## Breadcrumb

-  Home 
-  Business Guide 
-  Grow Your Business 
-  Military Spouse Businesses 

## Section navigation

-  10 steps to start your business 
-  Plan your business 
-  Launch your business 
-  Manage your business 
-  Grow your business    -  Get more funding 
  -  Expand to new locations 
  -  Merge and acquire businesses 
  -  Become a federal contractor 
  -  Export products 
  -  Women-owned businesses 
  -  Native American-owned businesses 
  -  Veteran-owned businesses 
  -  Military spouse businesses 
  -  LGBTQ-owned businesses 
  -  Rural businesses 
  -  Minority-owned businesses 

# Military spouse businesses

----

## Content

----

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.

## Free training

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 
                  - Lift Fund (San Antonio)                      - Workshops, training and funding, including financial management tips and tools
                    - For women who are spouses of active-duty military or veterans in Texas
                    - Offered online and in-person 
                  - 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 

## Funding and capital

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. 

## Federal contracting programs

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

## Expert advice

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.

## Need help?

If you have questions, contact us at:Office of Veterans Business Development409 3rd St. SW, Suite 5700Washington, DC 20416

Phone: 202-205-6773