.
Upcoming webinars include:
- Private Sector Capability Statements: Best Practices
April 22 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (ET) - LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram Profiles
May 13 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (ET) - Creating a Website Funnel Page
June 11 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (ET)
Each session is designed to move veteran-owned businesses closer to being procurement-ready, market-aligned, and positioned for growth within the corporate marketplace.
Marketing is not about doing more, it’s about doing the right things, consistently.
For veteran-owned businesses, the value of being part of the NVBDC community extends far beyond certification. It’s about access, to education, to opportunity, and to a network committed to your success.
We look forward to seeing you at the next webinar as we continue building together, equipping veteran-owned businesses to compete, scale, and lead in today’s marketplace.
Missed it? The recording is now available.
