We dedicate Memorial Day and Veterans Day to showing active duty and military veterans our appreciation. But those aren’t the only occasions for throwing our support to the men, women and animals who serve and have served in the U.S. military or their families who hold down the fort. We can also support them by doing what we love most — shopping our little hearts out!
Many amazing veteran-, military- and military spouse-owned businesses sell merchandise we simply cannot live without, including products that make your beard softer, your skin brighter, or your outfit cuter. You’re going to shop anyway because that’s what we do, so why not shop with purpose and let your dollars thank our heroes and their loved ones for their service and dedication?
We know there are countless other veteran-owned brands we haven’t mentioned, so drop us a line if you know one. We’d love to add them.
Bags
GORUCK: Designing gear with “life or death quality standards that would thrive in Baghdad or New York City,” GORUCK has been building the toughest rucksacks since 2008.
Muddy Girl Leathers: This active duty-owned brand handcrafts and designs quality leather products, including bags, keychains and bracelets, to name a few.
R. Riveter: Started by two military spouses in an attic, R. Riveter (inspired by World War II cultural icon Rosie the Riveter) produces beautiful handmade handbags and clutches. You might recognize them from Shark Tank!
Sword & Plough: This veteran-owned company repurposes military surplus material into durable, quality handbags, backpacks and accessories. They offer a 20% military discount and donate 10% of proceeds to veteran nonprofits. Note: This store is currently closed.
Beauty
Battle Brothers Shaving Co.: “Born out of brotherhood, service and self-sacrifice,” Battle Brothers sells handmade brushes and high-grade stainless steel blades to get the closest shave possible. This military-owned brand’s long-term goal is to manufacture 100% of its products in the U.S.
Dashfire Beards: This veteran-owned company produces affordable beard oil and beard grooming products. Their motto is “Serve your beard like you served your country.”
Doc Spartan: As seen on Shark Tank, this veteran-owned business offers 100% natural products made in Portsmouth, Ohio. The husband and wife duo started Doc Spartan to help others “heal their wounds with natural ingredients” through high-quality products, including deodorants, soaps, skin care, pet care products and more.
Fir Mountain Soaps & Gifts: Artisan-crafted soaps, beard oils, salts and sugar scrubs made from natural oils, butters and botanicals to nurture your skin and your senses for an ultimate bathing experience.
Stubble + ‘Stache: Former U.S. Marine Nicholas Karnaze infuses thoughtfulness into every aspect of his brand (founded in 2012) — from its ingredients to its packaging. Stubble + ‘Stache hydrates your face to reduce an itchy beard with award-winning skin care products. And the best thing? Every product is cruelty-free and sustainable.
Clothing
Bunker 27: Looking for cool graphic T-shirts? Bunker 27 has you covered. Since 2016, Darren Moore has been selling military-inspired jackets, tees, and hoodies, to name a few, for men, women and kids.
Can A Girl Catch A Break Chic Boutique: From fierce stilettos to glittery eye shadows, this affordable boutique has everything to help you look and feel your best.
Combat Flip Flops: This veteran-owned company not only sells flip-flops but also clothing and accessories. Some products are made in Afghanistan by war widows, others by Syrian refugees, and the Peacemaker jewelry collection is made in Laos from land mines dropped during the Vietnam War. Every sale helps send girls in Afghanistan to school or clear land mines in foreign countries.
Grunt Style: Chances are you’ve seen folks wearing T-shirts with Grunt Style’s flag and crossed rifle logo on them. An Army veteran founded the company, and it’s grown into a mega-popular destination for service members and veterans to purchase patriotic clothing and gear.
Oscar Mike: This veteran-owned business uses 100% of donations made to the Oscar Mike Foundation and proceeds from Oscar Mike apparel to support injured veterans. Oscar Mike has also partnered with other brands like Amazon and Starbucks for exclusive apparel.
