Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lizann Lightfoot, Founder of Seasoned Spouse, located in Littlestown, PA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I founded my Seasoned Spouse blog in 2016 to support military families with encouragement and resources that are often lacking in the military community. A "seasoned spouse" is someone who has been through a variety of military experiences. After 5 kids, 6 PCS moves, and 7 deployments, I have the experience to share that can make military life a little easier for newer spouses and significant others.

My business has expanded to include 3 books for military families, a support group with 8,000 members, and speaking engagements with groups of military spouses around the country. My customers are young military spouses, almost entirely women, who are seeking support through their service member's deployment or a military move.

Tell us about yourself

I met my husband in 2000 before he joined the Marine Corps. So I have been with him through his 22-year military career, during which we had five children and lived in seven locations, including overseas. At our 4th duty station, when we had four young children, and he was preparing for his 6th deployment, I needed to find a way to work from home to supplement his income. I enjoyed writing and had already self-published one book. I established my blog, became a freelance writer for military websites, and soon had hundreds of articles published, along with two more books!

I see my mission as encouraging military spouses through the large and small challenges of military life. Our community often leaves people feeling disconnected and alone, especially when they are far from family. I think about the messages I most needed to hear when I was dating and going through our early marriage, and those are the words I share with spouses now!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'm most proud of my first traditionally-published book because it was always a goal and my dream to be a published author. My book, "Open When: Letters of Encouragement for Military Spouses," was published in 2021 by Military Family Books. It provides short letters to inspire military spouses through difficult moments of military life, so they can always have a supportive message when they need it most! This is a creative resource that is sorely needed in our military spouse community.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Finding that work-life balance is always difficult when you work from home managing your own business. There's always more to do, ways to improve, things to update, and the nagging doubt that you aren't doing enough for either your business or your family.

I remind myself that my original reason for starting my business was to pay for my children's sports and activities and to share my experience with the military community. So as long as I am doing that, I consider the entire project to be successful!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Approach it as a business from the beginning--not just a hobby or a "side hustle." Being a legitimate business means paying attention to details like your accounting practices, taxes and establishing an LLC. It's okay to research and ask for help with these starting steps, but don't skip them just because they are inconvenient.
  2. Set some wild and crazy goals, then break them down into smaller manageable pieces. Success won't happen all at once. But you should research the brands and companies you admire in your field so you know what to imitate and who you want to collaborate with. Keep reaching out and growing into those goals, and they will soon be in reach.
  3. Study your target audience. Get to know them in a deep, personal way. Understand their pain points, their questions, their struggles, their fears, and their habits. If you can answer their questions and provide solutions, they will come to trust you and purchase from you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://seasonedspouse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeasonedSpouseBlog/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theseasonedspouse/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seasonedspouse
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizann-lightfoot/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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