As a veteran-owned coffee roaster, we at Wild Ridge Coffee know firsthand the unique challenges that military veterans face when transitioning to civilian entrepreneurship. While purchasing from veteran-owned businesses like ours is incredibly meaningful, there are many other powerful ways you can support the veteran business community that extend far beyond your wallet.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are over 2.52 million veteran-owned businesses in America, contributing more than $1.14 trillion to the economy annually. Yet many of these enterprises struggle with visibility, networking, and accessing the resources they need to thrive.
Whether you're a fellow veteran, a military family member, or simply someone who wants to give back to those who served, here are seven impactful ways you can support veteran businesses that go well beyond making a purchase.
1. Amplify Their Voice on Social Media
The Power of Social Sharing
In today's digital landscape, social media visibility can make or break a small business. One of the most valuable things you can do is help veteran-owned businesses expand their reach through your own social networks.
How to do it:
- Follow veteran-owned businesses on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter
- Share their posts to your own feed with genuine commentary
- Tag friends who might be interested in their products or services
- Use relevant hashtags like #veteranowned, #supportveterans, or #veteranbusiness
- Leave positive comments and engage authentically with their content
Why it matters: Social media algorithms favor engagement. When you interact with a veteran business's content, you're helping them reach a broader audience organically, which is far more valuable than paid advertising.
2. Write Genuine Online Reviews
Building Digital Credibility
Online reviews are the modern equivalent of word-of-mouth recommendations. For small veteran-owned businesses, positive reviews can be the difference between obscurity and success.
Where to leave reviews:
- Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)
- Yelp (for local businesses)
- Facebook business pages
- Industry-specific platforms (like coffee review sites for roasters)
- Amazon (for product-based businesses)
Review best practices:
- Be specific about what you enjoyed
- Mention the veteran-owned aspect if it influenced your decision
- Include photos when appropriate
- Keep it honest and authentic
3. Make Strategic Introductions and Network
Leveraging Your Professional Connections
Your professional network might hold the key to a veteran business's next big opportunity. Consider who in your circle might benefit from their products or services.
Networking strategies:
- Introduce veteran business owners to potential customers in your network
- Connect them with other business owners for potential partnerships
- Refer them to your employer for corporate purchasing opportunities
- Invite them to industry events or networking groups you attend
- Make introductions to mentors or advisors who could provide guidance
Example: If you know a veteran-owned coffee company and work for a corporation looking for office coffee suppliers, make that introduction. It could lead to a significant contract.
4. Advocate for Veteran Business Inclusion
Corporate and Organizational Influence
Many organizations have diversity and inclusion initiatives that specifically include veteran-owned businesses, but they may not know where to find them.
How to advocate:
- Suggest veteran-owned businesses to your employer's procurement team
- Recommend them for corporate events or catering
- Propose partnerships for company volunteer activities
- Encourage your organization to join veteran business directories
- Advocate for veteran business set-asides in RFP processes
The impact: Corporate contracts can provide steady revenue streams that allow veteran businesses to grow and hire more employees, often including other veterans.
5. Share Your Expertise and Skills
Pro Bono Professional Services
Many veteran entrepreneurs are experts in their craft but may lack certain business skills that you possess. Offering your professional expertise can be invaluable.
Skills that are often needed:
- Digital marketing and social media strategy
- Website design and development
- Accounting and bookkeeping guidance
- Legal advice (if you're an attorney)
- Graphic design and branding
- Business plan development
- Grant writing assistance
- Photography for products or marketing
How to offer help:
- Reach out directly to offer specific services
- Volunteer through organizations like SCORE or the SBA
- Participate in veteran business mentorship programs
- Offer to teach workshops or webinars
6. Nominate Them for Awards and Recognition
Visibility Through Recognition
Awards and recognition programs provide powerful marketing opportunities for small businesses. Many veteran entrepreneurs are too busy running their businesses to seek out these opportunities.
Types of recognition to pursue:
- Local "Business of the Year" awards
- Veteran entrepreneur competitions
- Industry-specific awards (like specialty coffee associations)
- Chamber of Commerce recognition
- "Best Of" lists in local publications
- Social impact awards
How to nominate:
- Research eligibility requirements carefully
- Write compelling nomination letters that tell their story
- Gather supporting materials like testimonials or financial data
- Follow up on deadlines and requirements
- Celebrate their wins publicly when they receive recognition
7. Create Long-Term Partnership Opportunities
Building Sustainable Relationships
The most impactful support often comes from ongoing relationships rather than one-time transactions.
Partnership ideas:
- Event partnerships: Include veteran businesses in community events, fundraisers, or corporate gatherings
- Cross-promotion: If you own a business, explore mutual referral opportunities
- Skill exchanges: Trade your services for theirs (web design for coffee, for example)
- Joint ventures: Collaborate on special projects or products
- Mentorship relationships: Commit to ongoing advisory support
For fitness enthusiasts: Partner with veteran-owned coffee companies for gym events, CrossFit competitions, or outdoor adventure meetups.
For corporate leaders: Establish preferred vendor relationships or explore co-branding opportunities.
The Ripple Effect: Why This Matters
When you support veteran businesses beyond purchasing, you're contributing to something much larger than individual company success. You're helping to:
- Create jobs: Veteran-owned businesses employ over 5.8 million people
- Strengthen communities: These businesses often reinvest locally and support community initiatives
- Honor service: Recognition and support help validate the sacrifices veterans made for our country
- Build entrepreneurial ecosystems: Successful veteran businesses often mentor and support other veteran entrepreneurs
Join Our Mission at Wild Ridge Coffee
At Wild Ridge Coffee, we're not just roasting exceptional coffee – we're building a community that supports veterans in business. Every bag of our small-batch roasted coffee represents our commitment to quality and our dedication to the veteran community.