Entrepreneurship is part of the American Dream and it is booming. A record 5.4 million new businesses were started last year, as workers across the country struck out on their own, searching for a different path to a fulfilling career and economic mobility. But that road isn't always a smooth one for some new business owners who hit roadblocks such as access to financial capital, lack of a strong social network, and other barriers to success.

In this special four-part Work in Progress podcast series – Economic Mobility Through Entrepreneurship – we’ll examine those headwinds and solutions. We'll hear directly from entrepreneurs, and get advice from leaders in business, education, and government – to learn how starting your own business can be a fulfilling and profitable career choice and a boon to a community.  

This podcast series is made possible through the support of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

When people join the military, they find clear duties and unwavering chains of command – essentially their career is mapped out for them. But when a service member leaves the military, they can struggle with deciding “what’s next?”

Many have learned valuable skills in the service, but it can be difficult convincing an employer that those skills will translate to a civilian job. Instead of looking for full-time employment, some veterans choose to strike out on their own, as entrepreneurs.

It’s a path that can also work for military spouses who face their own challenges finding work… because of gaps in their resumes caused by repeated redeployments with their loved ones. 

In this episode, you'll hear from entrepreneurs, nonprofit, education, and business leaders – all veterans and military spouses themselves – on mapping your own path to career success after your time in the military is over.

Guests in this episode:

Krystyne Wilson, founder, Sweet Peas Play Café

Barb Carson, managing director of programs and services, D'Aniello Institute of Veterans and Military Families

Joshua Wilson, corporate relationship manager, America's Warrior Partnership

Jason Murff, founder & CEO, Grill Your Ass Off

Vivian Greentree, SVP and head of global corporate citizenship, Fiserve

Camila Reyes Camacho, head of operations, Native Chats

Ikram Mansori, COO, VetsinTech

Mark Montefiori, founder, Mountain Flower Concessionaires

Episode 249: Veterans and Military Spouses: Mapping Their Own Career PathsHost & Executive Producer: Ramona Schindelheim, Editor-in-Chief, WorkingNationProducer: Larry BuhlExecutive Producers: Joan Lynch and Melissa PanzerTheme Music: Composed by Lee Rosevere and licensed under CC by 4.0Download the transcript for this podcast here.You can check out all the other podcasts at this link: Work in Progress podcasts