As a new entrepreneur, I had a dream.
I wanted to make a difference in the military community and felt the calling to create a blog and to start my own business. My husband assisted with picking out the name, and my good friends helped me with colors, fonts, and formats. Then I started writing. I learned quickly that in order to expand and make this “hobby” into a true business, I would need to begin cultivating relationships with others, market myself appropriately, and secure my business from the ground up.
The problem was, I had NO IDEA how to do this!
I remember sitting in my office late one night trying to write out an email pitch to send to a company I was dying to work with. But I stared at the screen in vain. I was frustrated because as a newbie to this process, I wasn’t able to articulate the words I wanted. I couldn’t come up with the format and all my words seemed to mumble together. However, being determined to finish before dawn, I pushed send anyway.
Needless to say, I didn’t get an answer.
When you start a new business, there are so many questions that come up. And those questions do not stop once you push the button and launch your business. Add in military life, and many times it can feel like your wheels are spinning and you are not moving. Legal, marketing, pitches, SEO, accounting—it never ends.
What I wanted and needed was a template. Someone or something to walk me through how to pitch, what to say, and how to say it. A place to learn from fellow military spouse entrepreneurs who have been down this same road I have; who have learned from mistakes; who have put in the work; people who want to help those newbies like myself.
Still flailing around, I took a leap and attended the Military Influencer Conference in 2019. I promptly met Moni and Flossie and was introduced to the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE). I was hooked! A community of military spouse entrepreneurs made BY military spouse entrepreneurs.
What AMSE Brings to the Table
Being a member of AMSE has a lot of benefits. From the expert masterclasses, group-coaching, private Slack channel, and even local chapter meet-ups, there is something for everyone. It does not matter whether you just opened your own business, or whether you have been doing this for a while but wish to expand. AMSE has a place for you at the table.
The part of AMSE that drew me in the most was the frameworks that all military spouse entrepreneurs need. This is exactly what I needed.
Not only am I able to access some amazing templates and checklists so I do not have to reinvent the wheel, but these even helped me see what the gaps were in my business and the areas I needed to focus on. I was able to tackle my marketing strategy, go back and clean up my financials, and create some pitches that focused on exactly what I can bring to the table.
And it has paid off!
Since joining AMSE, I have been able to secure opportunities I would have never known about. I have been able to collaborate with amazing fellow entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and companies who align with my brand and voice. I have moved forward with my original goals of wanting to make a difference in the military spouse community, which is all I have ever wanted.
How To Get Started
Ready for some resources you can’t find anywhere else? Want to take a quick dip without the commitment? At AMSE, everyone can be a member! With AMSE Freemium membership, you get access to all the templates and checklists, plus discounts and tools, a private Slack channel, community chapters, and access to the digital membership dashboard.
However, if you want to take your business to the next level and receive even more resources, AMSE also has the Premium membership which includes everything above plus monthly masterclasses, monthly virtual coworking opportunities, and monthly group coaching.
Don’t make the same mistake that I did. Don’t assume that there is no support and that you are doing this all on your own. And please do not send a pitch email when you are not sure what you are doing. Take advantage of the free resources that AMSE offers and take your business to the next level. I promise you will not regret it.
Sign up for AMSE’s Free membership and learn more about Premium membership here. We cannot wait to meet you!
Noralee Jones is a MILSO of 12 years, mom of 4, and writer/creator at Mrs. Navy Mama. Having experiences with 7 deployments, 4 PCS moves alone and the author of the Self-Care Guide for MILSOs, she is an expert on the importance of taking the time to focus on filling our bodies, minds, and souls with our individual needs in order to make the most out of our lives. She is also the Co-Author of The Newbie’s Guide to Military Life and focuses on supporting MILSOs through the ups and downs of military life through Mrs. Navy Mama. You can find her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
