This month, we are excited to feature a veteran entrepreneur from San Diego, showcasing their journey and contributions to the community.

At Chevron & Star, we celebrate the achievements of service members and veterans. Our platform provides valuable insights, including:

By focusing on independent veteran digests, we aim to empower veterans and their families with the information they need to thrive.

How to Find and Support Veteran-Owned Businesses in San Diego

Behind every veteran-owned storefront, food truck or consulting firm is someone who turned skills learned in uniform, such as logistics, leadership, planning under pressure and attention to detail, into a livelihood. San Diego has one of the largest military and veteran populations in the country, so it is no surprise that veteran entrepreneurs show up in almost every corner of the local economy, from craft breweries and fitness studios to construction, IT services and nonprofit work.

Finding veteran-owned businesses

If you want to spend your money with veteran entrepreneurs, a few approaches tend to work well:

  • Look for certification. The U.S. Small Business Administration runs the Veteran Small Business Certification program, which verifies veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Certified firms can compete for set-aside federal contracts, and the certification is a useful signal for consumers too.
  • Ask locally. Base communities, veteran service organizations and chambers of commerce often keep informal lists or host networking events where owners meet customers.
  • Check business profiles. Many review and mapping platforms let owners mark their business as veteran-owned.

For veterans thinking about starting out

If you are weighing a business of your own, you do not have to figure it out alone. The SBA's Boots to Business course is offered through the Transition Assistance Program and introduces the basics of entrepreneurship before or after separation. Veterans Business Outreach Centers provide counselling, business plan reviews and mentoring, and SCORE pairs new owners with experienced volunteer mentors at no cost. Some veterans also use GI Bill benefits for approved training that supports a future venture. Check eligibility with the VA before enrolling. For funding, tax structure or licensing questions, it is worth speaking with an accountant, attorney or SBA advisor, as rules vary by business type and by city and county.

Why it matters

Supporting a veteran-owned business keeps money circulating locally and often creates jobs for other veterans and military spouses, who frequently look for employers who understand frequent moves and service commitments. Our resources page gathers further support options, and you can read more first-hand accounts in our service stories. Know a veteran entrepreneur whose story deserves a spotlight? Reach out through our contact page.