This is NOT a sponsored post.
Let’s be honest: the military spouse community (and the rest of the online community at large) is awash in “experts” and “resources” when it comes to owning your own business. There are tons of organizations and people who specifically focus on the challenges and experience of owning your own business as a military spouse. While some of those experts and resources are great and definitely worthy of your time, there are many that give me pause for many different reasons.
Especially when you’re starting out, you want to be particularly careful who and what you give your time, money, and attention. It can be overwhelming at first– online anyone can be an expert and make their resume sound amazing. And you can’t do better until you know better.
No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, it’s important to choose, vet, and surround yourself with people and organizations that are legitimate and able to actually provide value to you– not just perceived value in snazzy buzzwords and feel-good memes.
After all, being an entrepreneur is tough, time-consuming work. There’s so much to do and, unless you have amazing angel investors, you’re probably the one doing at least most of it, if not all of it. Speaking from experience, you don’t have time for things that don’t serve you.
You also want to make sure that you’re getting the best information to be able to operate, improve processes, and ultimately, be successful.
Enter, Bunker Labs.
Bunker Labs
Bunker Labs is well-known in the military community as a non-profit focused on helping veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs be successful. Their three primary programs: Launch Lab, Veterans in Residence, and CEOcircle are created for the purpose of fostering growth, no matter where you are in your business journey.
Before the pandemic, some of these programs were only offered in-person. For military spouses and veterans who live in rural areas (like myself!), that made it harder to participate. In-person programs are hard for military spouses too– between childcare, PCSing, and life that can be unpredictable– there’s the possibility of starting something in-person and not being able to finish it. With the emphasis on online and socially distant options this year, Bunker Labs has opened an online version of their CEOcircle. Military spouses are encouraged to apply (which you can do right here).
CEOcircle
For the first time ever, the CEOcircle will have a military spouse cohort, which means you’ll be working with and learning from military spouses who “get it.” So what, exactly, is the CEOcircle? Open to CEOs and small business owners through application and by invitation, the program is a monthly meeting where members are surrounded with “resources, networks, and mentors they need to position their company for future success.” There’s an online and in-person option, which you can choose, depending on your location and your comfort-level with the pandemic. To apply, click here and fill out the form. Bunker Labs will be in contact with you after your submission.
