.png)
Scenic Route
Life's one helluva ride — why not enjoy the view?
The Scenic Route Podcast is your audio chill pill, serving up mindset shifts, laughs, and 'aha!' moments that fuel your soul and your wallet.
We're all about:
- Finding purpose (without the fluff)
- Embracing the soft life (because hustle culture is so last season)
- Real talk (sugar-coating? Not around here)
- Actionable insights (for when you're ready)
- Daring convos (we go there, babes)
- Building resilience (without the toxic positivity)
- Mindfulness for real people (with real problems)
Whether you're feeling lost and emotionally exhausted, hiding from your kids in the bathroom, need a break from the chaos, or want to zen out, we've got you covered.
Join Jennifer Walter, sociologist (MASoc UCC) and pathfinder, on this journey to inner peace — with a generous side of potty humour.
Ready to care less about others' BS and more about your own bliss? Hop on The Scenic Route. Trust us, the view up here is *chef's kiss*.
New episodes drop every Tuesday.
Your next chill session awaits. You coming?
Scenic Route
Escape the 9-5 and Start Your Own Business with Lindsay May
Ever felt trapped on the brink of burnout, standing at the abyss of your high-paced, highflyer corporate career? You're not alone.
Plug in and tune out with this game-changer episode of The Scenic Route Podcast, starring the one and only Lindsay May. Lindsay is the brainchild behind The Happy Marketing Co and the trailblazing Happy Lead Her community. Her story is a down-to-earth, grab-your-notebook guide for any woman itching to swap the corporate chaos for the entrepreneurial path.
What You'll Discover
- Lindsay's Journey: From the dizzying heights of corporate burnout to the zen of entrepreneurship, Lindsay spills the tea on her epic journey. Imagine navigating through a hurricane in your career only to find a peaceful cove of business ownership. Yep, that's her story.
- Brand Building Mastery: Ready to sift through the internet's endless echo of branding and business coaching advice? Lindsay has the secret sauce to finding your vibe and helping you stand out in the best way possible.
- Craft Your Entrepreneurial Masterpiece: This episode dares you to ditch the cover band life and start composing your entrepreneurial “Cowboy Carter”, one that's in perfect pitch with your authentic self.
- Values-Led Victory: Lindsay isn't just playing the game; she's changing it, thriving in her business by aligning her choices with her heart's compass. And she's here to show you how.
Why Listen
For the high-flyer women out there with souls as deep as the ocean and minds wide open contemplating a break from Corporate confines, let Lindsay be your guide. This episode isn't merely a podcast; it's a lifeline, a sisterhood call to arms for female leaders searching for solidarity and a clear path to reigniting their passion for life and work.
See you on the Scenic route.
Connect with Lindsay
Website
Instagram
Podcast The Happy LeadHer
_____________________________________________________________________
Desire to find your Scenic Route? Visit jenniferwalter.me — a welcoming space for the emotionally exhausted to rest, discover, and playfully embrace inner peace. Embrace a softer, more fulfilling life today!
For snapshots from Jennifer's scenic route to a softer life come over to
PICK YOUR SCENIC ROUTE AFFIRMATION
Ready to embrace your Scenic Route? Step off the beaten path with the Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck. It's not about the hustle; it's about finding the courage to trust your inner compass and carve a path that's authentically yours.
Tap into your inner wisdom and let it guide you.
👉 Discover Your Scenic Route Affirmation Card
Curious about what insights await you today? Dive in and let your scenic journey unfold, one affirmation at a time.
SHOW SOME LOVE
If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review and help me share the soft life message.
Lindsay May is an award-winning strategic marketing leader with 15 years of experience scaling businesses from startups to corporation. After leaving the 95 behind, in January 2023, lindsay launched her own SEO and website consultancy, the happy marketing co, where she helps female founders grows through strategic website optimization and design. Recently, lindsay launched the happy lead her, a community and podcast for women in leadership roles who want to heal from burnout, find fulfillment and celebrate bold action. Her mission is to help women feel less alone in business, whether they work in corporate or startup or run their own business. Okay, lindsay, welcome to the Scenic Route podcast.
