Military spouse businesses

Supporting a military career can be a job all on its own. Military spouses looking to start or grow a small business need help. For this reason, SBA offers the same flexible resources for spouses as we do for veteran business owners. Check out the Pathway to Success: Connecting the Dots with SBA webinar to learn about SBA resources for every part of the military spouse entrepreneurship journey.

SBA has programs available at over 180 locations and online. Read through to find what best suits your current needs:

• Military Spouse Pathway to Business 
  • Business ownership class specific to military spouses
  • For all military spouses
  • Offered virtually and in-person
• Boots to Business
  • Small business ownership basics, business plans, and resources
  • For spouses of active military members
  • Conducted on military bases
• Boots to Business Reboot
  • Same content as Boots to Business
  • Available to spouses of veterans, National Guard or Reserves members
  • Offered online or in local communities

SBA also funds training programs through grantees such as:

• Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE)
  • Education and support to learn business and management skills
  • Eligibility is limited to women that are:
    • Honorably discharged veterans of any military branch and service era, including National Guard and Reserve components
    • Active duty service members of any military branch, including National Guard and Reserve components
    • Spouses of above, including widowed spouses/partners
    • Offered online and in-person
• Utah Veteran Business Resource Center at Salt Lake Community College: Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship (STRIVE)
  • 10-week build-your-business course
  • For women who are spouses of active-duty military or veterans
  • Offered in-person (hybrid available for eligible students)
• ONABEN
  • Training focused on stages of business growth
  • For spouses in Native and Indigenous communities
  • Offered in-person and online
• Warrior Rising
  • Coaching and mentorship, including funding opportunities
  • For immediate family members of veterans
  • Online courses with in-person opportunities
• Veteran Entrepreneurial Training & Resource Network (VETRN)
  • Mentoring support with access to financing sources and a referral network
  • For family members of veterans and National Guard or Reserve members
  • 14 online classes

Military spouse entrepreneurs can apply for any SBA-guaranteed loan. Explore our loan programs to find the best loan for your business. To receive a list of authorized lenders in your area, use our Lender Match tool.

SBA also has low-interest loans to help you recover from a disaster. 

These programs help certain small businesses access federal contracts. Read on to see if you qualify.

• 8(a) Business Development program
• HUBZone program
• Small Disadvantaged Businesses
• Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract program

SBA provides one-on-one counseling nationwide. Find an SBA resource in your local community.

• SBA District Offices
• Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Program
• Women’s Business Centers
• Small Business Development Centers
• SCORE

If you’re on LinkedIn Groups, join Military Spouses and Entrepreneurship. Connect with owners, experienced mentors, and DoD-certified counselors.

If you have questions, contact us at:

Office of Veterans Business Development
409 3rd St. SW, Suite 5700
Washington, DC 20416

Phone: 202-205-6773