Military spouse entrepreneurship can be the answer to what career is compatible with the military. Starting your own business is a way to ensure you don’t have to look for a new job come PCS time. However, sometimes it’s more challenging to move a business than start one.

Lauren has always been the kid that loved organization. As soon as she learned the alphabet, she organized her families Disney tapes. So it made all too much sense when Lauren became a Certified Professional Organizer. And she’s got plenty of advice for fellow military spouses.

You don’t have to go overboard, but it’s easy to lose your marbles if you don’t have a jar to put them in. When PCSing – start earlier than you think you should and have a good checklist. Even if you aren’t PCSing – act like you are, so you can stay on top of things. Lastly, have a weekly family meeting to stay organized – go through schedules, finances, and bucket list items of what you want to do in the area.

Lauren Weldon May is a Certified Professional Organizer, Army JAG spouse, and toddler mom living in Vicenza, Italy. After 8 years as a professional organizer working with hundreds of clients and personally navigating two PCS moves in less than a year (during a pandemic with a baby who became a toddler!), it’s safe to say Lauren knows a thing or two about moving. PCS’ing to Italy would be her biggest organizing challenge yet — a house hundreds of square feet smaller than her family’s typical home without a single closet.

She has spent over 3,000 hours organizing hundreds of clients since she started her company in 2013. While Lauren loves to organize any space from playrooms to closets for clients from all walks of life, her primary focus is on military family organization as well as paperwork processes and systems. 

Listeners, if you would like to see more of what Lauren is up to, check out her website here or connect with her on social media via Facebook or Instagram.

Resource Recon with Sarah P. and Cori

Today we are showcasing a blog written by MilitaryByOwner Advertising Inc  called 7 Fall Organizing Tips for Holiday Prep:

For some, this is the year you’re ready to invite friends and family to celebrate the holidays. For others, you’re just looking to stay ahead of the holiday crush from your immediate circle. Either way, there’s definitely calm in the chaos if you add a little holiday prep and organization to the mix this fall. 

Use these tips to help you get ready for the holiday season; no matter if you’re preparing for four, eight, or 12, there’s helpful advice curated just for you. 

Empowerment Patrol Report with Amanda B.

Today we are showcasing our AWN Empowers – Hope for the Warriors. Which was nominated as an organization for supporting milspouses.

The mission at Hope for the Warriors is we believe those touched by military service can succeed at home by restoring their sense of self, family, and hope. Nationally, Hope For The Warriors provides comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans, and military families that are focused on transition, health and wellness, peer engagement, and connections to community resources. Hope For The Warriors understands the challenges, pride, and joy of being a military family. For today, tomorrow, and years to come, we will strive to meet the changing needs of service members and their families. They offer so many programs and services and have a lot of ways that you can get involved. So be sure to check them out at hopeforthewarriors.org. 

Thank you again so much to Hope for the Warriors for doing your part to empower military families all across the globe.

News 6 with Jolene

Here is this week’s News 6 mashup of stories for the week of Nov. 8, 2021, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt:

Federal Travel Regulation (FTR); Applicability of the Federal Travel Regulation Part 301-13 to Employees Who Are Nursing

Federal employees who are also nursing mothers have been granted special travel accommodations. The Office of Government-wide Policy recently announced new guidance on employees who breastfeed. The policy now allows for travel to be paid for a caregiver, such as a spouse, family member or nanny, to travel with the mother and child in order to maintain nursing. If no additional caregiver is needed, costs to ship or store breastmilk to the child may be covered. Questions can be addressed to Jill Denning at (202) 208-7642 or via email at travelpolicy@gsa.gov. Read the full notice at federal register.gov.

Career Forward from Hiring Our Heroes

Career Forward, a new initiative from Hiring Our Heroes, is a free program for veterans and military spouses hoping to learn new skills and get connected with employers. Through Google Career Certificates, you can learn skills through online, flexible training with no prior experience required. The training can be completed in three to six months plus participants will receive individual support from Hiring Our Heroes staff. Once you have earned your certificate, Hiring Our Heroes will connect you with employers who are ready to hire. Apply online at Hiring Our Heroes.org

This Veterans Day, Join Lowe’s and Honor Our Nation’s Military by Creating a Blue Wreath

On November 4, Lowe’s launched a campaign to show support for veterans by hanging a blue wreath on your front door. The new #BuildThanks campaign is just one more way that Lowe’s honors military members. When shopping at Lowe’s watch for veteran parking. Additionally, active duty, retired and military veterans are eligible for a 10 percent discount in store. Ask at your local Lowe’s to learn more. Check out the full story here.

Trees for Troops

Trees for Troops is gearing up for their 17th season of donating fresh Christmas trees to troops around the world. To date, over 265,000 fresh, farm-grown Christmas trees have been to military members and families by farms and local sponsors. This year, members of the public are encouraged to join in through purchasing trees from participating tree farms and donating the tree to the program. You can find official locations to purchase and donate trees by visiting treesfortroops.org. Additionally, donors are encouraged to write a holiday greeting to military families on a special tag that will be included with each gifted tree. For those seeking trees, check with your local MWR for tree delivery dates that will be announced later this month. Check out more here.

Thank You

Thank you for tuning into this week’s episode. Please leave a five-star rating and review on Apple podcasts, then send us a screenshot of your review to info@armywifenetwork.com or DM us on Facebook or Instagram @armywifenetwork to receive a special in-real-life gift as a thank you on behalf of AWN. We appreciate your engagement and support.

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