Lindsay May:Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to be here.
Jennifer Walter:Yeah, me too. So today, it's fair to say, your business is a bit more than a year old now, is it?
Lindsay May:Yeah, like a year and a month, so very new.
Jennifer Walter:Yeah, I mean, you're kind of like new to the circus, but you've still been around the block, yes, so this will be really interesting. Yeah, I'm looking forward to kind of like talk about what you kind of like did to start your business. What was kind of like let's kick it off with what was the. Was there like a pivotal moment, a moment that kind of like was switch where you were like okay, no, I'm done with corporate, I'm going to do this on my own, yeah, yeah, there were kind of two moments just quickly.
Lindsay May:The first one was when I was in my second to last corporate job and I worked like a 12 hour day and it was like 8pm and I was like I'm going to go to bed because I have to do this again tomorrow, so I'm just going to turn everything off, go to bed. And literally the next morning I got in trouble for going to bed early because I wasn't available after 8pm to talk. So that was one of the first moments and I love sharing that because I feel like the more and more I talked to people about that they're like yep, sounds like my job. And then I switched jobs because I was like maybe it's just this company, right. And so I went to another corporate job for more of a startup and I loved it and I thought, oh, that was just the issue, it was just the business. And then after about six months started traveling every month, once or twice a month and working the 12 hour days again, wearing all the hats, doing all the things. And after about eight months I was like I'm exhausted again, like I'm completely burned out and I don't have any support from my boss or from a team. I'm just feel like I'm all on my own. And so I had a conversation with my boss and I was like I am experiencing some extreme burnout and I know there's a lot that I can do, but I would really love to find some support, because I was in a marketing role and operations where I was wearing all of the hats, doing all of the work and I was just exhausted and you can't show up as a leader and run a company when you're running on like an empty tank. Right, and again, I know there's a lot that I could have done. But I was just like can I get some help? Like I'm working 14 hours a day, I'm traveling twice a month. This is just overwhelming. And they basically said well, I want you to travel more in the next year, so I want you to kind of decide are you all in or is this not right for you anymore? And I honestly think that they were kind of surprised when I came back the next day and I was like I quit, I have to choose myself. Like I'm having panic attacks every day, and so that was unconventional because I had no job lined up. But that was the moment where I was like okay, I've got to choose myself. This is crazy and there's just no way I can keep up with this. Yes, oh.
Jennifer Walter:God, I mean congratulations for like doing that. I mean it, yeah. I mean, when I look back, it took me also quite a few turns where it's like okay, now, now it's really like no, now is not yeah, because, yeah, I don't know. I mean, I remember I felt scared and like what, like scared of just not working out, scared of like what will it? What will I tell myself If this is not working out? Like what, what? What do I make this mean about myself If things are not working out? And I had to laugh, like internal laugh, about what you said, like oh, you went like they kind of like gave you like a hard time for going home at eight. And I'm like I have the same story with the acceptate, with like, but my story it was like three am and I had an hour commute and I knew I had a. I had a seven 30 meeting again, oh my gosh, what, yeah. And then so I was home at four am, I slept for two hours and then I got back and I was there for the seven 30 meeting with my boss and she fucking fired my story at oh my gosh, Sure, okay, well, yeah, I mean there were so many red flags, but I was just kind of like no, no, let's ignore those. So I like yes, kudos for like seeing the red flags that actually acknowledged them for what they are, and then like no, no.
Lindsay May:Yeah, it's tough yeah.
Jennifer Walter:Like. So when you started then like, when was the first time where you like? Or was there a time when you were like, but like, oh yeah, I thought I probably, I just probably made a really big mistake.
Lindsay May:Yeah, I think like the next day where I was like I was so brave and confident and I was like, screw you.
Jennifer Walter:Yeah, the first time has worn off.
