A Military Spouse Small Business Podcast: Owning Up cover art

A Military Spouse Small Business Podcast: Owning Up

A Military Spouse Small Business Podcast: Owning Up

Written by: Assoc. of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs®
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About this listen

 On Owning Up, we share true stories of entrepreneurship as told by those who best know the grind of starting, running, and owning a business while living the military life. Featuring AMSE CEO/Founder Moni Jefferson The Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE) was started in the summer of 2019. Through nationwide efforts, AMSE aims to elevate military spouse entrepreneurs to new heights. For more information about AMSE, visit www.amsemembers.com.Copyright 2025 AMSE® Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • From Frustration to Entrepreneurship

    From Frustration to Entrepreneurship
    Jan 20 2026

    In this episode of the Owning Up podcast, Moni speaks with Kera Sanchez, founder of MilSpo Social Magazine, about her journey as a military spouse and entrepreneur. They discuss the importance of community, collaboration, and support among military spouses, the challenges of starting a business, and the mindset shifts necessary for success. Kera shares her experiences with failure, time management, and the mission of her magazine to empower women and provide visibility to diverse voices in the military spouse community.

    Takeaways

    • Kera Sanchez emphasizes the importance of community and collaboration among military spouses.
    • Investing time is more crucial than financial investment when starting a business.
    • Failing fast is essential for growth and learning in entrepreneurship.
    • Women should not hesitate to share their stories and support each other in business.
    • Diversity in representation is vital for inspiring others in their entrepreneurial journeys.
    • Starting a business requires a vision, grit, and courage to overcome challenges.
    • It's important to embrace failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback.
    • Kera's magazine aims to provide visibility to women at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey.
    • Your story and business matter, and they can thrive even in military life.

    Learn more about Kera Sanchez and MilSpo Magazine:

    • IG
    • Website
    • Amazon Link
    • Issuu Link

    We love how our listeners support the mission of AMSE and the Owning Up podcast. As we continue to grow, advocate, and support military spouse entrepreneurs, we wanted to offer that same chance to you, our listeners. For only $5 - you can increase our reach within our community - locally, nationally, and globally. Visit Glow.fm/owningup to become an Owning Up supporter today!

    We'd love to have you join our fantastic community!

    • Join the ASSOC. OF MILITARY SPOUSE ENTREPRENEUR COMMUNITY: https://www.amsemembers.com/

    • Learn more about AMSE at www.amseagency.com
    • Follow Monika Jefferson on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook
    • Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook
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    46 mins
  • Finance Fridays & Done Lists: Building a Business That Fits Your Life

    Finance Fridays & Done Lists: Building a Business That Fits Your Life
    Jan 19 2026
    Finance Fridays & Done Lists: Building a Business That Fits Your Life Episode Overview Running a business as a military spouse means navigating PCS moves, deployments, and constant change. In this episode, we're ditching the hustle mentality and talking about what it really means to build a lifestyle business—one that adapts to YOUR life, not the other way around. Plus, our CEO, Moni Jefferson is sharing her exact weekly schedule structure and the game-changing approach to daily to-do lists that finally helped me feel "done." In This Episode What is a Lifestyle Business? A business built around your desired lifestyle, values, and season of life—not just maximum revenue. The key difference: You're optimizing for flexibility and fulfillment rather than scaling at all costs. Lifestyle Business Examples for Milspouses Virtual assistant services you can do from anywhere (PCS-proof!)Coaching or consulting with flexible scheduling around deployment cyclesDigital products like courses, templates, or printables that generate income during a movePhotography business where you control your booking calendarFreelance writing or social media management with location independence My Weekly Themed Day Schedule Monday - Admin & Alignment Day: Goal review, planning, organizing, and setting the week's toneTuesday - Forward-Facing Day: Client calls, podcast recording, anything that requires being "on"Wednesday - Deep Work Day: Strategy sessions, big projects, creative thinking—no meetings allowedThursday - Ad Hoc/Flex Day: Buffer for overflow, unexpected tasks, or whatever inevitably comes upFriday - Finance Friday: Invoicing, bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, budget review, all things money Weekends: Every other weekend, one half-day work session for flexibility without burnout Why Themed Days Work Themed days reduce decision fatigue, create momentum through batching similar tasks, make it easier to defer non-urgent work, and protect your energy and focus. The Daily To-Do List Strategy The problem: We finish our work list and immediately add more tasks—we never feel "done." The solution: Create your realistic daily task list in the morningOnce complete, STOP adding work tasksKeep a separate "Life List" for household projects, reading, hobbies, and rest activitiesTrain your brain that completion is real and creates space for life beyond workBonus tip: Try keeping a "done list" to acknowledge what you actually accomplished each day Key Takeaways Your business should serve your life, not consume it—and that doesn't make you less ambitious, it makes you strategicThemed days aren't about perfection; they're about reducing the mental load of constantly switching contextsFinishing your to-do list should feel like an accomplishment, not an invitation to add five more thingsMilitary life is unpredictable enough—your business structure should bring calm, not chaos We love how our listeners support the mission of AMSE and the Owning Up podcast. As we continue to grow, advocate, and support military spouse entrepreneurs, we wanted to offer that same chance to you, our listeners. For only $5 - you can increase our reach within our community - locally, nationally, and globally. Visit Glow.fm/owningup to become an Owning Up supporter today! We'd love to have you join our fantastic community! Join the ASSOC. OF MILITARY SPOUSE ENTREPRENEUR COMMUNITY: https://www.amsemembers.com/ Learn more about AMSE at www.amseagency.comFollow Monika Jefferson on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook
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    25 mins
  • January: MilSpo Entrepreneur Community Updates & Opportunities

