Kristin Miller

Share your military spouse story:
My husband and I met while I was in the Air Force, and then we started dating 8 years after we met. We have a beautiful 3-year-old daughter named Madelyn. While Adam was deployed in 2019, I took care of a newborn (who spent 6 weeks in the NICU), finished up my MBA, and continued to work part-time virtually. My degree and my experience in the military continue to help me on a daily basis in my current role. In 2019, I attended an Amplify event through Hiring Our Heroes. At this event a fire was lit inside of me and I knew that I wanted to work with military spouses and veterans. Shortly after I became involved in the local Military Spouse Professional Network as a board member and the president sent me information on MilSO Box, a company that was for sale. I jumped at the chance to be a part of the next chapter of MilSO Box (a monthly subscription box for the significant others of military troops - and we expanded to include first responders back in May 2020). At MilSO Box, we take our role of delivering joy very seriously. We've sent out over 4,000 since 2015. We also donate boxes to spouses of a deployed military member every month, made donations to support the local spouses club, military units for holiday parties, key spouses groups, silent auctions and giveaways for military spouse organizations such as Milspousefest, Pride and Grit, Freedom Sisters Magazine, My Military Savings, Military Wives Savings, The Rosie Network, and many more. MilSO Box is much more than a subscription Box. It is a community that provides mentorship, support, joy, training, etc. We also feature items in our boxes from veteran-owned, military spouse owned, and American companies helping to spread awareness of military affiliated businesses through marketing, etc. Most of the vendors we work with have had their largest order come from MilSO Box. MilSO Box also has/does employ military spouses (locally and internationally since we can work remotely).

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
An example of leadership within the military community would be providing trainings and one-on-one consultations (without compensation) to military spouse and veteran entrepreneurs. I've provided training on marketing, thinking outside the box when it comes to marketing, entrepreneurship and overcoming limiting beliefs, and website design/branding. I am actually conducting website audits and training on January 15th for a military spouse entrepreneur retreat and donating the welcome gifts for the retreat. I've been featured in Freedom Sisters Magazine, Freedom Sisters Podcast, Moments with an MEO Podcast, Confessions of a MilSpouse Podcast, Military Families Magazine, Retail Me Not, Wine Down Podcast, My Military Savings, Military Wives Savings, The Rosie Network, MilSpousefest, Daily Mom Military, MilMomAdventures, Seasoned Milspouse, Spouse-ly, The Robinson Reporter and will be on KOFE Confessions Podcast, I'M Possible Podcast, and The Military Spouse Show with Krista Wells.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I have been on the board of the DM Chapter of the Military Spouse Professional Network, currently a board member of the DM Spouses Club (Secretary last year, and Programs Chair this year), provide mentorship and training through various events for military spouses, own MilSO Box which provides a community for military spouses, employ military spouses through MilSO Box, assist with marketing for small businesses that are veteran and/or military spouse owned, donations, etc.

Describe how you support your community:
I support my community through uplifting spirits, especially during deployments, through the subscription box and donations. We also have very open communication with our community on social media. Military spouses reach out through Instagram and Facebook as well as having a Facebook Support Group. I am also the Programs Chair for the DM Spouses Club, so I organize the programs/events that we have each month.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I am a big proponent of the belief that there is room for everyone at the table - community over competition. This believe is inclusive and I think it is important for military spouses to feel supported within their community and know that they can chase their passion. MilSO Box provides an inclusive community for spouses where feelings, concerns, frustrations, etc. can be shared in a safe space without fear of judgment.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
We have spread this message through our social media platforms and email. It is also evident in personal communications.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I am hoping to be able to help more military spouses and build an even larger community. It would be wonderful to be able to work with a sponsor so we can get boxes delivered to even more spouses of deployed military members.