How Military Moves Impact Spouse-ly Vendors

Love and Lettering by Katie Business, Military Life military entrepreneurship, military small business, military spouse business, PCS season, PCS support for businesses, Spouse-ly vendors, vacation mode small shops 0

15Jul

Military moves are particularly challenging for small business owners.

Every few years, military families across the world pack up their lives and start fresh. A new duty station, a new address, a new chapter. But for military spouse entrepreneurs and active duty military small business owners, a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is more than just a move — it’s a direct hit to their business.

A PCS can bring:

Business disruptions
Lost momentum
Operational challenges
Emotional overwhelm

In our home, the challenge is doubled.

Both my husband — an active duty Airman — and I run businesses through Spouse-ly, the online marketplace supporting military and first responder families. That means during every PCS, we’re not only packing up a household and inventory, but we’re also managing two business transitions while supporting our kids through another major life change.

The Hidden Strain of PCS on Military-Owned Small Businesses

When you see a Spouse-ly shop on “Vacation Mode,” you might assume they’re taking a break or rebranding. But during the summer, it’s often something deeper: PCS season.

Behind that “paused” shop status is a business owner who’s navigating:

Boxing and relocating inventory
Updating state licenses and permits
Spotty Wi-Fi in hotels or temporary housing
Mail forwarding delays impacting shipping
Disrupted online traffic and sales momentum

Now multiply that by two for dual-business households like ours.

PCS moves test the resilience of military small business owners. From product-based shops to service-based businesses, every step of the PCS process impacts visibility, revenue, and growth. It’s not just logistics — it’s a complete recalibration.

Behind the Scenes: Our PCS from Virginia to Arizona

In our current PCS move from Virginia to Arizona, we’re doing our first full DITY move (Do-It-Yourself), also known as a PPM (Personally Procured Move).

That means:

We packed the boxes.
We loaded the trailer.
We’re handling customer service on the road.
We’re preparing our kids for a new home and new schools.

Our days look like:

Answering emails on unreliable hotel Wi-Fi
Updating product listings while registering kids for school
Managing SEO traffic even when offline
Balancing the emotional toll of starting over — again

For military entrepreneurs, “Vacation Mode” doesn’t mean checked out. It means checked in to what matters most — family, resilience, and keeping the dream alive.

Why “Vacation Mode” on Spouse-ly Deserves More Respect

Let’s reframe the narrative: when a Spouse-ly vendor puts their shop on hold, it’s not because they’ve lost momentum. It’s because they’re protecting it.

Spouse-ly vendors are navigating:

New state laws for their business
Personal and family transitions
Inventory reorganization
Mental bandwidth during change

They’re still committed, they’re still showing up. They’re just doing it in a different way during PCS season.

9 Easy Ways to Support Spouse-ly Vendors During PCS Season (Without Buying Anything)

You don’t have to make a purchase to make an impact. Here are small but powerful ways to support military-owned businesses during PCS season:

❤️ Save products to your wishlist — it improves visibility
💬 Comment on posts and reels to boost social reach
🛍️ Pre-order when available — helps vendors plan ahead
📌 Pin listings to Pinterest to drive long-term traffic
📣 Recommend shops in Facebook groups or gift threads
⭐ Leave a review, even for a past order
📷 Screenshot & share your favorite finds on social
✉️ Join their email list to stay connected post-PCS
🤗 Send a kind DM — your encouragement goes a long way

Military Life Doesn’t Pause — Neither Do We

Military life doesn’t come with a slow season. And neither do the businesses that serve it.

As military entrepreneurs, we’ve learned to rebuild from scratch — again and again. We don’t pause because it’s easy. We do it because it’s worth it.

Every time you support a Spouse-ly vendor — especially during PCS season — you’re doing more than shopping small. You’re sustaining a dream, supporting a family, and showing up for those who show up for others.