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Start and Grow Your Business from Home
You can earn a great income, maintain flexibility, and hit the ground running whenever you move with a Home Based Business.
The Home Based Business (HBB) Program helps military spouses and service members start and operate a business on post while following installation rules and regulations.
What is a Home Based Business (HBB)? It’s any business operated out of government housing on a military installation. Here are some examples:
- Online businesses (e-commerce, digital services)
- Freelancing (writing, graphic design, consulting, tutoring)
- Childcare services
- Beauty & personal care services (hair styling, nail care, esthetics)
- Home baking or catering businesses
Steps to Start a Home Based Business on Post
Step 1: Submit an Application for Approval
- Every HBB on post must be approved by the Garrison Commander.
- Submit an HBB application through your installation’s HBB office
Step 2: Meet Local & Federal Requirements
Depending on your business, you may need:
- A business license from the state or local government
- Liability insurance (especially for childcare, food, and beauty services).
- Compliance with health and safety regulations
- Family Child Care (FCC) certification (for childcare providers)
Step 3: Register Your Business & Taxes
- You may need to register your business name with your state.
- Learn about self-employment taxes and state tax laws.
Step 4: Follow Installation and Housing Rules
- HBBs cannot compete with on-post businesses (like the Exchange or MWR services).
- Some businesses may not be approved if they violate Army policies.
Home Based Business approval is quick and easy!
The Army’s new standardized HBB application template streamlines the approval process. Of course, installations are still required to adhere to local and state laws and regulations regarding home business operations, so check into those, too.
Follow these easy steps!
Step 1: Obtain the HBB Application. Visit your Family & MWR representative, download your HBB application and any required additional forms.
Step 2: Complete the Application. This includes visiting and obtaining approval from installation agencies like the housing office and community housing manager. The application should identify the agencies, but ask your Family & MWR representative if you have questions. If you need any additional documentation (like licensing or certifications), get that, too.
Step 3: Turn in the Application. Once you’ve completed your paperwork, submit the application to your Family & MWR representative. Keep a copy of the completed application for your own records.
Within 60 days, you should get notification of approval. Simple!
Get approved now!
If you operate an HBB on post and aren’t yet approved, now’s the time to get official.
- Moving your HBB from another installation? If you were approved there, the process is even easier!
- New Army guidance directs installations to “find a way to say yes” to HBB owners – so we’re prepared to make this easy for you.
- Official on-post offerings from AAFES, the Commissary and Family & MWR no longer consider HBBs competition, and you don’t have to gain their approval.
- Operating an HBB from your quarters without approval can violate policy and get you in trouble.
For more information see below or visit the HBB SharePoint homepage. Note – CAC access is required.
HBBs allow Families to work from their Army quarters, developing rewarding careers that follow them through PCS moves. The wide span of HBBs operated by Army Families includes:
- Car repair/service
- Hairdressing and hairstyling
- Pet grooming and pet sitting
- Massage therapy
- Retail sales from home
HBB owners need to obtain approval from the garrison commander or senior commander. We’ve recently streamlined the process to make it quicker and easier.
Not everyone who works from home operates an HBB though. If you work remotely from your home, you probably don’t need approval. Other examples of businesses that don’t need approval are:
- Bookkeeping and tax preparation
- Personal training conducted outside the home
- Photography, graphic design, and advertising services
- Tutoring and music instruction
- Entertainment or travel planning
- Housecleaning and lawn care
- Selling items from multi-level marketing (MLM) companies
