Foreign Concept
Milspouse makes U.S. military families feel at home in Germany
by Josie Cellone
When Louise Wayham’s husband was first stationed in Grafenwoehr, Germany, she couldn’t believe how hard it was for her family to get settled.
Even simple things, like finding someone to help change a light fixture, seemed amplified by the language barrier. With one baby in tow and pregnant with another, Wayham said all she wanted was restaurant delivery.
“What’s really lacking here that we’re used to in the States is the convenience factor,” Wayham said.
In February, Wayham launched 92655 Concierge named after the zip code in their region, to cater to military families stationed abroad.
At 10 a.m. on opening day, 92655 got its first assignment: a booking for pet sitting.
In addition to an online bank of restaurant menus and delivery drivers, 92655 Concierge provides housekeeping, car detailing and airport shuttles. It helps clients buy tickets for concerts by American artists and find driving directions for that hard-to-find, off-the-beaten-path steakhouse.
“Word of mouth in military communities is vital,” Wayham said, which is why the company is 100 percent owned and operated by U.S. military spouses in Germany, who understand the American-style of customer service.
Because of the close-knit community, 92655 Concierge knows whose husbands are deployed and who has children, and can anticipate what its clients will need.
One of the more popular services is the home spa, when clients receive a massage or get a manicure while the babies nap at home.
“If your spouse is deployed and you’re on your own, it can be hard to find that alone time,” Wayham said.
The company also offers “handyman services” to help hang photos, assemble furniture or mow lawns.
Wayham said 92655 Concierge is needed even more today with the constant deployment Soldiers face.
“Spouses need a lot more support than they have needed previously,” she said. “Not only are they living abroad, then their husband leaves. It’s a whole different experience. They’re trying to hold it together while facing language and cultural barriers.”
The success has encouraged Wayham to consider expanding at the major bases in Germany.
“This is something I can take with me wherever I go,” she said. “The enthusiasm that we’ve gotten has been exciting, and I look forward to developing this.”