🎖️ VETBIZ UPDATEs & NEWS 🎖️

A custom car from a superhero movie can make headlines, but the value of a purchase isn’t always measured by its price tag. The supplied information doesn’t confirm that Tony Stark’s Acura NSX is currently for sale or provide an asking price. It does point to something shoppers can act on today: supporting veteran-owned businesses, including makers such as Sticky Spoons Jam featured by the Veteran Makers Market. For veteran entrepreneurs, a market like this can offer more than a place to display products. It can connect small businesses with customers who might not otherwise discover them, while creating opportunities to tell the story behind a brand. That visibility matters. Many veteran-owned companies start with limited budgets, small teams, and the challenge of competing with established businesses that have bigger advertising reach. Those challenges can look different from one business to another. A veteran who makes jam, for example, may need to manage sourcing, food-safety r...

A Veteran Makers Market is more than a place to shop; it’s a chance to meet the people behind local products and services. The market shines a light on veteran-owned businesses and invites the community to support entrepreneurs who have carried skills from military life into civilian work. Every purchase can help a small business grow, build connections, and become a lasting part of its neighborhood. For many veterans, entrepreneurship offers a way to shape a new career around familiar strengths. Military experience can involve leadership, logistics, planning, teamwork, and calm decision-making under pressure. Those abilities can be valuable in business, whether someone is making handcrafted goods, offering professional services, running a food company, or building a technology startup. A market gives shoppers a tangible way to discover that range of talent. Starting a business is still a major challenge. New owners must find customers, manage costs, set prices, handle regulations, a...

The words “In Memory of Kevin Roarke Dean” and the heading “Army” offer a brief but meaningful tribute. They connect Kevin’s name with military service and record that Theodore Marzonie Jr made a donation in his memory. The inscription does not specify the gift’s recipient or purpose, so it would be wrong to assume what program it supports. Still, a memorial donation can carry an important idea: remembrance can become action. For veterans considering entrepreneurship, that idea resonates. Service leaves people with experience, relationships, and a sense of responsibility. With practical support, those strengths can help build businesses that create jobs, solve local problems, and contribute to communities long after military service ends. Veterans often bring valuable habits to business ownership: planning under pressure, adapting when circumstances change, and working toward shared goals. These abilities can transfer to managing a team, serving customers, or keeping a small company ...

Putting looks simple until a match is on the line. Dream Putt is stepping into that pressure-filled part of golf with an early-access release for Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S, inviting players to practice and play in a virtual-reality setting. The project also puts a spotlight on its creator, Jeffrey David Golf, LLC, a veteran-owned small business based in Melbourne, Florida. The company was founded by Jeffrey Mocini, a competitive amateur golfer. That combination matters: Dream Putt is not just a technology project with golf imagery layered on top. Its roots are in a sport where touch, routine, and reading a putt make a real difference. Early access gives players a chance to explore the experience while the product is still developing, and gives the business an opportunity to learn from how people actually use it. For Quest 3 and 3S owners, virtual reality can make a putting activity feel more hands-on than watching a screen or tapping through a conventional game. Players can use t...

Collaborative Shared Technologies LLC has received recognition from the Veteran Institute, a milestone that highlights the value of veteran-owned businesses in the government marketplace. The announcement refers to an October date, though the available details do not specify the exact recognition or program. Even without those specifics, the news offers a useful reminder: veteran entrepreneurs can turn their experience, leadership, and mission-focused approach into meaningful business opportunities. For a veteran-owned company, recognition can help build credibility with potential customers and partners. Government buyers need capable suppliers, and signs of professional achievement may encourage decision-makers to take a closer look. That does not guarantee a contract, of course. Businesses still need to show that their services meet the agency’s requirements, offer sound value, and can be delivered reliably. Recognition works best as one part of a strong business story—not a subst...

Murray State University is recognizing the service and community spirit of VFW Post 6291 through the naming of a new lounge. The gesture gives students and visitors a place to gather while keeping veterans’ contributions visible on campus. The announcement also mentions Wisdom Tree Technologies, a veteran-owned business, pointing to a broader opportunity: honoring veterans can include acknowledging the work they do after service, including building companies and creating jobs. A named lounge may seem like a modest campus feature, but a welcoming shared space can make a real difference in daily university life. Students need places to meet, study, and connect outside the classroom. When that space carries a veteran organization’s name, it can also prompt conversations about military service, leadership, and the many paths veterans take after leaving the armed forces. Recognition becomes part of the campus environment rather than a moment that passes after a ceremony. For veteran ent...

Finding dependable heating and cooling help matters in Eustis, where Florida’s long, humid summers can put air-conditioning systems to work day after day. Lucas Air, a veteran-owned HVAC contractor, has published a dedicated service page for Eustis and nearby Lake County communities. The page gives local homeowners and businesses a place to learn about the company’s service area and HVAC support. It also offers a useful example of how a focused online presence can help a small business connect with the people it serves. A location-specific page can make it easier for customers to find relevant information when a system stops cooling, needs routine attention, or requires professional evaluation. Instead of leaving visitors to guess whether a contractor works in their neighborhood, a dedicated page clearly speaks to the community. For customers, that clarity can save time when comparing local options. For the business, it creates a direct way to explain its services and reach people ...

