Leading video-game themed military charity, Operation Supply Drop, today announces the expansion of its mission to become the most culturally relevant and generational charity for active duty military and veterans by creating a network of veteran-owned businesses that offer publicity, support, mentorship, partner introductions and strategic advice to startups and companies founded by current or former members of the military.
Operation Supply Drop was founded in 2010 by U.S. Army Ranger Captain Stephen “Shanghai Six” Machuga, with a mission to “provide fun where there is none” by sending video game filled care packages to troops deployed to combat zones and veterans recovering from their injuries. In its ongoing pursuit to meet our real world heroes’ needs, the charity has begun offering complimentary business advisory and stewardship services to veteran-owned startups. HeroCrate is the first recipient.
Launched in June 2014 by U.S. Army veteran Jacob McShea, HeroCrate provides limited-edition monthly mystery packages that contain goodies inspired by heroes from beloved video games, movies, television, comics and pop-culture. HeroCrate sets itself apart from other monthly package services through pricing transparency and by not requiring a recurring subscription. Every HeroCrate is filled with 4-6 pieces of merchandise and is the only crate of its kind that guarantees a T-Shirt with every package. Previous crates have featured Marvel's The Incredible Hulk, DC's Batman and Star Wars' Yoda, selling out almost instantly. Each month one lucky HeroCrate customer will also find a “golden ticket” that wins a truly epic, high-value Super HeroCrate, packed with video game hardware, accessories and other great prizes.
“When I first left the military, I had the option to sit around and feel sorry for myself. Instead, with the help of my brother and wife, I chose to start HeroCrate,” said HeroCrate’s founder and former U.S. Army combat infantry soldier Jacob McShea. “In addition to drawing support from a loving family, starting your own business is one of the most therapeutic things a recently returning soldier can do. It is very hard work. It constructively occupies your mind and, most importantly, it is superbly satisfying to look at your own business as it provides for your family and allows you to give back to the community.” McShea added, “Through their advice and introductions, Operation Supply Drop have been invaluable in fostering our success, allowing us to dramatically accelerate the growth of HeroCrate and to avoid many pitfalls most entrepreneurs only learn the hard way.”
“With no experience running a company and plenty of reasons not to take the leap into completely uncharted territory, Jacob and his family started HeroCrate. In less than six months, with no formal PR or marketing, HeroCrate has quietly grown into a hugely successful and popular service,” explains Glenn “Commander” Banton, Executive Director of Operation Supply Drop and newly appointed Advisory Board Member for HeroCrate. “We want to actively encourage more veterans to start their own businesses, realizing how directly relevant their military experience is in the entrepreneurial world. We believe showcasing success stories like HeroCrate and offering tangible startup support will foster an even greater, thriving network of veteran-owned businesses that can help each other succeed.”
HeroCrate’s fourth mystery box, themed around a well-known and much-loved video game hero, is available now through October 21, 2014 exclusively at www.HeroCrate.com.
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