After two deployments to Iraq and a medical retirement from the U.S. military in 2008, Donnie Jordan found himself searching for a new mission. Like many veterans, he explored entrepreneurship as a way to reclaim purpose, autonomy and stability, but the path wasn’t linear.
Now the founder of Legalize Docs Plus, a Michigan-based identity verification and legal document services business, Donnie is one of Warrior Rising’s newest Hall of Valor alumni and the most recent grant recipient from the nonprofit’s Virtual Business Shower.
“I’ve been an entrepreneur since pretty much 2008, trying to figure out a way to get a business up and running. So I’m really excited to be at this phase in business.”
Donnie Jordan
Solving a pandemic problem, one signature at a time
The idea for Donnie’s business came from a personal challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. After returning from South America and purchasing a home, he and his wife spent nearly two years trying to close on their loan, simply because they couldn’t find a notary.
“Our mortgage company finally found somebody who was about a hundred miles away from us. She came right to our house. I asked her a few questions, and I went through the process of becoming a commissioned notary myself.”
Donnie Jordan
From that experience, Legalize Docs Plus was born. Today, the company offers mobile, online and in-person notarizations, as well as fingerprinting services through a subcontract with the State of Michigan. Donnie recently added passport and ID photo services and opened a brick-and-mortar location to improve the customer experience.
Fueling growth through grant funding
Opening a storefront just as he entered Warrior Rising’s pitch competition was, in Donnie’s words, “really crazy, but exciting.” The grant he won helped him secure vital equipment and ease early-stage financial stress.
“It relieved a lot of stress, a lot of the anxiety of trying to make ends meet for a new business. About 50–55% of the funds went straight toward maintaining our overhead costs for the next eight months. That allowed me to focus on bringing in more business instead of just trying to survive.”
Donnie Jordan
From cohort member to leader
Donnie credits much of his recent growth to the Warrior Rising cohort experience, not just for the resources, but for the unexpected opportunity to lead.
“As soon as I joined the cohort and we were put into small groups, I felt like I was in a position to help my group get to the next phase. One of the best ways to learn is to teach, and helping others refine their pitches helped me do better in mine.”
Donnie Jordan, Founder of Legalize Docs Plus, Virtual Business Shower Champion 2025
This wasn’t Donnie’s first pitch competition. A previous experience at Grand Valley State University laid the foundation, but Warrior Rising’s program offered an environment that emphasized shared growth over competition.
“It’s a competition — we want to win. But at the same time, you want your peers to do well.”
A veteran helping veterans
His advice to fellow veterans just starting out:
“Do as many of these cohorts and engaging activities as you can find. You get the most value from the network — connecting with people who can share your business whether you’re there or not.”
Donnie Jordan
Legalize Docs Plus is now preparing for its official grand opening this fall, which will include a retail section for customers waiting on services. It’s the kind of thoughtful, customer-first approach woven through Donnie’s journey, from a soldier navigating uncertainty to a leader empowering his community.
This is what donor and sponsor support makes possible: real businesses, real jobs and real impact, one veteran at a time.
About Warrior Rising
Founded in 2015, Warrior Rising is a nationwide 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers military veterans and their families through entrepreneurship. Through education, mentorship and grant funding, it helps veteran entrepreneurs launch and grow successful businesses. Learn more at warriorrising.org.