For veteran entrepreneurs, a strong business network can open doors to customers, partners, and procurement opportunities. VETBIZ Connect, associated with the United States Veterans Inc. Chamber of Commerce, brings that business focus together with an important reminder: your privacy matters. Whether you are exploring the community or building relationships, understanding how a website uses cookies can help you make informed choices while protecting your business information. Cookies are small data files that a website may save in your browser. They can help a site remember preferences, keep certain features working, or understand how visitors use its pages. For a business owner, that can mean a smoother return visit, easier access to relevant resources, and fewer repeated steps. Cookies are not the same as a complete record of your company, and their purpose and use depend on the website’s policies and settings. Some cookies are essential for basic site functions, while others may...

A Virginia man has been arrested after police say he used a sledgehammer to damage a statue near Marine Corps Base Quantico, including breaking off the head of the Marine modeled after Cpl. Harlon Block. The incident has drawn attention not only because of the monument’s history, but also because damage to a landmark can affect the people and businesses that help preserve and interpret it. Prince William County police said officers responded at about 10:13 p.m. Wednesday to reports of property destruction near the base. Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano, 27, was arrested at the scene. He faces charges of felony destruction of property, trespass with intent to damage property, and felony injury to a monument. The charges are allegations, and the case will proceed through the court system. Police said the attack caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. The Washington Post also reported that another figure was missing the bayonet attached to his rifle and that a third figure’s h...

A memorial can do more than preserve a name. It can invite us to reflect on the values a person represented and the ways those values continue to shape a community. Crystal Fatica’s gift in memory of Bruce Dominic Fatica recognizes a loved one whose service in the Army is part of his story. While a brief dedication cannot tell us every detail of Bruce’s life, it offers a meaningful starting point for considering how military service and remembrance can inspire people building businesses today. For many veterans, entrepreneurship is a way to carry forward a sense of purpose after military service. The transition from a structured military environment to civilian work can bring both opportunity and uncertainty. Starting a business offers room to set a mission, make decisions, and create something useful. It also requires patience, planning, and a willingness to learn unfamiliar systems. The habits developed through service—such as accountability, teamwork, adaptability, and attention ...

VetClaims.ai, an Austin-based, veteran-owned disability claims development company founded by Purple Heart recipient Lukas Simianer, has reached a notable milestone: its team has helped develop more than 80,000 veterans’ claims. The figure reflects the scale of a complicated, often personal process, and the company says it is expanding its work. For veterans, the announcement is about more than a growing business. It highlights how lived experience can shape services that address a real need in the veteran community—and how veteran entrepreneurs can build companies around that understanding. Disability claims can involve medical records, service history, forms, deadlines, and unfamiliar terminology. For someone already managing health challenges or adjusting to civilian life, organizing the details can feel like another full-time job. Claims development support can help veterans gather and arrange relevant information so their case is presented clearly. That is distinct from a decis...

For shoppers considering a pre-owned luxury watch, confidence matters almost as much as the watch itself. Kingdom Watch Company, a veteran-owned, family-run dealer in Cullman, has earned the 2026 Gold Standard in Craftsmanship & Customer Trust. Its recognition highlights two qualities that can make a meaningful difference in the pre-owned market: transparent inspection standards and a reported 5.0-star overall rating. Pre-owned luxury watches can offer access to well-crafted timepieces at a range of price points, but buying one often calls for careful research. Buyers may wonder about a watch’s condition, authenticity, service history, or how clearly a seller explains its policies. A stated inspection process helps address those questions by showing customers that evaluation is part of the business, not an afterthought. Clear communication can make the buying experience easier to navigate. That clarity is especially relevant in a market where customers may not have the technica...

Rise8 has been awarded a U.S. Navy Model Line Methodology Process Improvement Workshop, with award details now posted. The work puts a rapidly emerging Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) in a position to support a practical question facing government teams: how can they improve a process, test a better approach, and make successful changes repeatable? The announcement also connects Rise8 with the 2027 Elev8 GovCon community, reflecting the growing visibility of veteran-led businesses in government contracting. A model line is a structured way to examine and improve how work gets done. Rather than treating each effort as a one-off, teams can use a defined method to identify bottlenecks, test improvements, and capture lessons that can be reused. For a Navy organization, that discipline can help make complex work more consistent and easier to assess. The workshop’s focus is process improvement; the available announcement does not specify its exact deliverables, sch...