Lindsay May:Yeah, where I was like, oh, they just told me when I'm going to get my last paycheck and that scares me and I'm no longer going to have benefits or anything. And I actually quit right before Christmas and I was like, well, there's no way I'm going to find another job like interview for jobs during the holidays because everyone's out of the office and so I definitely was really nervous and really scared. I definitely had an oh shit moment where I was like what do I do now? And so I started contracting because I was like I have no idea how long this is going to take to find a job. But I was interviewing, for I mean I think I had like 24, 25 interviews within one or two months and all of them just reminded me of where I came from and I was like there's no way, like I can't go back to you know what I just left, what I just risked in my career. And so that was kind of when I was like could I turn this into a career? Like could I become my own boss and make this full time? And so, yeah, I mean it's really scary, but at the same time, when you're treated a certain way in corporate or from anyone. Right, you have to realize this is not good for me anymore and you have to make a decision. And I mean, I think it takes a lot of bravery and courage in the moment, and I mean sometimes you're just like I quit and you just scream in the middle of a meeting or whatever. I haven't done that, but I've wanted too many times, but you never know when that's going to come up for you, and so for me I just had to trust my gut and then figure out the rest, and I did, thankfully, but yeah, it's very scary.
Jennifer Walter:Yeah, it's interesting that across your gut, like theme how, how did kind of like manifest for yourself, do you really like how, how did that? How did that? How did your body manifest like, okay, now you said already, but the burnout like you're realizing, okay, now it's really time to kind of like let go. Um, yeah, and how was the switch from like the okay, now I'm really letting go? Like, do you remember, like how, how that felt in that moment?
Lindsay May:Yeah, well, about a month or maybe two before I quit, I was at an event with this company and I was in another state in the US and I just had a feeling that I will. That was my last trip and it's so weird. I even have chills right now, like thinking about it, because I mean, when you get to that point, that point in your life where it's so extreme or you're experiencing burnout or just anxiety, depression, whatever, when your body gives you a signal like that, I just had to trust it. I didn't take action right away, but I did text someone and I was like this is my last trip with them. I know it, I don't know how, but this is my gonna be my last trip. And yeah, a couple months later I think my boss had a talk with me, because I mentioned the burnout before and then this was like a followup, Like how are you doing with your burnout, are you managing your time better? And I was like yes, I'm managing my 12, 14 hour days better, thank you. But you know, I think, out of the ultimatum that I was given, I was like this is a bigger sign, like this is literally the test of like are you going to choose yourself or are you going to stay here and be miserable? So sometimes it shows up like that, and for those of you who are like how do I trust my gut? Like how do I get to that point, I think you have to start paying attention. Like how does your body feel when you're about to get on to a work meeting, right? Like I was always so anxious, sometimes I would cry before a meeting or after a meeting and I would just like you can tell in your body and in your heart and in your soul. And other people around you too are like are you okay? Like you seem really stressed or you seem whatever, and so I think it's down or right, like you just have to be present and listen to your body and just figure out, like, what is? What am I trying to tell myself here, like is it I need to go on a vacation for a week and then I'll come back and be fine, or is it I need to figure out what else is out there for me?
Jennifer Walter:Yeah, that's beautiful what else is out there? And it's so right, like when often and I remember back to my when I started out at my entrepreneurial journey you're very one, is very quick to look for outside solution, right, and yes, you have to look what's out there. And I it's so beautiful that you kind of like put the emphasis back on intuition again and again. Right, because you kind of like have to know what you want to do and to not kind of get lost in this whole glitzy world of Instagram entrepreneurs tell you whatever, and to kind of see Trudis facade most of the time and to kind of like really be centered in yourself and knowing yourself of like, okay, what is, what do I want to do, what am I capable of doing in this season? And not kind of like get lost in all of that. How was that for you? Like, the whole social media comparison night is, yeah, how was that for?
