Self-Employment – Taking Charge of Your Own Mission

Leaving the Armed Forces is a major life transition, but one that opens a new chapter, full of opportunities.

For many, the next step is employment with an organisation, but an increasing number of Service Leavers are exploring another path: self-employment. Or, indeed, both in parallel.

Nowadays, it is likely over the course of a career that most people will, at some point, become a freelancer or contractor, have a portfolio career, or run a small business. These all form part of the rich and beautiful tapestry that comprises the nation’s five million small businesses.

Enterprise skills and the abilities that allow you to identify opportunities, manage resources, and create value, are essential in any of the forms of self-employment mentioned above. They’re the toolkit that turns your skills and passions into a sustainable livelihood.

Why Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Skills Matter for the Armed Forces Community

People in the Armed Forces learn great skills like being organised, staying calm when things change, leading others, fixing problems, and never giving up. These are the same skills that can make someone a brilliant business owner.

Through programmes delivered by X-Forces Enterprise (XFE), via the CTP Self-Employment Pathway, people learn how to unlock these skills and use them in new ways, turning what they learned in the military into the tools to build and grow their own business, help customers, and support their community.

Success in self-employment also requires understanding of how to operate in the civilian marketplace: knowing your audience, building a network, managing finances, navigating regulations, and marketing your business effectively. XFE has empowered thousands of Service Leavers and veterans to master these skills in order to launch, grow, and sustain their businesses.

The Broader Picture

When people hear ‘entrepreneurship’ they often picture Dragons’ Den pitches or risky ventures. But for the Armed Forces community, learning enterprise skills is about something far more practical: business knowhow, building resilience, confidence, and the ability to make the right choices about the future.

The key is to make informed decisions and mitigate risk, which empowers individuals, especially during times of major life transition, to understand entrepreneurship and enterprise skills like budgeting, market research, or networking. These are life skills. They serve you whether you’re self-employed or employed.

With AI, digital marketplaces, and new supply chain models reshaping the world of work, entrepreneurial skills are no longer optional, they’re essential. For those leaving the Armed Forces, learning how to apply their strengths through enterprise education builds more than business know-how; it creates confidence that carries into every part of civilian life. Whether starting a business, moving into employment, volunteering, managing money, or planning for the future, these skills are invaluable as part of lifelong learning to better equip and adapt in any career path.

Self-Employment In Different Forms

Being your own boss can take many forms, each offering a different balance of freedom, responsibility, and flexibility: knowing your plan is an essential first step.

1. Running Your Own Business
Whether you dream of opening a café, designing a tech platform, or running a security firm, being a business owner means setting your vision and steering it to success. You control the strategy, brand, and growth, but you’re also responsible for compliance, cash flow, and keeping customers happy.

2. Freelancing
From graphic design and photography to IT support or project management, freelancing lets you sell your expertise directly to clients. It’s highly flexible, but it also requires strong self-marketing and client relationship skills.

3. Contracting
Contractors are often hired for fixed periods or specific projects, especially in technical or managerial roles. It’s a great way to earn well, build your civilian CV, and maintain a degree of independence.

4. Portfolio Careers
A portfolio career blends multiple income streams, perhaps part-time work, consulting, and a small business, allowing you to spread risk, explore varied interests, and make the most of different skill sets. Many Service Leavers find this an effective way to balance security with creativity.

5. Limited Company
Setting up a limited company can feel like a big leap, but it’s often a natural next step for those ready to formalise their business journey. It offers structure, credibility, and protection, allowing you to separate your personal finances from your business activities. The process is more straightforward than many expect: choosing a company name, registering with Companies House, and setting up a business bank account are the key early milestones. With the right support and a clear sense of purpose, forming a limited company can be an empowering move towards growth and long-term success.

According to the UK Government’s ‘Business Population Estimates’ (2024), small businesses make up 99.9% of the UK business population, with sole proprietors and microbusinesses leading the charge. The British Business Bank’s 2024/25 report forecasts continued growth in start-up activity post-pandemic, particularly in service sectors.

Building The Right Skills & Support Network

While self-employment can be incredibly rewarding, it’s not without its challenges. Cash flow can be unpredictable, client demand can fluctuate, and you are your own HR, finance, and marketing department. You are the organisation’s number one salesperson. That’s why preparation is essential.

X-Forces Enterprise provides:

– Training workshops to build core enterprise skills

– Mentoring from those who have walked the same path, subject matter experts, and technical experts

– Further education on specialist topics that enable peer-to-peer support

– Networking opportunities to meet potential partners, suppliers, and customers

– Access to funding and practical advice to get started and grow

– Forums to encourage and support peer to peer learning

Next Steps

The CTP Self-Employment Pathway is delivered by X-Forces Enterprise and begins with the one-day Self-Employment Awareness Workshop. This is followed by a two-day Enterprise and Self-Employment Workshop in a group setting either face-to-face or on-line with three bespoke individualised mentoring sessions to help you refine your skills and your self-employment ambition.