Military spouses are some of the most resilient, adaptable, and resourceful people you’ll
ever meet 

We’ve learned how to restart, rebuild, and reinvent ourselves time and again —
often while holding down the home front and supporting a service member’s career.

So, it’s no surprise that many military spouses turn to entrepreneurship. Owning a
business offers freedom, flexibility, and the ability to take your career wherever the military
sends you. Yet despite the opportunity, too many spouses face steep barriers to business
ownership. Let’s explore what those are — and how we can overcome them together.

Barrier 1: Access to Capital 
Military spouses often face financial hurdles when starting or growing a business. Frequent
relocations can disrupt credit history or savings, and lenders may hesitate to extend loans
to someone who moves often or lacks long-term employment.

How to Overcome It:
• Explore veteran- and spouse-specific grants such as the Military Spouse
Entrepreneur Award or SBA programs like Boots to Business.
• Connect with community development financial institutions (CDFIs) that
understand military life.
• Consider crowdfunding or microloans as low-barrier ways to start small and grow.

Barrier 2: Licensing and Mobility
PCS moves can be career killers — especially when professional licenses or business
registrations don’t transfer across state lines.

How to Overcome It:
• Research state-level military spouse reciprocity laws that allow quicker transfer
of professional credentials.
• Register your business as an LLC with a virtual address to maintain continuity
regardless of location.

• Build a portable business model — online consulting, coaching, digital services, or
e-commerce are highly mobile options.

Barrier 3: Limited Networks and Mentorship
Relocating every few years makes it difficult to build a strong local network or find
consistent business mentors. Entrepreneurship can feel isolating, especially if you’re
launching in a new city.

How to Overcome It:
• Join national spouse entrepreneur communities like the Military Spouse Chamber
of Commerce, American Corporate Partners (ACP) or MilSpouse ASCEND for
mentorship and networking.
• Attend virtual events, webinars, and pitch competitions to build visibility and
connections beyond your zip code.
• Partner with other military spouse-owned businesses to share resources and
amplify reach.

Barrier 4: Time and Family Balance
Entrepreneurship demands focus, but military life adds layers of unpredictability —
deployments, childcare, and household responsibilities can stretch every hour thin.

How to Overcome It:
• Set clear work boundaries and communicate them with your family.
• Use digital tools for scheduling, automation, and outsourcing tasks that drain your
time.
• Remember: your pace may look different, but progress is progress.

The Future Is Skills-First and Spouse-Led
Military spouses bring unmatched skills to entrepreneurship — adaptability, leadership,
and determination. With growing resources like the Military Spouse Entrepreneurship
Act, spouse-owned businesses are gaining visibility and support.

As more organizations adopt a skills-first mindset, entrepreneurship isn’t just an
alternative — it’s an advantage. Spouses are building scalable, mobile businesses that fuel
both personal growth and community impact.

Final Thoughts
Entrepreneurship isn’t easy — but neither is military life. And you’ve already proven you can
handle challenge after challenge with strength and creativity.
Every barrier you face is an opportunity to innovate, connect, and lead. The key is knowing
that you’re not in this alone — an entire community of military spouses and allies stands
ready to help you turn ideas into income and dreams into legacy.
Because when military spouses succeed in business, we all win — families, communities,
and the economy.

About the Author
Robyn J. Grable is the Founder and Creator of The ASCEND Collective®, a U.S. Navy
veteran, former military spouse, and an advocate for workforce equity through a skills-first
approach. She leads initiatives that create career pathways for veterans, military spouses,
and underserved talent — ensuring opportunity is based on ability, not circumstance.
Through partnerships like L-EAF Lab and Boots2Bytes, Robyn continues her mission to
build stronger communities and a stronger workforce, one skill at a time.
Robyn J. Grable
Founder and Creator | The ASCEND Collective
�theascendcollective.org