Coffee
Alpha Coffee: Order coffee online from this veteran-owned brand. They donate coffee to deployed troops and dedicate a portion of all sales to military charities.
Altruistic Joe: The All-American family-owned coffee brand sources coffee from independent, sustainable farms worldwide. Co-owner Jamie Jenks is a retired veteran who spent over twenty years in the U.S. Coast Guard as a search and rescue helicopter pilot. The online coffee brand donates 20% of all net proceeds go to charitable causes.
Black Rifle Coffee Company: A veteran-owned specialty coffee company that roasts in small, custom batches and ships directly to your door. If coffee isn’t your cup of joe, check out their apparel. A portion of the proceeds from their Coffee Saves Roast is donated to emergency medical personnel on the front lines.
Cuvee Coffee: Since 1998, Cuvee Coffee has been perfecting the art of coffee from its lab in Austin, Texas. Founder Mike McKim’s dedication to high-quality coffee has led to the world’s best cold brew and continues to invent coffee even the most persnickety pallets can’t help but love.
Fire Department Coffee: Founded in 2016, this veteran-owned and operated company roasts its coffee in Rockford, Illinois. The staff comprises firefighters, first responders and coffee connoisseurs. Enjoy everything from “Skull-Crushing Espresso” and “Harvest Blend Coffee” to spirit-infused coffee made with rum, tequila, bourbon and whiskey. Every month, 10% of the net proceeds from Fire Department Coffee, as well as other charitable gifts, go to support organizations or individual heroes in need.
Food + Drink
Frag Out Flavor: Frag Out Flavor was started in 2017 by Patrick Flynn, a combat veteran who served as a 12B (combat engineer) in the Army. His brand provides quality seasonings and barbecue rubs.
Heroes Vodka: Started by a Marine Corps veteran, Heroes Vodka’s mission is to provide exceptional taste and superior value to consumers and to honor heroes who serve, protect, and perform outstanding work in our communities. It was first bottled on Veterans Day 2011 (11-11-11) and has been winning awards ever since.
K9 Salute: This company sells all-natural dog treats that honor fallen K9 service dogs. Proceeds go to military and police K9 units for supplies like protective vests for the animals. The veteran founder also helps military veterans get service dogs.
Merica Bourbon: From Grunt Style (mentioned above) comes Merica Bourbon, which comes from military veterans who want to share the great taste of bourbon and a side of freedom.
Mutt’s Sauce: A Vietnam veteran designed the recipe for this tangy-sweet-spicy sauce and left it with his granddaughter, who was serving in the Air Force. She bottles it up and sends it to you in honor of his legacy.
Rumi Spice: Founded by a team of military veterans who served in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army, Rumi offers authentic, ethically sourced and socially responsible spices from Afghanistan.
Gifts
Bottle Breacher: Bottle Breacher started designing bottle openers from recycled, authentic, decommissioned .50-caliber bullets out of a one-car garage. Today, they design many other one-of-a-kind designs for gifts that will have people talking.
MilSO Box: This monthly subscription box is for members of the military’s significant others. Choose from a three-, six- or 12-month subscription of hand-chosen gifts to encourage someone through a deployment or a long-distance military relationship.
Pressed — A Creative Space: This military spouse- and veteran-owned store in North Carolina sells products crafted by other military spouses. Their online shop can ship anywhere in the U.S. and includes items ranging from T-shirts and coffee mugs to handbags and journals.
Rollors: The simple, portable lawn game combines horseshoes and bocce and is the brainchild of Minnesota native Matt Butler. Its concept came from downtime between deployments overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. When Butler returned home, he developed a prototype in his garage that was a hit at barbecues, parties and other outdoor get-togethers. The rest is history.
Stuffed Squadrons: These adorable hand-knit planes are customized to replicate specific military aircraft. If your service member flies in one of their models, this toy makes a perfect surprise.
Teak and Twine: Shop gorgeous gift baskets and collections of bath soaps, salts and edible treats. The team includes a military spouse and a veteran, and they will customize orders for any occasion.
