Is There Room for Home Based Business?

Earlier this month, Ann Marie at Household6Diva (one of Army Wife Network's featured bloggers!) wrote a blog post highlighted the challenges facing a military spouse who wished to be self-employed while their family is stationed OCONUS. Earlier this week, Army Wife Talk Radio welcomed Amy Robinson, Chief Marketing Officer of the Direct Selling Association and discussed the popularity of Direct Selling companies among the military community (find the full podcast here).

There have been numerous initiatives over the last decade aiming to address the employment concerns of military spouses. The military community is highly aware that the constant moves, unpredictable schedule and licensing/qualification variances all contribute to create the "perfect storm" for un-(and under-)employment.

There is one aspect to the problem, though, that receives less attention: the challenges facing home based or self-employed spouses living OCONUS and in on post housing. In this difficult economic time, self employment and home based business have received an incredible amount of press. Army Wife Network has discussed mobile careers and self-employment many times from a variety of perspectives. But are the needs of these spouses being addressed on installations?

In particular, while assigned to a foreign country, spouses employment falls under the SOFA (status of forces agreement) which further complicates the matter. Additionally, in Ann Marie's case, her proposal to open an on location photography business was rejected because at one time AAFES was operating a photography studio.

Are you self-employed? Do you have a home based business? What opportunities and challenges have you faced combining self-employment and the military lifestyle?


The full article and a fabulous discussion can be read on Ann Marie's site, Household6Diva

Interested in what's been said on Army Wife Network? Check out:

Benefits of Working From Home

Can You Take Your Career With You When You PCS?

Being A Virtual Assistant

Mobile Careers