Military life often means moving every few years, making it challenging for spouses to maintain stable careers. However, entrepreneurship offers a flexible and fulfilling way to turn passions into profitable businesses, providing a sense of identity and contribution no matter where life takes you.
The Journey of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs
As a military spouse, frequent relocations and unpredictable schedules can make traditional careers challenging. While certain professions like teaching, nursing, or IT can offer some stability, many spouses find themselves struggling to maintain a consistent career path, especially if their strengths and passions lie outside traditional fields. This is where entrepreneurship comes into play.
For many military spouses, the journey into entrepreneurship begins as a way to solve a personal problem or to fill a gap they’ve noticed in their community. It can be hard moving around so often every few years, and sometimes you can feel like you don’t have a stable career. But I’ve found that being an entrepreneur allows me to take the things that I’m good at, that I enjoy, and that I’m passionate about, and offer those services from anywhere.
Overcoming Unique Challenges of Military Life
While entrepreneurship can provide a flexible career path, it’s not without its challenges—especially for military spouses. Moving every few years means constantly rebuilding your client base, adapting to new markets, and sometimes facing periods of financial instability. Additionally, the demands of military life can often place a spouse’s career aspirations on the back burner.
Let’s face it, as military spouses, our spouses’ careers tend to come first, and sometimes we can struggle with wanting to contribute to the household. It’s hard finding jobs when you’re moving every couple of years.
However, many military spouses have found that the benefits of entrepreneurship outweigh these challenges. The ability to work from anywhere, create a flexible schedule, and pursue something you’re passionate about can provide a much-needed sense of identity and purpose. As an entrepreneur, I’m not getting rich but it does give me a sense of passion and identity, and I feel like I’m contributing to the household and making good use of idle time.
Tips for Starting a Business as a Military Spouse
workshop for veteran and military spouse small-businesses owners in Washington D.C., June 9. Graham created the workshop during his one-year fellowship with the search company. (U.S. Army National Guard photo / Spc. Amy E. Carle)
If you’re considering entrepreneurship as a military spouse, here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Identify Your Strengths and Passions: Entrepreneurship is often born out of something you’re already doing or a problem you frequently solve for others. Think about the skills you excel at, the activities you enjoy, and the problems people often come to you for help with. These could be the foundation of your business.
2. Start Small and Scale Gradually: You don’t have to go all-in from the start. Begin by offering your services on a small scale, perhaps to friends, family, or your local community. As you gain experience and confidence, you can gradually expand your business.
3. Leverage Online Platforms: The internet is your friend, especially when you’re moving frequently. Build a strong online presence through social media, a website, and online marketplaces. This allows you to reach a wider audience and maintain your business no matter where you’re stationed.
4. Utilize Military Resources: There are numerous resources available specifically for military spouse entrepreneurs. Organizations like the Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, and Military OneSource offer training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help you succeed.
5. Build a Support Network: Entrepreneurship can be lonely, but you don’t have to go it alone. Connect with other military spouse entrepreneurs for support, advice, and encouragement. Networking can also open doors to new opportunities and collaborations.
Success: Slow and Steady
Many military spouses have successfully turned their passions into profitable businesses, proving that it’s possible to thrive as an entrepreneur despite the challenges of military life.
I began by helping a friend, and then more and more people started coming to me with similar problems. It wasn’t something I planned, but it grew organically out of my passion and skills. Now, I have a business that I can take with me wherever we go.
Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone, and it’s not something you decide on a whim. It’s a path that often emerges from your unique experiences, skills, and passions. For military spouses, it can be a fulfilling way to maintain a sense of identity, contribute to the household, and create a career that moves with you.
If you’re considering entrepreneurship, start by exploring what you’re passionate about and how you can turn that into a service or product. With determination, support, and the right resources, you can build a business that thrives no matter where military life takes you.