Welcome to the final episode of Series 7! This week, I’m joined by Bekky, a Navy wife, mum of three, and a graduate from the Milspo Business Start-Up course.

Bekky shares her incredible journey from feeling lost and lonely as a new military partner to building her own thriving business, The Crafty Starfish.

We discuss the unique challenges military spouses face, such as frequent moves, deployments, and the general chaos of service life, and how she overcame them to create a business that is uniquely her own.Join us to hear Bekky share her inspiring story of overcoming the loneliness many new military partners experience to build her amazing business, The Crafty Starfish.

Discover how she navigated these obstacles to create something truly special!

Ready to start your own business?

Are you a military spouse, partner or other-half with a brilliant idea, a hidden talent, or a burning desire for something of your own?
Perhaps you’ve felt the loneliness of a new posting or the challenge of balancing your career with the demands of military life?
Maybe you've put your dreams on hold, telling yourself there's "never a right time" to start?

It's time to change that narrative.

Our free Business Launch Accelerator course, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the Ministry of Defence, is designed specifically for you. It’s the course Jess wished she had when she started.

We will help you navigate the unique challenges of building a business around military life, from legal structures to managing deployments, to asking permissions, and sorting that mindset - giving you the best start to your business life!

It’s a real opportunity to connect with a community of like-minded people who understand exactly just what military and business life entails. It's your chance to do something for you, to build a career that moves with you, and to show your family how truly epic you are.

Don't miss this chance to save your seat. The next cohort starts in September, after the summer chaos is over. Applications are open now until September 10th. All you have to do is take that first step, just like Bekky did.

Find out more and apply at www.milspo.co.uk/course. We can't wait to welcome you!

Episode Highlights:

• The Struggle for Belonging: Bekky opens up about the isolation she felt as a military partner and her search for a community that understood her experiences beyond just the military.
  
  

• The Genesis of an Idea: Discover how a personal love for sewing and a desire for a flexible career led Bekky to start her business, making beautiful, high-quality, and unique clothes for children.
  
  

• Overcoming the Odds: Hear how Bekky navigated the complexities of launching a business while pregnant, during a global pandemic, and with her husband deployed. She shares how the Milspo business course provided the crucial support she needed to succeed.
  
  

• Progress Over Perfection: Bekky reveals how she shifted her mindset from striving for perfection to embracing progress, a key lesson that helped her get her business off the ground.
  
  

• Finding Your 'Why': Learn about the deeply personal reasons behind Bekky's entrepreneurial journey—creating something for herself, setting an example for her children, and proving that it's possible to build a career you love while navigating military life.
  
  

Connect with Bekky's Business, The Crafty Starfish: https://craftystarfish.co.uk/

Welcome back to The InDependent Spouse Podcast! In this episode, your host Jess Sands dives into the inspirational world of Major Jo Vann – a true multi-hyphenate who redefines what it means to juggle military life, motherhood, and a thriving business.

Jo is not only working full-time in the British Army with a serving husband and two children, but she also runs a stunning boutique hotel in Amesbury called "A Little Place." Jess was lucky enough to visit this beautiful Georgian property, which she describes as something out of a Jane Austen novel.

In this conversation, Jo shares how her military training, sporting background (including playing netball for England!), and a passion for people has equipped her to build an amazing business and team.

Key Takeaways from Jo:

• Build an Amazing Team: Jo emphasizes that her number one priority when starting her business was growing an incredible team, allowing her to minimise her day-to-day contribution because of the people running it.
  
  

• Lessons from Military and Sport: The teamwork aspect, learned through both her army career and sport, has been crucial. She highlights how collaborating with others brings in broader skills and makes you stronger.
  
  

• The Drive to Give Back: After her successful sporting career, Jo developed a passion for coaching, becoming the head coach of the UK Armed Forces netball team, driven by a desire to give back.
  
  

• The Motivation Behind "A Little Place": Her love for people and bringing them together, combined with a desire for stability during a challenging period of army life with children, led her to open the hotel. She also aims to offer a safe and comfortable escape for the military community near Salisbury Plain.
  
  

• The Power of the Reserves: Jo sheds light on how Armed Forces Reserves offer flexible commitment levels, complementary income, personal development, teamwork, and unique training opportunities for those balancing civilian careers or businesses.
  
  

• Embracing Bravery and Curiosity: Jo encourages listeners to test new ideas and not be afraid to try "brave things," even if they feel like too much on their plate. She reminds us that regret often comes from not taking opportunities.
  
  

This episode is a must-listen if you're feeling overwhelmed but need a powerful dose of inspiration to show you what's possible when you embrace challenges and build an incredible support system.

Connect with Jo Vann and A Little Place:

• Website: a little place

• Instagram (A Little Place): https://www.instagram.com/alittleplace_uk/

• LinkedIn (Jo Vann): You can find Jo on LinkedIn to learn more about her and the reserves - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-vann/

Connect with The InDependent Spouse Podcast:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milsponetwork/

• Find a Milspo Directory: Showcase your military spouse-owned business! https://findamilspo.co.uk/

Welcome back to The InDependent Spouse podcast! In this particularly exciting episode, Jess Sands sits down with the brilliant Felicity Mercer, wife to Johnny Mercer, who has navigated the unique challenges of armed forces life, the intense world of politics, and is now an award-winning business owner.

We cover it all, from meeting Johnny Mercer (MP and former Minister for State for Veterans Affairs) as children, reconnecting as adults when he was serving in Afghanistan, to supporting him through a whirlwind political career. Felicity shares candid insights into the realities of being a political wife – far from glamorous – including dealing with public scrutiny, death threats, and the toll it takes on family life.

She discusses the unexpected pivot from supporting her husband's public service to launching her own successful business, The Dress Barn, just six months ago. Discover how she's found pure joy in her new venture, applying years of experience to create a welcoming space for her clients, and even inspiring her own daughters to get involved.

Felicity offers powerful advice for anyone in the military community looking to transition and start something new: "Don't overthink it. Just go for it!"

This episode is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and finding your own path amidst the extraordinary demands of military and political life.

Key Takeaways:

• The Unseen Side of Public Life: Felicity offers a raw and honest look at the lack of glamour and the intense public hatred and threats that can come with being a political spouse.

• Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Despite the difficulties of military and political life, Felicity emphasizes the importance of laughter and finding humor in tough situations.

• Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship: Learn how Felicity channelled her experiences and a small investment into a thriving and joyful business that empowers other women.

• The Power of "Don't Overthink It": Felicity's core advice for military spouses considering a new venture is to overcome self-doubt, have a plan, and back yourself.

• Inspiring the Next Generation: Felicity shares how her business journey is influencing her daughters, teaching them about hard work, independence, and the joy of helping others.
  
  

The Dress Barn: Felicity Mercer's award-winning business, located near the Devon/Cornwall border - https://dress-barn.co.uk/

Join the Course!

Are you a military spouse looking to start your own business? Join The InDependent Spouse's

Business Launch Accelerator course! This fully funded, 8-week online course covers everything you need to know about entrepreneurship as a military spouse or partner. It's available for any partner or spouse of serving regular or reservist armed forces personnel and is funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the Ministry of Defence.

Learn more and sign up at milspo.co.uk/course. The course starts in September, and applications are open NOW!