Free events to help military wives to start a business

Military spouses and partners can take their first steps towards running their own businesses with a series of free events across Wiltshire with the first on April 15 in Warminster.

Nine workshops will be held from mid-April to September close to the county’s military communities in Warminster, Ludgershall, Tidworth, Bulford and Royal Wootton Bassett, offering help, advice and inspiration to turn a spark of an idea into a viable business. Military spouses already running their own businesses will pass on tips and support.

Kate Forrest from The Enterprise Network said: “The informal coffee morning-style events would suit someone spotting a business opportunity, looking to earn money from a hobby or creative talent, or thinking of resurrecting their career by going self-employed.”

The Be Your Own Boss events are funded by Wiltshire Council through The Enterprise Network, which supports start-up and growing micro-businesses across Swindon and Wiltshire. The events will be run by Wiltshire Business Support Service.

Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We’re proud to be a military county and we recognise the economic value of having service personnel living and working in Wiltshire.

“These events will provide an excellent springboard to help inspire service leavers and partners of military personnel to launch their own business ideas with expert support and advice.”

The free Be Your Own Boss events are taking place from .30am until 12.30pm at the following locations:

• Warminster Community Centre April 15 
• Ludgershall Castledown Enterprise Centre April 22 
• Tidworth Garrison Theatre May 7 
• Tidworth Leisure Centre June 17 
• Bulford Beeches Community Centre June 24 
• Tidworth Garrison Theatre July 8 
• Warminster Community Centre July 15
• Royal Wootton Bassett Manor House Enterprise Centre July 17 
• Tidworth Leisure Centre Sept 23 

While the events are particularly suited to military spouses and partners and include free childcare, coffee and cake, anyone interested in taking a business idea further is welcome.

To book a free place, visit www.theenterprisenetwork.co.uk/civvystreet or for further information phone 01225 402096 or email events@wessexchambers.org.uk

Meet the wives!

Louise Carver retired as an RAF Wing Commander eight years ago and now runs her own learning and development consultancy Louise Carver Consulting. She will be sharing her experiences at the Be Your Own Boss events.

Going self-employed after 22 years serving in the military was a huge leap of faith for Louise, from Chippenham. “I did learn a number of lessons the hard way,” she says. “One thing I learned is that whether you’re serving or whether you’re a military spouse, you often underestimate the skills you have, your own organisational abilities and your resourcefulness.

“Every time you move, you almost have to do a SWOT analysis – what you need to sustain your family, to set up home, to sort out suitable childcare and to make the most of the job opportunities available.

It involves being organised, good time management, the ability to engage successfully with people from different backgrounds and often from different cultures. And all of these are transferrable skills.”

Entrepreneurial military wives are in the perfect position to launch their own businesses, says Kristen Smith, with passion. And she should know. For Kristen has built up highly successful – and rapidly expanding – international specialist healthcare recruitment consultancies, Staff Medical Ltd and Insignia Global Partners, recruiting nurses across Europe to work in the UK. And she does it all from the family quarters at Tidworth.

“Your partner is the main breadwinner, you are in quarters with all the support you need: you have nothing to lose,” she says.

“Even with inevitable childcare challenges, if you run your own business, you can fit your work around the children. That’s one of the best things about being your own boss, you set the rules; you create your own dreams because you aren’t reliant on anyone else.

“If you have a business idea, there’s lots of help in Wiltshire to turn that into reality; and if your partner’s military job is under threat, knowing there’s a second income can really take the pressure off. Military wives know what it is like to manage on their own – stepping up into running a business just needs a great idea and a bit of confidence that you can do it.”

Dog lover Michelle Chisnall left behind Army life to set up an award-winning business – and she’s never looked back. She set up her successful dog grooming salon Divine Dogs at home seven years ago and her salon has since gone from strength to strength.

Michelle, from Durrington, welcomes The Enterprise Network’s Be Your Own Boss events – she knows how challenging it can be turning your own passion or a spark of an idea into a viable business.

“There are definitely pros and cons. You are your own boss, which is an amazing feeling – but there are other factors to consider, such as not getting paid for sickness or holidays.

“But I absolutely love it. I’ve got continuous bookings and my business is expanding – and I just love the satisfaction of knowing that this is all mine and I’ve built it up myself.”

She says: “If you’re thinking of going self-employed or starting your own business, it can be really daunting taking that first step. There is so much involved so it’s always a good idea to make the most of business support when it’s available.”

Military spouse Mel Bourner has launched her own boutique – and it’s all online so she can run it from wherever her husband’s next posting takes her. She came up with her business idea while stationed at Bulford in Wiltshire with husband Shane – a driver in the Royal Signals.

The business Isobel’s Boutique came from her love of vintage dresses. “I’m really short with a big bust so I could never find clothes to fit me,” she says.

“Then I discovered vintage dresses and they really suited me – and that’s where I got the idea for the business.” Setting up a traditional high street shop was out of the question given the transitory nature of military life.

“So far in the past year we have moved three times, so selling my dresses online is ideal. There’s always the possibility that I might have to move again – with the military you have to take each day as it comes. But even if we suddenly gets a posting in Cyprus, I can carry on running my business.” Mel now lives at Blandford Camp.

Julie Hutchison has taken the skills she developed in her career as a police officer and uses them to help growing businesses.

Julie from Old Sarum in Wiltshire founded her leadership coaching business JH Transforming Performance in 2013.

She also juggles her work with being a mother-of two and an Army spouse – husband Ronnie is a Squadron Sergeant Major with the Royal Engineers at Perham Down in Wiltshire.

Going self-employed has allowed Julie to make the most of her skills and experience, while also giving her more flexibility for family life.“I love being master of my own destiny,” she says.

“I know that if I fail, I fail – but if I succeed, that’s all mine. And I can choose how and when I work.” Julie will be sharing her experiences at the Be Your Own Boss events.