A free online platform launched on July 3 is asking San Joaquin County’s local businesses for help building something for the region’s veterans and servicemembers: a single, trusted directory of veteran discounts, veteran-owned businesses, community events, and support services across Stockton, Lodi, Manteca, Tracy, and beyond.
VALORSJ (Veterans Access to Local Offers & Resources in San Joaquin) is live now at valorsj.com, with mobile apps for iPhone and Android coming in the months ahead. The platform’s value depends on local businesses stepping forward in the coming weeks, both businesses willing to honor veterans with a discount, and veteran-owned businesses themselves looking to be found by neighbors who want to support them.
VALORSJ is not a business. There is no paid advertising on the platform. There are no membership fees. There are no listing fees for businesses. There is no revenue model and no plans for one. Co-founders Tony Mannor and Frank Ferral are paying the platform’s costs themselves as a tribute to the San Joaquin County veteran and service community.
“I’ve been a small business owner in Stockton for more than 25 years, and my family has served our country for generations. That legacy continues with my son,” said Mannor, who co-founded the platform with longtime friend Ferral. “Frank and I are both Rotarians, we were discussing the Rotary creed of ‘Service Above Self’ and that’s what got this started. We wanted to give something back to the veterans who served our community and our nation. This isn’t a product we’re selling. It’s something we’re giving to this community. But it only works if our local businesses help us build it. That’s why we’re starting here, by asking.”
Ferral is a U.S. Air Force veteran and Chief Policy Officer at the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, along with being the co-founder of VALORSJ with Mannor.
“Our veterans gave a lot. The least we can do is make sure they know about the local businesses that want to honor that service. Right now, the platform is ready, we need our business community to show up and say, “I’m in.” Every listing is free. No one in San Joaquin County will ever pay anything to use this or be listed on it.”
A Call to Local Businesses
Mannor and Ferral are asking two specific groups in San Joaquin County to take action this month:
Businesses that already offer a veteran discount, restaurants, shops, service providers, healthcare offices, anyone, are invited to list their discount at valorsj.com so the community can find them.
Veteran-owned businesses, whether or not they offer a discount, are invited to list themselves in the platform’s free veteran-owned business directory.
Listings can be added in moments through a simple form at valorsj.com. There is no cost, no membership requirement, and no obligation of any kind.
What VALORSJ Will Offer
When the directory is populated and the mobile apps launch later this year, veterans, their families, and supporters across San Joaquin County will have one place to find:
Local Discounts – Verified businesses offering veteran discounts, from restaurants and auto repair to home services and retail.
Veteran-Owned Businesses – A directory of veteran-owned businesses in San Joaquin County, so the community can find and support them.
Veteran-Focused Community Events – Local ceremonies, fundraisers, support groups, and gatherings serving the veteran community.
Support Services Directory – A catalog of local and regional resources for veterans navigating civilian life, including employment and career transition programs, healthcare and mental health services, housing support, education benefits, and emergency assistance.
For Veterans and Their Families
While the directory is being built, veterans, families, and supporters are encouraged to visit valorsj.com to see what is already listed, and to share the platform with any local business owner who might want to be included. Word of mouth from veterans to business owners they already patronize is the fastest way to grow what the community can offer.