    January: MilSpo Entrepreneur Community Updates & Opportunities
    Jan 16 2026
    Military Spouse Entrepreneur Community Update: January Welcome to the AMSE monthly update! Join Moni, CEO and Founder of the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs, as she shares everything happening this month inside the AMSE Circle—your verified community for military spouse business owners. In This Episode: 🎉 Big News: Military Spouse Entrepreneur Guide Issue 11 75,000 printed copies distributed across military installations nationwideAd space available starting at $250 (limited spots remaining!)Automatic inclusion for all members as of January 1st in the Military Spouse DirectoryCreated by military spouses, for military spouses, in partnership with Stars and StripesSubmit your photos for potential feature consideration! 🔐 Join the AMSE Community Free membership at amseemembers.comVerified through GovEx (similar to ID.me)Safe, vetted community exclusively for military spouses 📅 January Events - 6 Opportunities to Learn & Connect 1. Imposter Syndrome Reset Circle Host: Heather Jones (certified coach, military spouse & veteran)Explore the mind-body connection behind freezing, shrinking, and underchargingRecurring sessions: February 18, March, April, May 2. Hampton Roads Chapter Meetup Date: January 16, 8-10amLocation: Back Bay's Farmhouse (in-person)Chapter Leader: Christina Kimbrough, Founder of Free Life 3. Military Spouse Entrepreneur Open House Date: January 20Learn AMSE benefits and network with fellow military spouse entrepreneursRSVP via Eventbrite link 4. AMSE Leadership Lab: Lead Like You Mean It Host: Andrea Singas (certified coach)Discover leadership qualities you already have as a military spouse 5. DC Chapter Virtual Meetup: Reach Customers Online with Google Date: January 23Chapter Leader: Stephanie ShepherdOpen to entire AMSE community 6. Additional networking and learning opportunities throughout the month ✨ All Access Member Perks On-demand small business courses including Maria Elena's 3-part "Googleize Your Business" seriesVoxer coaching with Moni for real-time supportExclusive VIP intensive this monthAccess to the All Access LoungeMonthly CEO Power Hour guidance 👋 Welcome New Members! 13 new members joined in December—welcome to the community! Don't forget to introduce yourself in the intro thread. Resources Mentioned: Join AMSE: amsemembers.comMilitary Spouse Entrepreneur Guide ad inquiries: hereSubmit photos for the guide: hereChapter information and meetup RSVPs: Available in member portal We love how our listeners support the mission of AMSE and the Owning Up podcast. As we continue to grow, advocate, and support military spouse entrepreneurs, we wanted to offer that same chance to you, our listeners. For only $5 - you can increase our reach within our community - locally, nationally, and globally. Visit Glow.fm/owningup to become an Owning Up supporter today! We'd love to have you join our fantastic community! Join the ASSOC. OF MILITARY SPOUSE ENTREPRENEUR COMMUNITY: https://www.amsemembers.com/ Learn more about AMSE at www.amseagency.comFollow Monika Jefferson on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook Connect with AMSE: Ready to stop building your business alone? Join our verified community of military spouse entrepreneurs today and access events, resources, coaching, and a network that truly understands your journey.
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    14 mins
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