Jacqueline’s Journey from Entrepreneurship to a Thriving Career

Jacqueline, a military spouse and a member of the Armed Forces community for over 16 years, found herself at a career crossroads. After travelling extensively with her Army spouse for many years, Jacqueline decided to settle into civilian life with their children while her partner continued to serve.

CHALLENGE:

Despite having successfully started and managed her own award-winning business, she wanted to be part of a larger organisation where she could collaborate with others on a daily basis. However, the gap in traditional employment during those years left her feeling inadequate and uncertain about re-entering the workforce

Although Jacqueline’s entrepreneurial achievements demonstrated her capability, she struggled with the belief that she “hadn't worked for years”, which significantly impacted her confidence. She had secured a job in her preferred industry and progressed rapidly, but internal self-doubt and nagging insecurities continued to hold her back. This lack of

confidence persisted, even as she applied for three different roles within organisations she admired, reaching the final stages of each process.

Jacqueline was paired with a BAE coach with experience in professional development and strategy. Over the course of their sessions, Jacqueline and her coach concentrated on: 

• Building confidence: Jacqueline worked on recognising and internalising her previous successes, helping her to believe in her own capabilities and value within the professional world.

• Shifting mindset: The coaching helped Jacqueline reframe her thoughts around her career gap, transforming her perceived limitations into strengths. This shift enabled her to approach her job search and professional challenges with greater self-assurance.

• Developing a clearer vision: Jacqueline also worked on clarifying her long-term career aspirations, aligning them with her personal and professional values to create a clear pathway forward.