Celebrating Veteran Owned Businesses
Celebrating Veteran-Owned Businesses
On Veterans Day, we honor the sacrifices made by our nation’s military and veteran communities for the benefit of our country. One special way to do this is to highlight and support America’s veteran-owned businesses.
Many servicemembers transition into the business world after leaving the military. Instead of working for someone else, they start their own businesses, creating jobs, bringing value to their communities, and making an impact on the world around them.
Join us in celebrating and supporting these veteran-owned and operated businesses.
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Swatara Coffee Co.
“A veteran-owned and -founded independent coffee shop with a location in Central Pennsylvania. We ship coffee and unique gifts across the country and to APO/FPO/DPO addresses. Visit us in Jonestown, PA!
We believe in doing the right thing.”
Swatara Coffee Co. is dedicated to its neighbors and the community that supports them. They strive to strengthen those communities by sourcing as much as possible from local farms and businesses.
Additionally, Swatara Coffee Co. remains “as environmentally friendly and eco-conscious as possible”.
Their focus on the community doesn’t stop at supporting other farms and businesses in the area. Swatara Coffee also partners with local schools and artists to strengthen their neighborhoods.
Check out Swatara Coffee Co., and their selection of coffees and gifts.
Skallywag Tactical LLC
According to Skallywag Tactical, “Our mission is to manufacture the highest quality tools for people whose lives depend on the tools they carry. We are US Veteran-owned and operated. We strive to manufacture with exacting tolerances, using only the finest materials. Our professional line of products is all made here in the USA with US-sourced materials.
We also offer a value-added line of lower-cost products manufactured outside the US to give almost anyone the chance to own a piece of the Skallywag Tactical line of tools. These tools undergo our precise inspection process, and every aspect of manufacture is scrutinized.
Our goal is to give the very best customer service to our valued customers and work with precision and integrity. Owning a piece of our labor does not just make you a customer, it makes you part of the family.”
If you’re in the market for blades or swag, then check out Skallywag Tactical LLC to get in on the action.
RELATED: Veteran-Owned Distilleries & Breweries
Kill Cliff
Todd Ehrlich, former Navy SEAL and founder of Kill Cliff, was on the hunt for something he liked more than water. With his former buddies in mind, Todd wanted to create something that embodied the grit and resilience of a Navy SEAL. Kill Cliff drinks are made with 100% natural caffeine, derived from green tea. There’s no sugar and low calories.
Badass Beard Care
This veteran-owned company was founded by Charlie Moyer and specializes in products for men’s facial hair. They carry everything from beard oils, butters, balms, waxes, and washes. The BBC also offers mustache wax, deodorant, body washes, and all the necessary grooming gear. In addition to all that, there’s a pre-Black Friday sale offering 25% off its products.
Grind Oral Care
Are you ready for “Next Level Toothpaste”? That’s exactly how Roger Gindlesperger, a 20-year Army veteran, and his wife Mary describe their company’s products.
“Grind Toothpaste was designed around a problem… Many dentists openly recommend against charcoal toothpaste due to abrasion concerns and in some cases a lack of fluoride for cavity protection.”
This veteran-owned family business tackles abrasion and cavity-fighting problems head-on. Grind’s gentle toothpaste whitens teeth, strengthens enamel, and fights cavities. Additionally, it has anti-plaque, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Grill Your Ass Off
Founded by veteran Army Infantryman Jason Murff, GYAO specializes in providing every conceivable way to season your meat.
Offering a range of special military-themed seasonings, rubs, condiments, sauces, and salts, GYAO is a powder keg of flavors for all your grilling needs.
In addition to their special seasoning blends, Grill Your Ass Off offers utensils such as instant-read thermometers, a recipe book, Gourmet Duck Fat spray, and various meat temperature and timing charts.
Want some Swag with their name and logo? They also sell shirts, hoodies, and other grilling gear.
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Go Ruck
This veteran-owned company was founded by Jason and Emily McCarthy, whose goal was to “build a rucksack with life or death quality standards that would thrive in Baghdad and NYC”.
But GoRuck is more than just a company that sells awesome packs, equipment, footwear, and apparel. The duo created a community centered around a rigorous training regimen.
When you buy and use GoRuck gear, you can join the Official GoRuck Club and take part in numerous annual events around the country. There are even daily workouts that are simple and scalable to all abilities. They can be done anywhere and at any time.
Nine Line Apparel
“It’s much more than getting dressed everyday. It’s about being proud of who you are, what you wear, and how you walk through life. We are relentlessly patriotic. We hold no punches, we don’t apologize for our love of country. We are America’s next Greatest Generation.”
This veteran-owned business was “founded by Patriots for Patriots” in 2012. Headquartered out of Savannah, Georgia, Nine Line Apparel offers clothing lines for men, women, and youth.
Bison Union Co.
Bison Union is an apparel company founded by a former Green Beret, and it is based out of Sheridan, Wyoming. Their mission is “to make quality apparel for real, hard-working people.”
What sets Bison Union Co. apart from other clothing companies is its leather accessories and belt buckles. They source these USA-made products through other small business owners who are also veterans.
30 Seconds Out
“Founded in 2014, Thirty Seconds Out is a team of independent thinkers motivated to improve ourselves and those around us. Military roots and an appetite for adventure are what drive our mindset and our mission.”