Unique Pl8z: This brand uses old license plates to create unique art pieces. A military spouse created the company after relocating to Japan. You can order one from the locations where you’ve been stationed or find a piece from your home state.
Home
Fifth & Cherry: Superior craftsmanship goes into every Fifth & Cherry cutting board, creating a durable heirloom-quality product. Fifth & Cherry handcrafts their boards with end-grain construction and Black American cherry wood from Pennsylvania and New York. When you buy a Fifth & Cherry cutting board, you’ll receive free refinishing and a lifetime warranty.
Glass Beach Mugs: Starting in 2015, Glass Beach Mugs has designed precise replicas of the 1917 Centennial Watch Mug used by the U.S.M.C. at their Naval Base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, during the early 20th century. A portion of the proceeds support Marines and their families via Marine Corps Community Services.
Oak and Oliver Candle Co: This Etsy shop is run by a military spouse who handcrafts soy candles packaged in recycled wine bottles in North Carolina. Note: This store is currently on hiatus.
Jewelry
Alpine Rings: Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, Alpine Rings was started in 2018 by Tim Dobbs, a U.S. combat veteran. The brand specializes in unique and affordable men’s wedding bands. Customers receive free expedited shipping on all ring orders along with a Lifetime Warranty.
CharlieMadison Originals: A military spouse-owned company, CharlieMadison makes custom bracelets and necklaces, with a portion of all profits donated to support military organizations.
Designs by Katie Leigh: Get custom jewelry designed, handcrafted, soldered and welded by a military spouse and her active-duty husband. They regularly work with other small businesses and donate products to charities. The jewelry is very Kendra Scott-esque.
Hope Design: A military spouse with a passion for history and vintage jewelry created this company selling necklaces, bracelets, rings, brooches and cuff links for every military branch.
Nomadés: Four Marine spouses founded this company, which designs charms inspired by duty stations around the world and moments captured within the military lifestyle.
RECON Rings: Designing high-quality silicone wedding bands for active people, RECON Rings offers an alternative to wearing metal rings.
Services
JDog: Besides providing junk removal and carpet cleaning, JDog supports military veterans with job and franchise opportunities. The brand has been part of the TV show “Operation Hidden Treasures” on the Discovery channel, where they salvage and repurpose unused items by turning them into “hidden treasures” for people in need.
Pigeonly: Cofounded by Frederick Hutson, a former active duty member in the Air Force, Pigeonly offers an affordable option for loved ones to keep in touch with inmates at over 4,000 facilities nationwide. The service allows for lower-cost inmate calls and the ability to send letters, photos and more from a mobile device.
RallyPoint: This social and professional platform connects and equips its military members (service members, veterans, family members, caregivers, survivors, and supporters) to succeed throughout their entire military journey, from recruitment to retirement and beyond. Members can expand their professional networks, seek advice, share their military stories, access educational and career prospects, and interact with like-minded individuals in a secure environment.
Unite Us: This trailblazing platform began in 2013 by co-founders Dan Brillman and Taylor Justice to help eliminate the barriers experienced in navigating health and social services. What started as a veteran-only service has evolved into helping anyone who needs connections to health services.
Wellness
Naturally London: This Black-, woman- and veteran-owned wellness brand creates products for the hands and feet from scratch in Laurel, Maryland. Naturally London uses cruelty-free, vegan ingredients that are packaged in sustainable glass bottles and jars.
Pink Stork: Amy Suzanne started Pink Stork in 2015 to help other women throughout their pregnancy, fertility journey, postpartum experience, nursing, and general well-being. These natural products include vitamins, gummies, teas and more.
Looking for more military-owned retailers? Check out Spouse-ly, where you can shop for goods and services from all active military and veteran-owned companies, including jewelry, candles, art, mugs, crochet baby clothes, and coffee.
The post Meet the Cool Veteran and Military Owned Brands Making a Big Difference appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
