I took an extra week of vacation, knowing our best-laid plans would change. I focused on business growth, where I spent time on several small but intentional updates to support sustainable growth: refreshing profile images across social media channels and my website for a consistent, professional look, reviewing the SEO report from the team I contracted, and granting them access to make targeted changes. I also activated LinkedIn Premium’s Open To feature as a military spouse, highlighting my Business Operations Consulting and Homefront Hustle services to attract the right clients. I learned more about the operational history of the Society of Military Spouses in STEM (SMSS), conducted the first board meeting, and prepared for the first leadership team meeting that will guide us through 2027. This intentional use of flexible time during transition allowed me to make meaningful progress while maintaining work-life balance and sustainable productivity.

The first board meeting took longer than scheduled. There were important agenda items needed for compliance and operation of the organization. As a new team, it will take time for us to adjust. I was pleased with the discussions, the involvement, and the questions the board members asked. I hope our next quarterly board meeting will not require as much time. In the meeting, I briefly discussed a grant I submitted. Throughout the week, I continued to research grants and found a couple that I believe we are eligible for. I have set them aside while I gather the documentation needed and have a discussion with the leadership team on a strategic plan to steer the grant applications. These grants will not only provide funding but will build capacity and long-term community impact through strategic partnerships and scalable systems.

I recently drafted a presentation on Business Operations for Military-Spouse Entrepreneurs: 

• Compliance

• Structure

• Mobility

This presentation was a compilation of the challenges and lessons learned by military spouse entrepreneurs. It draws from two decades of personal experience and resources. Of course, this information and the resources have changed over time, but I thought it was important to share them as helpful tips for Homefront Hustle mentees. Knowing about and understanding the various business structures is important. Once a business structure is determined, research on registration requirements is crucial. Unfortunately, it is not straightforward. Look at the state, county, and city or locality levels. Aside from business registration, permits may also be required. These basics help build scalable systems and entrepreneurial resilience for portable careers.

As I mentioned in one of my first articles, Referrals Lead to Business at Home, I had employment challenges while overseas. As a way to process those struggles, I compiled a presentation called Employment Challenges of Military Spouses Overseas. It is important for spouses to understand that rules about employment or entrepreneurship are set in the Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA) or NATO SOFA. These regulations vary by host country, and employers are defined differently in each country. When I spoke with one particular company that I connected with at a virtual hiring event, they mentioned that I would need a working visa in the country we resided in because the organization had to worry about taxes in a foreign country if I were to become an employee. These challenges highlight the need for resilience and adaptability, and portable solutions.

These two presentations are something that I hope to share and post soon to offer guidance to interested spouses. They represent thought leadership and purpose-driven advocacy, drawing from real experience to support opportunity and long-term impact for military spouses. These small steps in business growth, profile updates, SEO progress, and leveraging LinkedIn tools remind me that intentional preparation during transition involves capacity building and strategic vision, even during time off. With SMSS advancing through board collaboration and grant opportunities, and these resources ready to empower spouses, I feel excited about the progress ahead. Together, we can create collaborative growth and collective impact.

Originally published on LinkedIn on February 23, 2026. [Read it here]