Military Wives Take Control of Their Future with Support from Wiltshire-Led Business Academy

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With military life often making traditional employment near-impossible, one Wiltshire woman is leading a movement to empower military spouses to secure their own financial future through online entrepreneurship.

Cath Smith, Founder of Summit & Stream, created her business in response to the repeated career challenges she faced while accompanying her husband’s military service abroad. During a particularly difficult two-year relocation to the Czech Republic, she discovered a gap in business support networks that understood the unique demands of the military lifestyle.

Now, as Military Spouse Appreciation Month shines a spotlight on the issues affecting military families, Summit & Stream is gaining global traction. Women from across the UK and overseas are joining Cath’s retreats and 12-week academies — drawn to the flexibility, structure and emotional support that allow them to grow businesses alongside service life.

“Military partners move every two years on average – it’s nearly impossible to maintain a traditional career or explain a fragmented CV,” said Cath Smith.

“I created Summit & Stream to offer a practical and emotional support system for women who want to take control of their financial future without sacrificing family or identity.”

The success of her first business retreat, held in the Brecon Beacons, highlighted the appetite for such support. With spaces selling out, participants experienced motivational talks, hands-on business guidance, and a sunrise trek up Pen Y Fan. Her academy programme continues that momentum, helping women build brands and businesses they can manage from anywhere in the world.

Cath’s background as an educator and business mentor, combined with her role as a board member of the Military Coworking Network, gives her a unique vantage point to advocate for policy change and support innovation within the military community.

“Women in the military community are resourceful, educated, and motivated — they just need the flexibility to match,” added Cath Smith. “This isn’t just about building businesses; it’s about building resilience, independence and hope.”