Supporting Veteran-Owned Small Businesses in the Treasure Valley
Veterans Day tends to remind people to say thanks, and a thank-you is always welcome. But many business owners will tell you that the support that matters is steadier and quieter: a customer who comes back, a neighbor who passes along a name. Here are practical ways to support veteran-owned businesses in the Treasure Valley, none of which require a big budget or a special occasion.
Buy local when it makes sense
Start with what you already spend money on. Lawn care, auto repair, printing, accounting, catering, construction, bookkeeping, and IT support all have local providers, and some are owned by veterans. When you need something, look for a nearby option before defaulting to a national chain.
You do not need to give up on price or quality. The point is simply to include local, veteran-owned businesses in the list of places you compare. When they earn the work, give it to them.
Ask your vendors and your own team
If you run a business, you have more buying power than you might think. A few easy habits help:
- When you request quotes, include at least one local veteran-owned business among them.
- Ask your office manager or purchasing contact whether any current vendors are veteran-owned, and keep a simple list.
- When you need a service you have never bought before, ask other owners who they use and trust.
Keep the request fair and open. A business should win on being a good fit, and a good veteran-owned business will welcome that standard.
Refer people you would actually recommend
Word of mouth is the most valuable marketing a small business gets, and it costs the referrer nothing but a sentence. The key is to refer only those you would genuinely recommend.
Be specific when you do. “They fixed our problem the same day and explained what went wrong” is far more useful to a friend than “they are great.” Introduce people by email or text, with the business owner copied, so the connection is easy to make.
Leave honest reviews
An honest review takes a few minutes and helps a small business more than most people realize. Search engines and customers both pay attention to them.
- Say what you hired the business to do.
- Describe how the work went, including how they communicated.
- Mention anything that stood out, good or otherwise, in plain terms.
- Keep it truthful. Overly glowing reviews from friends can backfire, and a fair review earns more trust.
If something went wrong, consider telling the owner first. Many small businesses want the chance to fix a problem, and a calm conversation often leads to a better outcome than a public complaint.
Share and show up
Sharing a local business’s post takes a few seconds and puts its name in front of people you know. If a veteran-owned shop is hosting an open house, a charity drive, or a community event, go. Attendance matters to a small business, and it is a good way to meet people.
Other simple ways to show up include joining a local business group, inviting a veteran business owner to speak or take part in a community panel, and buying a gift certificate for a colleague from a local business rather than a generic gift card.
Where to start to support veteran-owned businesses
Pick one small thing this week. Write down three services you buy regularly, search for local providers of each, and invite one veteran-owned business to quote the next job. Then write one honest review for a local business that earned it. That is a meaningful start, and it repeats easily.
A short note on our own part: Zippie IT is a veteran-owned small business in Meridian, Idaho, and we are proud to serve our neighbors across the Treasure Valley. If your business is looking for local technology help, you can learn about managed IT in Meridian and the Treasure Valley, including on-site support in Meridian, Boise, Nampa, Eagle, and Caldwell. Call (208) 810-1795 or email info@zippieit.com.
