From White House to $100M Empire: Lauren Weiner's Unruly Path to Breaking Every Business Rule | Military Spouse Entrepreneur Success Story
A Military Spouse Small Business Podcast: Owning Up
Release Date: 06/27/2025
Let's get visible workshop with Kera Sanchez & Moni Jefferson
A Military Spouse Small Business Podcast: Owning Up
Let's Get Visible Workshop If your ideal customer doesn't know you exist, it doesn't matter how great your business is. In this workshop episode, we break down five proven, actionable strategies military spouse entrepreneurs can use to get seen, build credibility, and connect with the people who actually want to buy from them — no matter how many times you've moved or restarted. Key Highlights Media features: how to pitch your story to local news, magazines, and blogs — and the follow-up step most entrepreneurs skip. Networking groups: why being an active member (not just a member) of...
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Your Seat at the Summit: Laura Early on Why It's Worth It
A Military Spouse Small Business Podcast: Owning Up
Empowering Military Spouses: Inside the More Than a MilSpouse Summit Laura Early — friend of the show and fellow entrepreneur — joins Owning Up to talk about the upcoming More Than a MilSpouse Summit and why being in the room matters for military spouses building businesses. From summit updates to the power of community and networking, Laura makes the case for why every spouse's story and presence counts. Key Highlights The More Than a MilSpouse Summit is now set for October 9–10 at Dallas College, after a venue change from the National Medal of Honor Museum. Founders First Capital...
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Behind the Brand: More Than a MilSpouse Summit
A Military Spouse Small Business Podcast: Owning Up
Note: This is a cross episode promotion. Make sure to tune into A special thank you to Blubrry for supporting this episode and Wendy’s presentation at the More Than a MilSpouse Summit. Blubrry is a podcast hosting and media publishing platform that helps creators launch, grow, and monetize their shows. This episode is dedicated to the late Todd Cochran, founder of Blubrry, a retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer and a true pioneer in podcasting. His support for military creators and entrepreneurs continues to make an impact. In this special Behind the...
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Build It Bold: The Ultimate Military Spouse Summit 2026
A Military Spouse Small Business Podcast: Owning Up
Episode Overview Moni shares the exciting details of the upcoming More Than A Milspouse Summit, emphasizing its unique value for military spouses and entrepreneurs. She discusses the event's purpose, structure, key partners, and the theme 'Build It Bold,' inspiring listeners to participate and connect. Key Topics Event details and venue at the National Medal of Honor Museum The importance of networking and meeting new people Partnerships with organizations like Business Beyond the Battlefield, Wise Advice and Assist, Transition Mill Spouse, and MilSpo Social Theme 'Build It Bold'...
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Choosing Joy in the state of chaos
A Military Spouse Small Business Podcast: Owning Up
Episode Overview Moni, the founder of AMSE, shares a heartfelt message of encouragement for military spouses navigating chaos, grief, and joy during turbulent times. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, faith, and protecting one's peace while continuing to build their businesses and lives. Takeaways You have permission to keep going despite chaos. Joy and grief can coexist; it's part of being human. Protect your peace by disengaging from negativity. Your mission and purpose still matter in tough times. Faith provides hope and strength in adversity. Resources Purchase More Than...
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Level Up Your Business with AI: Military Spouse Entrepreneur Guide Issue 11
A Military Spouse Small Business Podcast: Owning Up
The Military Spouse Entrepreneur Guide is back with its 11th issue, and this one is all about AI — specifically, how military spouse entrepreneurs can use AI tools to simplify, scale, and streamline their businesses. In this episode, we are diving into what makes this issue so valuable, why contributing to the guide is a game-changer for your visibility and credibility, and how you can use AI in your day-to-day operations without feeling overwhelmed by the tech. Plus, we are talking about what is coming next — the 12th issue and the More Than a Military Spouse Summit. If you are a...
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Sober, Social & Thriving: Free Life Revolution
A Military Spouse Small Business Podcast: Owning Up
Episode Overview: In this powerful episode, host Moni sits down with Christina Kimbrough, founder of Free Life and AMSE Hampton Roads Chapter Leader, to explore her mission to revolutionize how we socialize. With 54% of Americans choosing not to drink—the lowest rate since Prohibition—Christina is creating inclusive, alcohol-free spaces where connection and celebration thrive without the pressure to drink. From mobile bartending with non-alcoholic beverages to intentional gatherings, Free Life proves that fun, friendship, and authentic connection don't require alcohol. Key...
