Friday Finds: Supporting
Veteran-Owned Businesses

At Golden State, we have the utmost respect for the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our country and our communities. For this week’s Friday Finds, we’re highlighting some great products from a few of our favorite veteran-owned companies.

Emily Núñez Cavness and Betsy Núñez are two sisters who were born into a military family and channeled their passion for entrepreneurship into their company, Sword & Plough. Both are Forbes 30 Under 30 Fellows, and both are committed to sustainable design and veteran empowerment, two of the company’s core values. In fact, since 2012, Sword & Plough has helped support over 65 veteran jobs through positions on their own team. From necklaces and travel kits to wallets and bags, every piece is custom crafted and has a unique story behind its creation. They also donate 10% of their profits to veteran organizations that align with their mission, including Team Rubicon, Pets for Vets, and the Pat Tillman Foundation.

As a special gift to our readers, Sword & Plough are offering 15% off your cart from now until next Friday, 9/18. Just enter code GOLDENSTATE at checkout.

Next up is the Dope Coffee Company, who, contrary to their name, produce way more than just the drinkable nectar we all know and love. Their beans and blends are infused into face and body scrub, syrups, beard serum, and soap, but you can always stick to the drinkables if that’s your vibe. CEO and cofounder Michael Lloyd, who was a marine and veteran of the war in Afghanistan, describes their products as “inspired by Black culture for the culture, but everyone is invited to the party.” You can read Michael’s story here and learn more about how he and his wife, Chel, helped bring their vision to life.

“Bad for running, worse for fighting” is how cofounder and CEO Matthew “Griff” Griffin describes his Combat Flip Flops. A West Point grad who served four tours as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan and Iraq, Griffin preaches a philosophy of “business over bullets,” and Combat Flip Flops practice what they preach, providing charities like Aid Afghanistan for Education, the Station Foundation, and Mines Advisory Group with a portion of their profits. In addition to their line of flip flops, they produce comfortable yet field-tested high tops for men and women, as well as various accessories.

If you see something you like in Combat Flip Flops, drop in the code GOLDENSTATE at checkout for a one-time, 25% off coupon for your order.

Last up are Jason McCarthy and GORUCK, who make some of the toughest, most bad-ass rucksacks we’ve ever seen. A former Green Beret, McCarthy pours the pillars of toughness, adaptability and excellence into his products, and his Special Forces brothers and sisters serve as the judge and jury for every piece of gear. Want to take things to the next level? You can join their rucking training program for daily workouts that use their sandbags. They also sell footwear, apparel, and accessories.