Jess Sands, MILSPO - PART 1
Jess Sands BA (Hons), the founder of MILSPO® Network CIC - military small business network, chats to our Sophie Woffenden (CIPD) Military 🪖 Spouse Head of People
Jess, passionate about supporting military spouses, partners and other-halves in starting and growing their own businesses, shares her journey from being a successful graphic designer for clients like Disney and Marks & Spencer to founding her own business, Design Jessica. Forced to pivot due to frequent relocations and a challenging job market for military spouses, Jess turned adversity into opportunity.
During the Afghanistan conflict, feeling isolated and in need of community, Jess started a local networking group. This initiative has grown into the award-winning MILSPO® Network CIC - military small business network, a global community of over 1,400 entrepreneurial military spouses, partners and other-halves.
Jess also hosts The InDependent Spouse podcast and authored 'Building Business Beyond the Magnolia Box – a guide for entrepreneurs living in a modern military world.' Her roles as a Milspo Ambassador on the MOD’s Partner Employment Steering Group and the COBSEO Cluster Group for Partner Employment underscore her commitment to this cause. In 2023, she was named a Points of Light Award Winner by the Prime Minister.
Listen to Jess's story of resilience and innovation, and be inspired by her dedication to helping military spouses and many others thrive in business.
And this is only PART 1!! Join us for Part 2 next week!