Hey, I'm Dr. Lindsay Cavanagh and I started Married to Military.
Tell us all about your business...
Married to Military is a business dedicated to elevating the lives and relationships of military spouses around the world. Military life can be so difficult and I am passionate about making military spouses lives easier and more fulfilled. Married to Military offers a weekly podcast for military spouses as well as relationship coaches for those military spouses who want to take their relationship to the next level. I help empower military spouses and equip them for the lifestyle utilizing evidence-based, proven techniques from my background as a psychologist.
What's your background and motivation to get into the solopreneur life?
I am a Doctor of Psychology and have worked as a clinical psychologist for the past 12 years, most of that time working directly with active duty military. I am also a military spouse and personally recognize the difficulties that come with this lifestyle.
I am passionate about helping others to be their best versions of themselves and feel that military spouses are often forgotten in all their amazingness and sacrifice. I want to ensure this population is able to access information that can help to make life easier.
As a solopreneur, what does success ultimately mean to you?
Success means freedom. This includes financial freedom, freedom with my time, the ability to bring my business with me wherever we are stationed in the world, and one that allows me to fully show up in every other area of my life.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Ensuring I am consistently putting myself out there in the most authentic way possible. Social media presents so much noise and, at times, an unrealistic picture of real life. I want to ensure that I am being real, while also offering a supportive, productive community. Putting everything out there can be scary at times, but I'm committed to being my true self.
What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a business today?
1. Start! There will never be the perfect time or the perfect situation. Just start and go from there.
2. You don't have to have things all set up and together to launch a business. Initially, I felt like I couldn't start until I had everything together, such as my website, perfect message, etc. However, so much of that comes with time and experience. You can start and figure out what works and then create all the support elements around the vision.
3. Identify your vision and your brand soul essence early. This will make all other decisions so much easier.
If there was one thing you could do repeatedly to help grow your business, what would it be?
Podcasting! I love communicating in this way. It feels like I can speak my heart right into the microphone. If I could do an episode daily I would.
What are some of the things you put in place to maintain a healthy work/life balance and to keep it all together?
I create really great boundaries for myself, specifically with my time. There will always be work to do, so I ensure that I am stopping and am able to engage in other activities that fill me up, such as traveling, exercising, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Who are some of your favorite entrepreneurs and best business resources/books?
I have been inspired by so many, but really I have looked up to all other military spouses who have launched a business. Military spouses have to be incredibly creative with their business as a result of military life and I am repeatedly in awe of how others have made it work for them and their audience.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Fear is one of the biggest things that holds us back from greatness. However, we get to decide whether or not fear has a place in our decision making.
Where can people find you online?
You can find my podcast here and we're on Instagram @marriedtomilitary and Facebook.
If you like what you've read here and have your own #GoSoloStories that you'd like to share then hit Jonny up on Twitter, we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.