NORFOLK, Va. – For some military spouses, orders to Virginia may mean a job search, but the modern gig economy might mean they get employment more quickly and easily.
A report sponsored by Wells Fargo and conducted online this spring by the Harris Poll shows that military service members, their spouses and partners depend on the gig economy to supplement their household income.
The survey commissioned by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling — a nonprofit dedicated to improving people's financial well-being — indicates that while military life presents a challenge to many when it comes to landing and maintaining private sector employment, the gig economy has helped to make a difference.
Nikki James Zellner
Nikki James Zellner worked a side job before she opened her own business earlier this year.
For Zellner, the creation of her virtual business, Where Content Connects, was a long time coming.
"I had worked almost a 16- to 18-year career in corporate media," said Zellner whose background is in advertising, marketing and editorial development. "I had a very well-established, lucrative career prior to having children."
Her consultancy helps women, solopreneurs and small teams tell their stories and connect with the right people. Zellner credits the Milspo Project, a nonprofit that empowers and educates military spouses, entrepreneurs and leaders, with helping her move from her corporate job to her side gig to business ownership.
Many military families move every two to three years. "You don't know if you're going to be relocated to a state that'll have viable employment for you," Zellner said. "You don't know if you're going to have to change your licensing or go through the licensing process just to stay in a place for a year."
