Individuals interested in starting their own business and looking to learn more about the resources and tools that can help a business succeed are invited to the Fort Bragg and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Entrepreneurship Essentials workshop on Nov. 7.
The event will take place at the Soldier and Family Readiness Group Center on Fort Bragg. The event will begin at 10 a.m. with a resource and networking fair, followed by a panel discussion with a question and answer session. Topics of discussion will include business planning, protecting brand and ideas, marketing, and financing.
The workshop features six panelists who are highly regarded experts in business development and intellectual property protection, as well as successful military spouse entrepreneurs. Experts will also be available after the event for more networking and one-on-one discussions.
Kathi Vidal, one of the workshop panelists, is the nation’s top executive in intellectual property and will provide important information to military spouses and other interested military personnel on how to strengthen their businesses by safeguarding the associated trademarks, patents, and copyrights.
“Some of our brightest, most dedicated and most creative Americans are currently serving in the military, are part of military Families, or are veterans,” said Vidal in a press release. “We want to make sure all of them have access to the innovation ecosystem and the important intellectual property protection that can help them launch businesses and scale their ideas. This is about opportunity as well as further serving the country by creating jobs and fostering economic prosperity.”
“Many within our military spouse community have taken the next step in their careers by becoming small or home-based business owners,” said Army Community Service Employment Readiness Program Manager Melanie Tucker in a press release. “It’s an exciting venture that opens a lot of new doors for our spouses, but we want to make sure they start or continue their business journeys using the best practices possible to protect all their hard work and assets.”
All Department of Defense ID cardholders are invited to attend.
The panel discussion will be broadcast live from the venue via the main Fort Bragg ACS Facebook page @FortBraggACS for anyone unable to attend.
Brian and Staci Graybill opened their third business together, Market Square Pantry, in December 2025. Photo provided by Faith Hatton. For Fayetteville entrepreneurs Brian and Staci Graybill, building a business has often started when they were
The venue features two levels, two fully stocked bars, audio-video systems including projectors, and lighting solutions, an in-house culinary team, lounge space, a bistro section and private rooms, a state-of-the-art DJ booth and on-site staff to hel
Brad and Kelley McLawhorn became business partners in 2001 when they first opened a restaurant on Reilly Road. Now, their highly praised catering company continues to impress community members with flexibility, quality and personalized service. Photo
