The Milspo® Business Network

The Milspo® Network is not like any usual business network; it’s about giving the partners of our brave Armed Forces personnel the means to live a better version of their military lives, with greater support, so that, in turn, they can support their serving person and our UK’s defence mission.

Military life can be a bit lonely sometimes, can’t it? Add running your own business and a pandemic into the equation, and there’s a chance you will be feeling even more isolated than ever! Thankfully, there’s a growing online community stuffed full of amazing business owners who always have your back.

The Milspo® Network is an inclusive online global community that supports all UK military spouses, partners, and other-halves (SPOs) to build successful and resilient businesses that can endure the nomadic forces life.

Since 2018 we have been networking, collaborating, and supporting each other to build posting-proof businesses that showcase how hard-working, dedicated, and inspirational our amazing community is. Although the Milspo® Network has its roots in business support, its strength and true meaning lie in the fact that it connects our isolated and dispersed community and inspires us to achieve something greater for ourselves. Our name reflects how inclusive the network is – Milspo® stands for Military Spouses, Partners, and Other-halves, so no matter which group you fall under, you will be very welcome to join us. Over the last five years Milspo® has expanded to become a family of over 1,300 and counting!

“I’m not sure I would have started my business without Milspo! The Milspo community has been instrumental in helping me grow my business and raising my selfconfidence alongside like-minded business owners that truly value connection over competition.”

As military partners we are often faced with shortnotice moves, long separations, and starting over. This transient and unpredictable life doesn’t fit well around traditional ideas of employment, which is why many of us have found the solution lies in the flexibility of selfemployment. But it is difficult to build an understanding client or customer base when you move every few years. Valuable business contacts and networks are lost with each posting. If a business fails, it just reinforces feelings of isolation and low self-worth. That is where the Milspo® Network comes in. It provides vital support to militaryspouse-run businesses, but more than that, it provides a place to belong that can move when you do.

“It is the constant in my evermoving, ever-changing, surroundedby-packing-tape, magnolia-walled nomadic life. For that, I thank you.”

OUR SOLUTION – ONLINE SUPPORT

Milpso® runs regular free virtual events that can be accessed by our members from anywhere in the world. We organise casual meet-ups, formal networking events, expert workshops, annual events, and business support that is not limited by location, enabling Milspo® members to share experiences and champion each other to achieve their dreams no matter where they are posted. Members also have opportunities to share their company, work on their business goals, and support others who can learn from their business or military journey.

“Milspo has been essential in getting my business off the ground. The people I have met throughout the world have given me their time, knowledge, and support, which would have been a lot harder to come by had it not been for Milspo.”

OUR #MILSPOMOVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND OUR FINDAMILSPO.CO.UK BUSINESS DIRECTORY

The Milspo® Movement is a grassroots campaign on a mission to encourage everyone to support, value, and buy from the entrepreneurial spouses, partners, and other-halves of the serving UK Armed Forces. Milspo® has been highlighting the value that our members can bring to everyone, particularly our wider Armed Forces and their contribution to the UK economy. Our business directory, www.findamilspo.co.uk, has been built to answer a question that we get asked a lot: How can we support Armed Forces families? Our answer is simple – by directly supporting the spouses, partners, and other-halves of serving UK military personnel.

Now, for the first time, anyone can access this network of amazing Milspo® business owners who will provide a top-notch service, and share the same ethos as their serving military partners. In turn, when people choose to #shopmilspo, they will be directly supporting Milspo® businesses and, on a greater scale, supporting the UK defence mission.

“Signing up to the findamilspo directory was so quick and easy to do. Just five minutes and I know my business is going to get increased visibility to those of us that like to support the amazing Milspo® businesses that are out there − I’ve already had my first enquiry through the site!”

COME AND JOIN US

The Milspo® team is made completely of SPOs who understand exactly what life as an entrepreneurial military partner can involve. We would love you to join our friendly community so that you can build the business you deserve. Head over to our main website, www.milspo.co.uk, for more information. Or, to find inspirational business owners to work with, check out our directory: www.findamilspo.co.uk – we can’t wait to meet you!

hello@milspo.co.uk www.milspo.co.uk MilspoNetwork milsponetwork

“It is overwhelming to know that we have been able to positively influence more than 1,500 Armed Forces families who have gone on to start their business journey, with many now entering their third and fifth year of trading. We look forward to enabling hundreds more this year to achieve their ambitions and turn their bright ideas into real business opportunities.”