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Reclaiming Yourself: Stephani Shepherd on Self-Care, Identity & Momentarily Gone
A Military Spouse Small Business Podcast: Owning Up
Episode Overview: In this honest conversation, Moni sits down with Stephani Shepherd, founder of Great Life is a Must and AMSE DC Chapter Leader, to talk about something military spouses rarely give themselves—permission to take a break. Stephani's "Momentarily Gone" initiative is challenging the narrative that good moms sacrifice everything, proving instead that self-care isn't selfish, it's survival. From navigating the mental load of parenting to building a thriving chapter of military spouse entrepreneurs, Stephani shares practical wisdom on creating boundaries, communicating...
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Ignite Your Creativity and Community at Military CreatorCon
A Military Spouse Small Business Podcast: Owning Up
Episode Overview: In this inspiring episode of Owning Up, AMSE CEO and Founder Moni sits down with Marah Lago, cofounder of Military CreatorCon, to explore how this groundbreaking conference is transforming the landscape for military creatives. From its humble beginnings as a one-day event to becoming a thriving hub for storytellers, entrepreneurs, and innovators, Military CreatorCon offers something truly different—a community-first approach that prioritizes connection over competition. Discover what makes this event a must-attend for anyone in the military community looking to grow their...
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February: MilSpo Entrepreneur Community Updates & Opportunities
A Military Spouse Small Business Podcast: Owning Up
Episode Overview In this episode Moni highlights a dynamic lineup of February programming created specifically for military spouses. From leadership development and AI integration to conquering impostor syndrome and business strategy, these events provide practical tools, expert coaching, and meaningful connections. Whether you're launching your first venture or scaling an established business, this month offers opportunities to grow alongside a supportive community that truly understands the military spouse experience. Key Highlights Leadership development workshops tailored for military...
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Former White House staffer turned CEO Lauren Weiner joins us for an unfiltered conversation about ditching traditional rules to build a $100 million business empire. From quitting her prestigious government job to follow her husband to Italy (only to be told she couldn't work!) to landing the largest contract ever awarded to a woman-owned business in Special Operations history, Lauren's journey is pure entrepreneurial gold. We're diving deep into her new book "Unruly" and the game-changing strategies that military spouse entrepreneurs need to hear.
What You'll Learn
- How to turn career setbacks into business breakthroughs
- The "gray area" strategies that built a $100M company
- Why following traditional business rules might be holding you back
- Insider tactics for breaking into male-dominated industries
- The mindset shifts that transform obstacles into opportunities
Key Topics Covered
The Italy Awakening Lauren opens up about the gut-punch moment when she realized traditional career paths weren't built for military spouses - and how that frustration became the fuel for her empire.
Mastering the Gray Areas Get the behind-the-scenes story of Lauren's riskiest business move that had everyone questioning her sanity (spoiler: it paid off massively).
The $100M Rule-Breaking Formula Discover exactly how Lauren flipped conventional business wisdom on its head to hit nine figures - and why doing the opposite of "expert advice" was her secret weapon.
Cracking the Boys' Club The unruly strategy that helped Lauren secure the largest contract ever awarded to a woman-owned business in Special Operations (this story will give you chills).
Time Machine Wisdom Lauren shares the most savage advice from "Unruly" that would blow her former White House self's mind.
About Lauren Weiner
Lauren Weiner former founder and CEO of WWC Global, a company that reached $100 million in revenue by completely rewriting the rules of business. A former White House staffer turned military spouse entrepreneur, she's the author of "Unruly: Knowing When Rules Work, When They Don't, and When to Break Them." Her company holds the distinction of landing the largest contract ever awarded to a woman-owned business in Special Operations history.
Resources Mentioned
- Ready to get #Unruly with your business strategy?
Join our #milspouseentrepreneur book club - where we actually talk numbers, scaling, and succession planning (not just "finding balance") https://lnkd.in/eVaYNNAv
Kicking off with #Unruly to your CEO reading list - because your business education doesn't stop at basic marketing courses. Preorder July 1st 2025 https://lnkd.in/eF6Hgm9B
Show up ready to scale - we're done playing small and pretending our businesses are just hobbies.BONUS: Plus an awesome Unruly workbook to follow along with the book.Your business deserves the same respect as any Fortune 500 company. Let's start acting like it.
Connect with Lauren
We love how our listeners support the mission of AMSE and the Owning Up podcast. As we continue to grow, advocate, and support military spouse entrepreneurs, we wanted to offer that same chance to you, our listeners. For only $5 - you can increase our reach within our community - locally, nationally, and globally. Visit Glow.fm/owningup to become an Owning Up supporter today!
We’d love to have you join our fantastic community!
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Join the ASSOC. OF MILITARY SPOUSE ENTREPRENEUR COMMUNITY: https://www.amsemembers.com/
- Learn more about AMSE at www.amseagency.com
- Follow Monika Jefferson on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook
- Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook
Ready to go unruly with your own business? Grab Lauren's book "Unruly" and join our book club discussion [link]. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review - it helps other military spouse entrepreneurs find these game-changing conversations!