30 Seconds Out is another veteran-owned company that captures the American warrior spirit. Founded by a retired Navy SEAL and headquartered in Idaho, 30 Seconds Out hosts their unique and patriotic messages on t-shirts, hats, flags, patches, and stickers.
But what does the name 30 Seconds Out mean? Great question! “Originating in the military, it’s usually the last time signal you get before getting to the objective. It’s when the endorphins kick in…”
K Bar Soap Company
The K Bar Soap Company was founded by Marine Corps veterans to bring “an all-natural grenade of showering freedom” that surpasses all of the mainstream bar soaps that are out there.
Each soap comes with a unique scent and a motivating name. Some of the best-sellers are “Napalm in the AM”, “High Speed Low Drag”, and “Chest Candy”. You can buy these grenade soaps individually or in packs of four or six. K Bar also offers a range of hygiene products, including cologne, hair pomade, and lip balm.
Black Rifle Coffee
Black Rifle Coffee Company states that it is “a veteran-owned coffee company serving premium coffee to people who love America. We develop our explosive roast profiles with the same mission focus we learned as military members serving this great country and are committed to supporting veterans, law enforcement, and first responders.”
You can get BRCC coffee in so many different ways: whole bean, ground, instant, K-Cups, and even in single-serve tea bags.
In addition to coffee, BRCC sells mugs, brewing gear, grinders, and thermoses.
Three Rivers Coffee Company
Three Rivers Coffee Company is a service-disabled veteran-owned and operated small-batch coffee roasting company. Lorena and Chris Richie started Three Rivers Coffee in 2017 after moving to Waxahachie, TX, from Alaska. The name “Three Rivers” honors Alaska, a place very dear to them.
This roast-to-order coffee company specializes in whole beans, ground coffee, and Keurig-compatible pods, offering a range of roasts, including light, medium, and dark, as well as decaf options and single-serve packets.
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Battle Bars
Veterans Alex Witt, Ian Sparks, and Colin Sparks co-own and operate Battle Bars, which sells protein snack bars handcrafted by combat veterans. You can build your own box through their website and order the exact bars that you want.
Rumi Spice
Rumi Spice was founded by a team of military veterans who served in Afghanistan with the US Army. During their time there, they became aware of spices that grew in the region and created a modern-day spice route to connect farmers to the US market.
Teak & Twine
Teak & Twine is a one-stop shop for all things gifting. Started by veteran Torrance Hart in 2015 after serving eight years in the U.S. Air Force, Teak & Twine offers curated gift boxes, customer and corporate gifts, as well as the ability to design your own boxes.
Doc Spartan
Doc Spartan is a veteran-owned retailer that was originally founded to help people heal their wounds with natural ingredients. It’s expanded its product line to deodorant, soap and scrubs, skin care, apparel, pet care, and more. Its signature product is Combat Ready Ointment for damaged and dry skin.
Naturally London
Naturally London is a health and wellness brand that transforms the way you care for your hands and feet. The company is a Black-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned business.
Owner Chrissy Cabrera served in the U.S. Air Force. It focuses on small-batch, plant-based formulations made with 100% natural ingredients, blending aromatherapy with skincare, and includes products like foot and hand soaks, balms, scrubs, cuticle oils, and moisturizers. Naturally London also offers curated self-care sets and travel kits for a spa-like experience you can enjoy anywhere.
Colleges and Universities Founded by Veterans
John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences
The John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences is a military-friendly university and was founded by veteran Brent D. Murphy, MS, MBA, DABR, who served in the 25th Infantry Division.
It is an online/hybrid accelerated 16-month private university located in South Bend, Indiana, offering associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate degree programs through its School of Medical Imaging Sciences, School of Physics and Radiological Sciences, School of Business and Informatics, and School of Integrative and Functional Medicine.
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Claremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna College is also a military-friendly university. Located in Claremont, California, it was founded as Claremont Men’s College in 1946. Many of its first students were World War II veterans attending college on the G.I. Bill.
The Robert Day School of Economics and Finance, Literature, Modern Languages and Literatures, Psychological Science, and W.M. Keck Science Department are all found at Claremont McKenna College. It is a four-year private university offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Veteran-founded/Owned Staffing and Recruiting Agencies
Freedom Makers
Freedom Makers is a staffing agency that provides remote administrative assistance to businesses all over the world that putting people in jobs in the following areas:
- Virtual Executive Assistant
- Social Media Marketing Assistant
- Data Entry Assistant
- Calendar & Email Management
- Operations Assistant
- Client Intake & Care Assistant
- Workflows and Systems Setup
Freedom Makers was founded by Laura Renner, who is a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
Hirepurpose
Hirepurpose is a community that focuses on connecting veteran job seekers with employers who want to hire them. It places people in jobs in the following industries:
- Construction
- Customer Service
- Distribution
- Education
- Field Operations
- Fleet Services
- Healthcare
- Human Resources
- Legal
- Logistics
- Management
- Manufacturing
- Marketing
- Retail
- Sales
- Supply Chain
- Technology
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
Hirepurpose was founded in 2011 by Marine veteranZach Iscol.
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About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.
