E-Entrepreneur Training for Foreign Service Spouses

November 15, 2005

By Elizabeth Saloom

The Department of State’s Family Liaison Office (FLO) announced earlier this year a new professional training and support program for spouses of Foreign Service direct-hire employees of agencies including the Department of State, the Agency for International Development, the Foreign Commercial Service and the Foreign Agricultural Service.

The new program, called E-Entrepreneur, helps spouses set up and develop portable home-based virtual businesses. FLO has partnered with Staffcentrix, LLC, of Woodstock, Conn., to implement the E-Entrepreneur training program.

Staffcentrix pointed out that frequent relocations abroad—sometimes to remote, isolated posts, high-cost areas, or locations where employment prospects are poor—can interrupt or derail a professional career. So the company trains spouses to become Foreign Service e-Entrepreneurs (FSEs).

FSEs are virtual professionals, providing business-related services to their own clients remotely, using e-mail, phone, fax, courier, etc. Working from home offices, they offer services ranging from writing and editorial assistance to foreign-market research to various types of consulting. Though they themselves may be located almost anywhere in the world, Staffcentrix said their client base is often in the US.

Staffcentrix provides opportunities for FSEs to interact, network and form business relationships with other Foreign Service family members who are working virtually. On its Web site, Staffcentrix has a message board.

Applications are accepted online. Staffcentrix will review the applications and select the candidates. The application is at www.portablecareer.com/apply.htm.

For more information on the program, contact FLO by calling (202) 647-1076 or e-mailing FLOAskEmployment@state.gov.