Everything you need to start, certify, and grow your veteran business.
We’ve tested and vetted these tools. Many are affiliate recommendations — which means if you use our link and purchase, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
Business Formation & Legal
ZenBusiness
Form your LLC the right way. ZenBusiness handles the paperwork, the state filing, and the registered agent service. Tiered packages starting at $0 + state fees (you pick the package that fits your needs).
Why we recommend it: Fast turnaround, clear pricing, no hidden fees, and they handle the boring stuff so you can focus on building.
[LINK: Learn more and form your LLC with ZenBusiness]
Northwest Registered Agent
Privacy-first business formation. If you don’t want your home address on public records, Northwest’s privacy-by-default model protects you. Registered agent service included.
Why we recommend it: $39 flat fee. No upsells. Strong reputation in the veteran community.
[LINK: Learn more and form your LLC with Northwest Registered Agent]
Banking & Financial Services
Relay Financial
Business banking built for small businesses. No monthly fees. No minimum balance. Instant transfers. Built specifically for entrepreneurs who don’t have time to deal with traditional bank bureaucracy.
Why we recommend it: Clean dashboard, veteran-friendly, and the team actually understands small business cash flow.
[LINK: Learn more and open your business account with Relay Financial]
Accounting & Bookkeeping
QuickBooks Self-Employed
If you’re a solo operator or just starting out, QuickBooks Self-Employed handles invoicing, expense tracking, and tax prep. Mobile app works offline (critical when you’re on the road or at a job site).
Why we recommend it: Simple interface, mobile-first design, integrates with your bank account for automatic expense categorization.
[LINK: Learn more and start with QuickBooks Self-Employed]
Wave
Wave is free. Completely free. Invoicing, expense tracking, basic financial reports — no credit card required, no “limited free tier.”
Why we recommend it: If you’re bootstrapping and need to prove your business is real before spending money on tools, Wave is the answer.
[LINK: Learn more and start with Wave]
Federal Contracting & SAM.gov
SAM.gov (Official)
You must register on SAM.gov before you can bid any federal contract. It’s free, but the process is confusing and the interface is outdated.
Why we recommend it: It’s required. No way around it. But start here first — understand the process before you pay for help.
[LINK: Register on SAM.gov]
Email & Marketing
Kit (ConvertKit)
Build your email list. Kit is free up to 10,000 subscribers and built for creators — not just e-commerce. If you’re building an audience and a business at the same time, Kit is the right tool.
Why we recommend it: Simple forms, reliable delivery, beautiful email templates, and the free plan is genuinely useful (not just a limited trial).
[LINK: Learn more and start building your list with Kit]
Website Building
WordPress
This site runs on WordPress. If you want full control, no monthly fees (after initial hosting), and the ability to grow without hitting platform limits, WordPress is the foundation.
Why we recommend it: It’s what we use. Open source. Affordable hosting. Scales with you.
[LINK: Learn more about WordPress]
Coming Soon
We’re vetting more tools in these categories:
- Payroll software (for when you hire your first employee)
- Contract management and proposal software
- Time tracking and project management
- Veteran-specific grants and financing options
Check back soon.
Have a Tool to Recommend?
Found something that genuinely helps veterans build their business? Let us know. We’re always looking for quality recommendations.
[LINK: Contact us with your recommendation]