For those in search of a career that fits around postings and the general comings and goings of their partner’s Army life, setting up and running a business from beneath your own roof is often seen as a ‘golden bullet’ solution.
Putting aside any stresses associated with being self-employed or becoming a franchisee, it comes with an array of obvious benefits – be it easy access to home comforts, a pleasurably short commute or being on-hand to tame toddlers or dote on your dog.
And the good news is that, if you are living in Service Family Accommodation, it is an option that is becoming easier to pursue. While you must still get authority from Pinnacle to do so, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) recently completed a review of the permissions process to ensure it is fit for purpose and adequately supports spouses and partners.
In a statement, DIO said: “Under the changes, those operating a business from home can expect to receive better and clearer communication from a named housing officer who can help answer their specific housing-related queries.”
Welcoming the news, Lucy Ritchie, AFF’s employment and training specialist, said: “I hope that, with this fair and consistent approach, it is one less barrier to employment for spouses and partners, and that more people feel encouraged to take the leap and set up their own business. Doing so can be a really rewarding career option that works well around military life and it is not a step you need to take unsupported. There are some fantastic organisations that can help you to become a successful entrepreneur and I encourage readers to check out AFF’s self-employment page at aff.org.uk for details.”
Flexible fitness
Amelia Lockey flexed her entrepreneurial muscle by launching The 21/90 Club, a fitness business specialising in one-to-one personal training and child-friendly bootcamps.
“I am fortunate to run most of my services from home, having converted our former dining room into a fully-equipped private gym,” she told Army&You. “Working from home gives me complete flexibility over my schedule. With no commute and the ability to continue sessions even when my children are off school, I can provide a reliable and adaptable service to my clients. Many of them feel more comfortable training in a home environment as it offers a welcoming and less intimidating alternative to large commercial gyms.”
Amelia runs several classes after collecting her children from school, meaning she doesn’t have to squeeze her working day into the hours between 9am and 3pm. “This setup allows me to maximise my earning potential while still spending valuable time with my children — without relying on before or after-school clubs,” explained the qualified gym instructor and personal trainer, who also offers remote sessions which can be booked via the21-90club.com.
“If you’ve been considering a similar setup for your own business, I truly encourage you to take the leap. It has been one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
Marketing expertise
Sophie Davies left a senior role with the National Trust to set up Your Marketing Department yourmarketingdepartment.co.uk),
with the aim of creating a business that worked around service and family life. “Military life asks a lot of us,” she said. “New postings, long absences, rebuilding routines from scratch. You learn to adapt quickly, steady yourself through uncertainty and keep your family anchored while everything around you shifts. “When my husband deployed with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary for months at a time, I realised I needed work that could move with our life. I wanted to be present for our daughter, but I also wanted a career I loved — something challenging, meaningful and mine.
“What I didn’t expect was realising that the greatest strength of my business would come from the military community itself. Every spouse and veteran I have worked with brought qualities shaped directly by service life: resilience, initiative, loyalty and an instinctive ability to problem-solve under pressure. Not despite our lifestyle, but because of it.
“Today, our team is entirely military spouse-led. When our marketing manager Hana was posted to Cyprus with 4 SCOTS, we adapted her working hours and carried on seamlessly. I’ve taken client calls from RFA Argus and worked remotely from ports around the country. We’ve facilitated digital marketing training for spouses and partnered with organisations like Recruit for Spouses to open more doors for our community.
“To every military spouse reading this: your experience and skills have real value. They have been shaped by a life that demands courage, adaptability and heart. Don’t underestimate what you bring.”
Tapping into travel
Rachel decided to turn her passion for globetrotting into a revenue stream by signing up to be an independent travel agent through a franchise. She now earns commission booking holidays for herself, friends and family.
In return for a set-up cost and monthly membership fee, she is provided with training and access to travel suppliers and a supportive community of like-minded peers. While her work can be scaled to a full-time job, Rachel uses the business to bring in a bit of additional income and is revelling in the flexibility of logging on wherever and whenever she wants.
“The best bit is that I am now in a really nice group of 200 other agents, and they are all so lovely,” she told Army&You. “They are a great support network and I am building friendships.”
Take care of yourself
Running a business from home can blur the boundaries between work and family life and can be an isolating experience so it is imperative that you remain mindful of your wellbeing, according to Lucy.
“Self-care is vital to ensure that you can ace your work and don’t burn out, and a support network can really help,” concluded the AFF specialist. “The Military Coworking Network (militarycoworking.co.uk) and milspo.co.uk are online communities for military spouses and partners that offer a great source of guidance and inspiration.”