Military spouses often start over in new cities and schools, with new expectations. For many, their careers have been on hold for a long time due to frequent moves, childcare gaps, and hiring bias. But that’s changing. Milspouses are carving out spaces that work for them and cashing in on them - BIG!

More and more spouses are earning portable income through businesses and freelance work, gaining independence and confidence along the way, sometimes out-earning their partners. Each story here highlights a unique path to a portable, spouse-created career.

Do any of them speak to you? Yours could be the next story written about, setting the pace for fellow spouses to follow suit with encouragement, inspiration, and confidence.

Here are nine real military spouses who have done it, and tips for how you can start today.

The Etsy Empire Builder

Marine spouse Dylan Jahraus unexpectedly became an e-commerce expert. In just two months, she made over $10,000 a month from her Etsy shop. Within a year, her business reached six figures, proving that targeted products and smart SEO can succeed on Etsy. Now, she earns over $1 million annually coaching others and selling digital products.

“Two months later, we’re doing over $10,000 a month… We made six figures in the first year,” said Dylan Jahraus.

What works: Niche products, keyword strategy, and repeat buyers.

What doesn’t: Relying only on trends or underpricing.

How to start today: Choose one product and optimize for Etsy SEO before you scale.

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The Virtual Assistant Who Built a Company

After facing hiring discrimination as a military spouse, Michelle Penczak created her own opportunity by starting Squared Away, a virtual assistant agency. The business now earns millions and employs military spouses nationwide. What began as a side hustle has grown into a successful company built on recurring contracts and remote teamwork.

When asked about setting up other milspouses for success, Michelle explains,

“I knew there were so many military spouses who felt like me, and I wanted to hire every single one.”

What works: Recurring retainers, remote teams, and task specialization.

What doesn’t: Saying 'yes' to anything and everything without structure.

How to start today: Package three services (inbox management, scheduling, or executive support), and pitch them as monthly contracts.

The Freelance Writer Earning Six Figures

Navy spouse Laura Briggs pivoted from education to freelance writing and digital consulting, eventually reaching six figures in under two years. Her work for publications such as Business Insider highlights her journey.

Freelance writing is portable, profitable, and flexible. It has become a lifeline for spouses who can’t work in a traditional office because of PCS moves or childcare needs.

What works: Picking a niche like cybersecurity or HR tech.

What doesn’t work: Cold-pitching without showcasing relevant samples.

How to start today: Build three writing samples, and pitch five leads each week.

Real Estate Built for PCS Moves

Army spouse Tonya Towles launched The PCS Pro Team to help families relocate. Her business has aided over 3,000 moves and created more than 100 jobs for spouses and Veterans, a model of purpose-driven work in the military community.

What works: Understanding military-specific needs like VA loan timelines and Basic Allowance for Housing budgets.

What doesn’t: Building solo without support or systems.

How to start today: Earn the Military Relocation Professional credential and start building a base-specific relocation guide.

The Spouse-Owned Brand That Landed a Shark

Army spouses Cameron Cruse and Lisa Bradley started R. Riveter to create portable jobs for military spouses. Their handbag brand now employs spouses nationwide through a remote production model that blends purpose and community growth.

What works: Mission-led branding and shared ownership.

What doesn’t: Ignoring operations as demand grows.

How to start today: Launch one hero product with a built-in story, and start with pre-orders to de-risk costs.

The Transaction Coordinator Behind the Scenes

Military spouse Whitney Farley works remotely as a transaction coordinator, assisting agents with document management, deadlines, and client communication. Her role shows that real estate careers can be flexible and portable for spouses.

What works: Per-contract fees and repeat clients.

What doesn’t: Working too many one-off jobs without retainers.

How to start today: Learn common contract workflows and pitch realtors on flat-rate packages.

Bookkeeping for Small Businesses

Detail-oriented spouses are building remote bookkeeping businesses with monthly retainers and steady clients. Melissa Broughton teaches spouses to create bookkeeping businesses that can scale to six figures.

What works: Choosing one niche (like contractors or creators).

What doesn’t: Only doing tax season work.

How to start today: Get certified in QuickBooks or Xero and build a starter package around monthly support.

Photography That Moves With You

Military spouse photographers are finding success at bases like Minot and Fort Bragg by using local search engine optimization, such as “Fort Drum newborn photographer,” and offering popular services like mini sessions and on-base photo days. Photography is one of the most PCS-proof careers, especially when combined with digital files, online galleries, and seasonal marketing.

What works: Offering seasonal mini sessions, boudoir, newborn, or holiday shoots.

What doesn’t: Ignoring post-session sales like albums and prints.

How to start today: Build a base-specific website page and promote it in local spouse groups.

SEO and Digital Strategy

Air Force spouse Tabitha Meisenzahl shows how spouses can enter the tech field. After leaving nursing, she learned search engine optimization and started a consulting business that helps small businesses and nonprofits nationwide. She proves you don’t need a traditional tech degree to succeed in digital strategy. Curiosity, a niche, and measurable value are what matter most.

What works: Offering tangible deliverables like a 90-day SEO plan.

What doesn’t: Marketing yourself only as a general virtual assistant.

How to start today: Sell a flat-rate SEO audit and build retainers from there.

Final Takeaway

Each spouse profiled in these stories built a portable, profitable career matched to their strengths. Their success came from refusing to settle. If you want to begin or grow a side hustle, the path is already there for you.

Your next move: Choose an idea. Create an offer. Try it for 90 days. For many spouses, that first email or Etsy listing made all the difference.

Side Hustles That Scale (What Works, What Doesn’t & How to Start)

Suggested reads:

• Quick and Delicious: 7 Easy Meal Ideas For Busy Military Moms
• Top Remote Careers For Military Spouses In 2025
• Money-Saving Tips For Military Spouses During PCS Moves