Podcast Summary
Monetizing Existing Resources with Airbnb: Airbnb provides an accessible side hustle for individuals to earn income by renting out their spaces, with minimal startup costs. Military spouses can also benefit from remote job platforms like Squared Away to achieve financial stability.
The sharing economy, specifically Airbnb, offers an accessible side hustle for individuals looking to monetize their existing resources. The podcast host, who writes books but struggles to do so at home, uses Airbnb to rent out her space and earn income while she's away. This requires minimal startup costs and is an attractive option for those new to the side hustle scene. Additionally, the episode highlights the employment challenges faced by military spouses and introduces Squared Away, a platform designed to help match military spouses with remote jobs. This episode underscores the importance of financial stability and the innovative solutions available to overcome common financial hurdles.
A business built on military spouse camaraderie: Michelle, a military spouse, founded Squared Away in 2017 as a virtual assistant business. Its unique selling point is a community of predominantly military spouses, providing support and connection in the face of frequent moves and deployments.
Squared Away was founded by Michelle, a military spouse who struggled to find employment despite her professional background. After being let go from her job when her husband deployed, she started her own virtual assistant business in 2017. What sets Squared Away apart is its community of predominantly military spouses. This community provides a built-in support system, as military spouses often lack the traditional family and friend networks due to frequent moves and deployments. Through Squared Away, members can celebrate homecomings, cry together during deployments, and share the challenges and triumphs of military life. The company's origins in overcoming adversity and the unique camaraderie of military spouses make Squared Away more than just a business, but a cherished source of connection and encouragement.
Supporting Military Spouses in Personal and Professional Growth: A company dedicated to employing military spouses provides services to help clients delegate tasks, enabling focus on personal and professional growth. Military spouse Morgan shares her progress in reducing debt and transitioning to full-time employment, crediting the company's support and flexibility.
The company, whose mission is to employ as many military spouses as possible, offers a wide range of services to help clients delegate tasks, both personal and professional, allowing them to focus on other aspects of their lives. Morgan, a military spouse, shared her progress since their previous conversation, including reducing her credit card debt and transitioning from part-time to full-time employment, which has enabled her to contribute more funds towards her wedding expenses. The company's support and flexibility have played a significant role in Morgan's ability to manage her financial and professional challenges.
Addressing assumptions about military spouses in hiring: Military spouses can overcome hiring obstacles by acknowledging potential time constraints and emphasizing their skills and ability to make an impact
Military spouses, like Morgan, face unique challenges when job hunting due to the transient nature of military life. Companies often assume military spouses will only be in a position for a short time, making them hesitant to hire. However, as Michelle, the founder and CEO of Squared Away, shared, addressing this issue head-on can lead to successful employment. By acknowledging the potential time constraint and emphasizing their skills and ability to make an impact, military spouses can overcome this obstacle and secure meaningful employment. Michelle's company, Squared Away, has seen the positive impact of this approach firsthand, helping military spouses find jobs and thrive in their careers despite the challenges.
Finding Strength in Challenges as a Military Spouse: Reach out for help, build a network, ask for opportunities, and trust that challenges can lead to growth and new resources.
What may seem like a weakness or challenge, such as being a military spouse, can actually be a source of strength and opportunity. Michelle's experience shows that reaching out for help and building a network of supportive people is crucial, especially in the military spouse community. Asking for help can lead to new friendships and resources. Squared Away, a financial services company, is an example of a workplace that values military spouses and offers opportunities for employment. Michelle's journey began when she asked for help with her finances, and she encourages others to do the same. Despite initial reservations about marrying into the military, Michelle's experience has shown her that everything happens for a reason and that with the right support, challenges can be overcome.
Think creatively to overcome job search challenges: Explore unique job opportunities, reframe challenges as strengths, and invest in yourself to increase chances of finding a fulfilling career
When facing challenges in your job search, it's important to think creatively and consider alternative options. Morgan, a character from today's episode of Money Rehab, shares her experience of struggling to find employment due to her circumstances. However, she overcomes this by researching remote jobs and discovering opportunities that cater to her specific needs. Similarly, if you have a challenge like dyslexia, look for jobs where communication is mostly verbal. Utilize online communities to help brainstorm job ideas and remember that what may seem like a weakness can actually be a strength. By exploring unique job opportunities and reframing challenges as strengths, you can increase your chances of finding a fulfilling career. Additionally, it's essential to invest in yourself and believe in your potential. The Money Rehab podcast, produced by Iheartmedia, emphasizes the importance of taking the first step towards financial and personal growth. So, keep pushing forward, and don't let any obstacles hold you back from achieving your goals.
