Ahead of Remembrance Day, we are re-releasing one of the most poignant interviews ever recorded on The InDependent Spouse podcast. Host Jess Sands talks with the brilliant and inspirational founder, Nikki Scott, about the incredible journey that led her to create Scotty's Little Soldiers.

Nikki shares the intensely personal and heartbreaking story of losing her husband, Lee Scott, who was killed in Afghanistan. She discusses the immediate aftermath, including the difficult decision of leaving the married quarter and the emotional weight of his repatriation.

This conversation is a powerful exploration of grief, resilience, and the power of community, highlighting how Nikki transformed her pain into a mission to ensure bereaved British forces children can "smile again". We dive into the vital work of Scotty's Little Soldiers and how they support military children who have lost a parent, regardless of how they died.

Key Takeaways & Discussion Points

The Birth of Scotty's Little Soldiers: The idea was born on a family holiday nine months after Lee's death, when Nikki saw her 5-year-old son, Kai, smile and laugh again. This was her 'wake-up call' and the moment she realized she needed to help other children who had experienced the death of a parent who served.

The Mission: Helping Them Smile: Scotty's Little Soldiers is dedicated to supporting all bereaved British forces children from the Armed Forces community.

Support: An online bereavement service and resources to help families before they reach crisis points.

Lee's Legacy: Nikki remembers Lee, who was killed at age 26, as the fun parent and "everybody's friend" . She believes he would be "100% behind" the charity.

Scotty's Little Soldiers Website: Find information, donate, fundraise, or get support - https://www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk/

"Scotty's is something that we don't ever want to have to use, but to know that our children have that if they need it means so much."

Welcome to the final episode of Series 7! This week, I'm joined by Bekky, a Navy wife, mum of three, and a graduate from the Milspo Business Start-Up course.

Bekky shares her incredible journey from feeling lost and lonely as a new military partner to building her own thriving business, The Crafty Starfish.

We discuss the unique challenges military spouses face, such as frequent moves, deployments, and the general chaos of service life, and how she overcame them to create a business that is uniquely her own.Join us to hear Bekky share her inspiring story of overcoming the loneliness many new military partners experience to build her amazing business, The Crafty Starfish.

Discover how she navigated these obstacles to create something truly special!

Ready to start your own business?

Are you a military spouse, partner or other-half with a brilliant idea, a hidden talent, or a burning desire for something of your own?
Perhaps you've felt the loneliness of a new posting or the challenge of balancing your career with the demands of military life?
Maybe you've put your dreams on hold, telling yourself there's "never a right time" to start?

It's time to change that narrative.

Our free Business Launch Accelerator course, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the Ministry of Defence, is designed specifically for you. It's the course Jess wished she had when she started.

We will help you navigate the unique challenges of building a business around military life, from legal structures to managing deployments, to asking permissions, and sorting that mindset - giving you the best start to your business life!

It's a real opportunity to connect with a community of like-minded people who understand exactly just what military and business life entails. It's your chance to do something for you, to build a career that moves with you, and to show your family how truly epic you are.

Don't miss this chance to save your seat. The next cohort starts in September, after the summer chaos is over. Applications are open now until September 10th. All you have to do is take that first step, just like Bekky did.

Find out more and apply at www.milspo.co.uk/course. We can't wait to welcome you!

Episode Highlights:

• The Struggle for Belonging: Bekky opens up about the isolation she felt as a military partner and her search for a community that understood her experiences beyond just the military.
  
  

• The Genesis of an Idea: Discover how a personal love for sewing and a desire for a flexible career led Bekky to start her business, making beautiful, high-quality, and unique clothes for children.
  
  

• Overcoming the Odds: Hear how Bekky navigated the complexities of launching a business while pregnant, during a global pandemic, and with her husband deployed. She shares how the Milspo business course provided the crucial support she needed to succeed.
  
  

• Progress Over Perfection: Bekky reveals how she shifted her mindset from striving for perfection to embracing progress, a key lesson that helped her get her business off the ground.
  
  

• Finding Your 'Why': Learn about the deeply personal reasons behind Bekky's entrepreneurial journey—creating something for herself, setting an example for her children, and proving that it's possible to build a career you love while navigating military life.
  
  

Connect with Bekky's Business, The Crafty Starfish: https://craftystarfish.co.uk/

Welcome back to The InDependent Spouse Podcast! In this episode, your host Jess Sands dives into the inspirational world of Major Jo Vann – a true multi-hyphenate who redefines what it means to juggle military life, motherhood, and a thriving business.

Jo is not only working full-time in the British Army with a serving husband and two children, but she also runs a stunning boutique hotel in Amesbury called "A Little Place." Jess was lucky enough to visit this beautiful Georgian property, which she describes as something out of a Jane Austen novel.

In this conversation, Jo shares how her military training, sporting background (including playing netball for England!), and a passion for people has equipped her to build an amazing business and team.

Key Takeaways from Jo:

• Build an Amazing Team: Jo emphasizes that her number one priority when starting her business was growing an incredible team, allowing her to minimise her day-to-day contribution because of the people running it.
  
  

• Lessons from Military and Sport: The teamwork aspect, learned through both her army career and sport, has been crucial. She highlights how collaborating with others brings in broader skills and makes you stronger.
  
  

• The Drive to Give Back: After her successful sporting career, Jo developed a passion for coaching, becoming the head coach of the UK Armed Forces netball team, driven by a desire to give back.
  
  

• The Motivation Behind "A Little Place": Her love for people and bringing them together, combined with a desire for stability during a challenging period of army life with children, led her to open the hotel. She also aims to offer a safe and comfortable escape for the military community near Salisbury Plain.
  
  

• The Power of the Reserves: Jo sheds light on how Armed Forces Reserves offer flexible commitment levels, complementary income, personal development, teamwork, and unique training opportunities for those balancing civilian careers or businesses.
  
  

• Embracing Bravery and Curiosity: Jo encourages listeners to test new ideas and not be afraid to try "brave things," even if they feel like too much on their plate. She reminds us that regret often comes from not taking opportunities.
  
  

This episode is a must-listen if you're feeling overwhelmed but need a powerful dose of inspiration to show you what's possible when you embrace challenges and build an incredible support system.

Connect with Jo Vann and A Little Place:

• Website: a little place

• Instagram (A Little Place): https://www.instagram.com/alittleplace_uk/

• LinkedIn (Jo Vann): You can find Jo on LinkedIn to learn more about her and the reserves - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-vann/

Connect with The InDependent Spouse Podcast:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milsponetwork/

• Find a Milspo Directory: Showcase your military spouse-owned business! https://findamilspo.co.uk/