In Greeneville, a sturdy fence can do more than mark a property line. It can add privacy, help keep pets and children contained, and make an outdoor space feel more usable. Bowman Family Fencing & Junk Removal brings residential fence installation together with junk removal, offering homeowners a practical way to tackle two common property projects with one local call. That combination matters because a fence project often begins with clearing old materials, broken panels, brush, or leftover debris. Having a team that can address cleanup alongside installation may simplify planning and reduce the number of separate appointments. Homeowners can ask about the scope, timing, and estimate before work begins, then decide what fits their property. Bowman Family identifies itself as veteran-owned and operated, a detail that carries meaning beyond a line in an advertisement. Veteran entrepreneurs often bring habits shaped by service—discipline, accountability, teamwork, and comfort coo...

For 125 years, Idaho Candy Company has been part of Boise’s sweet story. The family-owned, veteran-owned business still makes candy at its longtime downtown location, keeping a tradition alive across generations. That combination is worth celebrating: a local company with deep roots, a familiar place in the community, and a business that continues to make its product close to home. Its milestone also offers a useful look at what veteran entrepreneurship can mean beyond starting a company. Running a business for generations takes more than a good recipe. It calls for adapting to changing customers, managing costs, maintaining quality, and building relationships that last. A downtown candy maker also contributes to the character of its neighborhood. When production stays local, the company preserves a visible link between the product and the place where it is made. For Boise residents and visitors, that can make a small purchase feel connected to the city’s history, not just a quick s...

Setas Botanicals, a woman- and veteran-owned nutraceutical company based in Reno, Nevada, has stepped into the functional mushroom market with its core collection of three organic supplement formulas. The launch puts the founder’s perspective and a growing wellness category in the same conversation. For veteran entrepreneurs, it is also a useful example of how mission-driven businesses can turn lived experience into a company serving a broad consumer audience. Functional mushrooms have attracted attention from shoppers interested in wellness products made with ingredients such as reishi, lion’s mane, and chaga. That interest creates opportunities, but it also means brands must earn trust in a crowded marketplace. Setas Botanicals’ organic positioning gives the company a clear starting point for explaining what its products are and how they fit into a customer’s routine. The details matter: buyers want transparent ingredient information, straightforward labeling, and claims that stay...

When a veteran-owned business earns an NVBDC service-disabled designation, it’s more than a badge on a website—it’s a tangible signal to the market that the company has met rigorous standards and can be trusted to perform on complex projects. NVBDC’s certification process centers on verification, governance, and capability, giving clients a clear, independent validation that the business is veteran-led and capable of delivering results. For Construction Corps, this isn’t just a win for branding; it’s a step toward expanded opportunities in a competitive landscape. For veteran entrepreneurs, the certification acts as a bridge to opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Large procurement programs, government contracts, and corporate supplier diversity initiatives frequently seek SDVOBs (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses) to meet diversity goals and procurement requirements. The NVBDC seal helps a potential customer distinguish a qualified partner quickly, reducing d...

In a move that underscores the growing influence of veteran leadership in the financial services arena, Major General John Edwards, USAF (Ret.) has joined Academy Securities' Advisory Board. This development signals more than a prestige hire; it reflects a strategic commitment to expanding avenues for veteran entrepreneurship and resilience in the post-9/11 veteran community. Academy Securities, noted as a veteran-owned and operated investment bank, leverages its unique perspective to align capital markets with the realities faced by service members transitioning to civilian life. Edwards brings decades of strategic leadership, crisis management, and regional defense insights that can translate into tangible advantages for veteran-owned businesses seeking growth capital and guidance. For veteran entrepreneurs, the implications are concrete. Advisors with a military background tend to understand the operational tempo, risk tolerance, and long-cycle planning that characterize defe...

If you’re a veteran stepping into entrepreneurship or growing a veteran-owned small business, understanding how to handle an American flag’s retirement isn’t just about tradition—it’s a potential business touchpoint. The right disposal methods honor service, support community trust, and can spark partnerships with veterans organizations, scouting groups, and local government. Here’s a practical, business-minded look at how this dignified process can benefit veteran entrepreneurs while staying respectful of the flag’s significance. First, know the basics: the Flag Code recommends destroying a worn flag in a dignified way, preferably by burning, with ceremonial burning, burial, or drop-off at organizations like American Legion posts, VFW, or Scout troops as common pathways. This guidance isn’t just ceremonial; it creates predictable channels for service-minded businesses to align with, especially those already serving veterans or first responders. For veteran-owned ventures, there’s ...

Colerain Township in Cincinnati is about to get a fresh spark of local business energy, as King City Gardens Group announces the expansion of The Garden Dispensary. This move isn’t just about opening another store; it’s about weaving veteran leadership and community roots into a broader regional strategy. If you’ve followed the local cannabis scene, you know the Garden has built a reliable reputation for accessible products, knowledgeable staff, and a patient-first approach. What makes this expansion noteworthy goes beyond square footage. King City Gardens has long positioned itself as a veteran-owned operator with a strong emphasis on mentoring and supporting fellow veterans through entrepreneurship. In practice, that means more than a transaction; it means a network of resources, from business mentorship and seasoned compliance know-how to access to veteran-focused financing conversations and peer-to-peer guidance. In Colerain, that practical support system is likely to translate ...