How best to boss it
There are a wealth of great initiatives out there which provide guidance every step of the way if you want to become your own boss. Here we look at Heropreneurs, the Milspo Business Network, Recruit for Spouses’ Career Academy and #SMSpouses...
Next-level business
The mentoring programme run by military charity Heropreneurs is free and aimed at anyone in the Armed Forces community who is looking to set up a business or take their business to the next level. As a member, you’ll have free access to events, online workshops and experts in the fields of finance, investment, digital marketing and recruitment.
Emma Randell, of Scrumptious Bakes by Emma, said: “I have really enjoyed working with my mentor and have learned a great deal. The sessions have been points to look forward to during long periods of time apart. My husband is front-line, and often deployed for seven to eight months of the year.”
heropreneurs.co.uk
Get connected
The Milspo Business Network supports UK military partners and is run by volunteers who are all business experts. Its global community connects via professional networking, regular meet-ups and workshops and it also runs the findamilspo.co.uk directory.
Alex Aldhous of ARC Virtual Solutions said: “I joined Milspo as I was just setting up my business in 2020; at the time I felt like a fraud because I wasn’t a proper business yet and I was a girlfriend not a wife! The group welcomed me with open arms – I’ve found clients and a community I can take with me on every posting. My business would not be the same without Milspo!”
milspo.co.uk
Get social
#SMSpouses is an online course designed to help spouses and partners obtain the skills they need to find flexible work that fits around service family life. It offers training on how to use social media to grow a business, or to find a career in social media.
Elizabeth Morris, who completed the course in 2020, said: “This course helped transform my life. It opened my eyes to a whole world of e-opportunities that can fit in around military life. The course gave me a renewed sense of confidence in my own abilities, and I am now using the skills I learned to build my own future business venture.”
academy.bfbs.com/social-media-spouses
Chase your dreams
Recruit for Spouses’ Career Academy helps to prepare you for your journey back into work. Its free, bespoke programmes and workshops provide professional coaching, mentoring, resources and guidance for those whose CV gaps have led to low confidence, low self-esteem and imposter syndrome, and those who are unsure where to go next in their career.
Claire Wilshire said: “The coaching RfS has provided me with was an incredible experience and has helped me gain clarity and insight into the next phase of my life.”
Emily Norris said: “Being able to talk freely and confidently, without fear of judgement or any sense of guilt, was invaluable. I am now clearly focused on chasing my dreams.”
recruitforspouses.co.uk
Here are some things to think about when setting up your own business:
Get permission
If you run a business from your quarter, self-employed or a franchisee, you need to get permission from Pinnacle and the local commander.
If you’re working from home for another company as an employee, there’s no need to ask for permission.
Work from home?
You can get tax relief for the extra household expenses you have to pay. Typically these include business calls and the cost of gas and electricity to heat and light your work area. Go to gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/working-at-home
The legal bit
You’ll need to find out what obligations and responsibilities you have as a new business owner – whether a sole trader, limited company or partnership.
Certain types of business require you to have a licence to trade or operate. For example, a beautician would need a licence if offering a massage service. It will usually be issued by your district or county council.