Once November rolls around, most people are excited as the holiday season officially kicks off with crisp, cool weather taking over, leaves falling to the ground, and holiday scents filling the air. There is something else in November that grabs my attention and that is Veterans Day. We all are given a unique opportunity on this day to celebrate the contributions and sacrifices made each and every day by our military veterans.



According to the Committee on Veteran’s Affairs in the U.S. House of Representatives, the impact our veterans have on the economy is substantial, and is often overlooked.  Statistics gathered by the Committee in 2012 indicate that U.S. veterans owned 9% of American businesses, produced $1.2 trillion in receipts, and employed nearly 5.8 million people. It’s obvious that our veterans are a true force in our economy and have the potential to become an increasingly powerful influence in the e-commerce world.

Over 20,000 veteran-owned small businesses are listed on VOB (a database specifically for veteran-owned businesses). These businesses are both traditional brick & mortar establishments and exclusively e-commerce sites owned by a “veteran, active duty military, reservist, service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) or military or veteran spouse of the United States Army (USARMY), Air Force (USAF), Marine Corps (USMC), Navy (USN), Coast Guard (USCG) or National Guard.”

As a business, November offers you a unique chance to celebrate and honor our nation’s heroes. Instead of using the holiday just as an excuse to give special discounts and run promotions, write a blog post celebrating and honoring a veteran that is a relative, friend, or customer. Allow the post to show your customers your dedication and commitment to our veterans.

Take things a step further:

  • Donate all or a portion of sales from a particular product to an organization that supports veterans

  • Reward customers who donate to the organization your company is supporting

  • Provide links to organizations within blog posts & on social media to spread awareness

  • Offer Special discounts to veterans and their families on Veteran’s Day

  • Partner with other businesses to offer special deals and promotions to veterans

At ParadoxLabs, we are lucky enough to be able to celebrate our heroes every day through our employees, our family, and our friends. Our connections tie us to each branch of the military and represent service that began with the Civil War. Please join us in celebrating:

  • Frank Klossman (Civil War- Union)

  • George Klossman (Civil War – Confederate)

  • Ferdinand W Klossman (World War I)

  • Joseph Klossman (World War II)

  • William Guarnere (World War II)

  • Francis J. Hee Jr. (World War II)

  • Charles Klossman (Korean War)

  • Francis “Chip” Hee (Vietnam)

  • David Tatum (Vietnam)

  • Harlan S. Hart (US Army)

  • William J. Bowers (Operation Desert Shield/Storm)

  • Dave Wooten (82nd Airborne Division)

In addition to celebrating our heroes every day, ParadoxLabs shows their appreciation by supporting non-profit organizations created by our heroes and fundraising efforts to honor our heroes:

Warm Our Vets is another great project. For help getting started or to find some inspiration for your own promotion check out Veterans Day: Discounts and Freebies.

These are just a few examples of how to give back to our heroes. Embrace this opportunity, get creative, and share in our efforts to support our veterans and their families this Veterans Day. As Americans, we have so many freedoms that come to us through the sacrifices made by our military men and women every day. We can never thank them enough for their service (but that should never stop us from trying!).