Military Spouse Entrepreneur Wendy Hively Builds Jewelry Brand That Gives Back to Military Families
Being a military spouse entrepreneur comes with its own set of unique challenges and powerful opportunities. From PCS moves and deployments to career instability and the search for meaningful work, many military spouses turn to entrepreneurship as both a creative outlet and a sustainable lifestyle choice. One inspiring example of this is Wendy Hively, founder of CharlieMadison Originals—a jewelry brand that honors military life, fosters community, and gives back to military-affiliated nonprofits.
In a recent episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneurial Spotlight, Wendy shared her entrepreneurial journey, lessons learned from building a mission-driven business, and how she’s helping other military spouse entrepreneurs thrive.
From Science to Jewelry: The Unexpected Entrepreneurial Path
Wendy HivelyWendy didn’t start her career as an entrepreneur. A career scientist and a federal employee for over 30 years, she spent most of her life working in laboratories and balancing life as a Navy spouse. When her husband retired from the Navy in 2007, they decided to stay in their current location, which made their military-to-civilian transition smoother than most. But even with her stable job and a fixed location, something was missing.
“The hardest part was not being around the military community every day anymore,” Wendy said. “They become your family, and it’s tough when that daily connection disappears.”
That deep emotional bond with military life eventually led Wendy to explore a more creative path—something that would allow her to express herself while still staying connected to the community she loved.
From Hobby to Heartfelt Business
Like many military spouse entrepreneurs, Wendy’s business began as a hobby. She had always been creative and started making jewelry on the side, eventually opening a shop on Etsy. But what started as a passion project soon became a bigger vision.
She realized she could design jewelry that reflected the lives of military families—pieces that told stories, commemorated deployments, celebrated homecomings, or simply reminded the wearer of their strength and resilience.
That’s when CharlieMadison Originals was born, named after her daughters, Charlie and Madison. It wasn’t just a jewelry line—it was a brand built around connection, community, and giving back.
Empowering a Community Through Jewelry
What sets CharlieMadison Originals apart from other jewelry brands is its unwavering mission: to uplift the military community through meaningful designs and philanthropic impact.
Every piece of jewelry is crafted to represent a specific moment in military life—like PCS moves, homecomings, deployments, or memorials. Beyond the aesthetics, every purchase supports military-affiliated nonprofits, with more than $35,000 donated to date.
“We’re not just selling jewelry,” Wendy said. “We’re building a community of people who care deeply about service, family, and giving back. Our customers feel like they’re part of something greater—and they are.”
This blend of passion and purpose is a hallmark of many successful military spouse entrepreneurs, who often create businesses that serve and strengthen the communities around them.
Navigating the Highs and Lows of Entrepreneurship
Wendy knows firsthand that being a military spouse entrepreneur means wearing a lot of hats—especially in the early stages of a business.
“You’re the designer, marketer, accountant, shipper—everything,” she explained. “One of the biggest challenges is knowing when to let go and trust someone else with the business you’ve worked so hard to build.”
Luckily, Wendy didn’t have to look far to find help. Her daughter Madison now works alongside her, helping run operations and grow the brand. The mother-daughter duo is proud to be one of the few military-affiliated, family-run businesses in the jewelry industry.
This type of collaboration is not uncommon among military spouse entrepreneurs, who often turn their businesses into family operations that evolve with time, experience, and shifting responsibilities.
Using Entrepreneurial Programs and Online Learning
While there weren’t many free entrepreneurial resources for military spouses when Wendy started out, she sought out education on her own. She took part in Marie Forleo’s B-School, participated in jewelry-specific trainings, and invested in various online courses to build her skills.
Now, with a wealth of free tools and programs available specifically for military-connected entrepreneurs, she encourages other spouses to take advantage of what’s out there.
“The internet has changed everything,” Wendy said. “You can learn anything from anywhere, which is perfect for the military lifestyle.”
She also noted that with AI and automation becoming more common, military spouse entrepreneurs have more tools than ever to simplify their businesses and grow faster.
CharlieMadison’s 10-Year Milestone and What’s Next
2025 marks CharlieMadison Originals’ 10-year anniversary, and the brand is far from slowing down. In addition to its ever-popular jewelry line, Wendy and Madison are expanding into education and business coaching to help fellow military spouse entrepreneurs get their start.
“We’ve learned so much over the years, and we want to pay it forward,” Wendy shared. “If our journey can help someone else take that leap, then we’ve succeeded.”
They’ve also partnered with nonprofits to create custom jewelry pieces that represent those organizations’ missions, helping them fundraise while sharing their stories through wearable art.
In the near future, Wendy teased the possibility of a VET S.O.S. jewelry collaboration, a project designed to celebrate transition journeys and support the growing nonprofit’s mission to empower veterans and military families.
Connecting Through Events and Community
As active participants in the Military Influencer Conference (MIC), Wendy and her team make it a point to show up in person whenever possible. They’ve hosted tables, spoken on panels, and networked with countless military-connected entrepreneurs and leaders.
“MIC is one of the best places to connect with others who get it,” Wendy said. “You walk in and immediately feel like you belong. Everyone is there to support and uplift each other.”
Networking and showing up for community events is another essential part of being a successful military spouse entrepreneur. These gatherings offer inspiration, partnerships, and long-term support that extend well beyond business.
Final Words of Encouragement
To wrap up the episode, Wendy shared a heartfelt message to other military spouse entrepreneurs out there:
“We see you. We know the struggles. And if there’s anything we can do to help you on your journey, please reach out. We’re all in this together.”
Her story is proof that with passion, perseverance, and a commitment to giving back, military spouses can build businesses that not only thrive—but also make a lasting difference.
Learn More and Connect
🛍️ Shop and Support: charliemadisonoriginals.com
🎧 Listen to the Podcast: VET S.O.S. on Spotify
📲 Follow CharlieMadison Originals:
Instagram/Facebook: @charliemadisonoriginals
📲 Follow VET S.O.S.:
YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and TikTok: @vetsospodcast
