{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/69b41ebf7ebe44dc8b172abb/6ab3d54c5ebd8b94fdeb68b3?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"083 : Why Military Spouses Are a Hidden Advantage for Business Growth with Heledd Kendrick","description":"<p>Welcome back to The InDependent Spouse podcast and the start of series 8! </p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, we&#39;re turning the clock back to look at where military spouse employment support really began, and just how far things have come since 2011 and 2018.</p><p><br></p><p>Host Jess Sands sits down with Heledd Kendrick, founder of Recruit for Spouses, to talk about building a purpose-led organisation from scratch, challenging some seriously outdated stereotypes along the way, and why looking after military spouses isn&#39;t just good for families - it&#39;s good for workforces and defence too.</p><p><br></p><p>Heledd shares how RFS grew from a simple idea into a foundation offering coaching, mentoring, wellbeing support and employer education. She&#39;s refreshingly honest about the lessons too: resilience, imposter syndrome, the power of networking, and how to keep going when business and military life collide.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Key topics</strong></p><ul><li>In this episode, Heledd explains how Recruit for Spouses began in 2011 after she searched for military spouse jobs and found almost nothing available.</li><li>She shares how early assumptions about military spouses, especially that they would not work or could only do certain roles, shaped her motivation to create change.</li><li>Jess and Heledd discuss how the pandemic accelerated remote working and helped shift perceptions of military spouses in the workplace.</li><li>Heledd makes the case that military spouses bring adaptability, resilience, and commercial value to employers, from small businesses to large companies like Virgin.</li><li>She explains the importance of moving beyond pity-based narratives and instead showing the contribution military families make to operational effectiveness and defence.</li><li>Heledd reflects on imposter syndrome, including ice baths, stand-up comedy, and singing from <em>Les Misérables</em> as part of a confidence course.</li><li>She shares a difficult financial moment when payroll was due and the business had only £2,000 in the bank, showing the reality behind growth.</li><li>The conversation explores why a clear North Star matters, including having a big vision even when the first goal feels small.</li><li>Heledd outlines RFS’s work supporting spouses into employment, including coaching and mentoring, wellbeing support, and work with foreign and Commonwealth spouses.</li><li>Jess and Heledd talk about networking as a practical skill, with Heledd sharing how late-night events and simple follow-up habits have led to real opportunities.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><p>00:38 — Heledd returns as Jess’s first guest and introduces RFS</p><p>01:51 — Being the original military spouse employment advocate</p><p>02:37 — The Google search that found no spouse jobs</p><p>04:28 — Community support that sparked the mission</p><p>06:27 — How the military spouse stereotype has changed since COVID</p><p>08:25 — Why RFS pitches spouses as business assets</p><p>10:58 — Imposter syndrome and the ice bath challenge</p><p>13:41 — Has the landscape for spouses really changed?</p><p>14:26 — Keeping the drum beating through business uncertainty</p><p>15:07 — The £2,000 bank balance and payroll pressure</p><p>17:08 — Why Heledd did not give up</p><p>18:01 — The first RFS vision and the importance of a North Star</p><p>20:55 — Looking back on how much the military spouse space has shifted</p><p>21:52 — Changing policies and increasing awareness</p><p>23:35 — Stronger family, stronger workforce, stronger defence</p><p>25:18 — What RFS actually offers spouses today</p><p>28:53 — Building a core team and stepping into strategy</p><p>29:48 — Networking at the right rooms and the right time</p><p>32:25 — How early networking built trust and opportunity</p><p>37:40 — Why practice makes networking easier</p><p>38:46 — The bravest lesson: optimism, trust, and never giving up</p><p>40:51 — Why Jess’s community and platform matter to spouses</p><p>41:36 — Where to find RFS and its coaching and mentoring support</p>","author_name":"Jess Sands : Podcast Host, Business Owner and military wife"}