Lindsay May:you. That was tough because I was involved in social media before all of this, with personal accounts and all of that. But when I became an entrepreneur and launched the Happy Marketing Co, I of course had to get an Instagram and Facebook and LinkedIn and all the things. And then, you know, I kept being recommended to me like you need a personal brand, people need to see the person behind. You know the business, and so I did that too. But once you open yourself up to that and you put yourself out there, there are so many coaches out there and entrepreneurs that are like, oh yeah, like you can start a business and make a hundred grand in your second month, and you're like, oh, so it's really easy. And then you do it and you're like I have zero clients. I think I made $1,000 in my second month and it's possible to scale the six figures quickly, but they don't really tell you the rawness of that. They don't really show you all of the work that you have to put in, and so I had to figure that out month by month and during each season of my business in the last year, and so, for me, I started following all the business coaches you know Amy Porterfield, too, and Jenna Kutcher and all these like big names and marketing, because I'm in marketing and it just got so overwhelming when I thought like maybe I'm not cut out for this because they're making millions of dollars and I'm over here just trying to get a new client right, and so I think you have to turn off the noise and, yes, you can get inspired, but maybe follow one person that you look up to, like one coach or one entrepreneur that you're like that's a level I wanna get to and I know that they can provide value for me and what they're sharing is helpful for me rather than harmful. But I think everywhere else, like all those other accounts and coaches and entrepreneurs, you have to either mute them or unfollow them, because it's just noise, like you just get in your head and you're like not only comparing your business, but you're like my podcast space looks different than theirs, or like there might be I mean their- entire business looks different, right, they probably have like a team of 30 or something, right, like I mean, if you're winging it with like a part-time VA or something, this is not the same. I mean it's not, it's raw yeah.
Jennifer Walter:Yes and it's yeah. I remember, oh God, I remember there was a time when I was like for sure I knew, okay, I needed to do B-School, marie Farley, I was B-School because I need to know about business. And then I had this moment of clarity where I'm like, well, actually, like bitch, no, like, why am I even? Like it was more like I realized I, I mean, you can do all the courses. Yeah, you want, that's fine, if as long as you're clear about the intention of this course. Maybe you want to do a course because you're curious, because it sounds fun, because I don't know you might like the community that comes with the course or whatever. But if you're catching yourself to see something as kind of like the silver bullet, this or else, yeah, I would be really, really careful with proceeding, oh yeah.
Lindsay May:Yeah, I think I spent $3,500 on a course the second month of business, to learn more about Instagram ads and promoting yourself as an entrepreneur in ads, and I think I took one module before I actually did the rest of the course, because you're also changing so much in your first few months of entrepreneurship that you don't really know what you need yet. And I also invested in a mastermind after about six months in my business and I was like I'm trying to spend all of the money that I'm making and you don't have to do that. Like you don't need a life coach and a business coach in this course and that course and this membership. Like there's so many resources out there and, yes, like they're all trying to sell you because that's their business, right, and so you have to figure out like what do I need support with? Am I struggling with sales? Am I struggling with confidence? Like what is the number one thing that you're struggling with in your business? And then, yes, find something that you can invest in with that. Because I do think business coaches are helpful and programs are helpful, but all of them is just so much noise and I found myself not doing any of them because I had my hands in too many areas of learning right, so I think you have to focus on what you really need help with and invest in that, but you don't have to do it all at once either.
Jennifer Walter:Yes and okay. So I'm assuming what you're doing now with the happy marketing is somewhat related to what you did before when you were on port right, so you're still doing marketing services and search engine optimization and those things right yeah. Which I mean is also like kind of an unfair advantage. Right, because I mean no, right, like I mean if someone who was doing structural gardening before the site I actually my dream passion is to do website I mean fair play, you go do, right, but they're starting at a different baseline than you do, or when, or I did I mean I did branding and then I'm now doing branding Like I mean it was a different advantage, like it's a different advantage as when you're just kind of like starting out like from nothing and that also, I feel, is often getting downplayed in people who scale to six, seven figures rather quickly. Right, because, yes, of course. Well, I mean, not, it's not just like a logical consequence, but there is privilege and advantage in if you're doing, if you're offering a service. You have done so before. Yeah, right, yeah, and I feel it's really important to be transparent about this. Yeah, and not just like oh, I came out of nowhere with no background whatsoever. I now have six figures.
Lindsay May:Yeah, true, so true. And I think for me, having 13, 14 years of marketing experience, the easy way easy quote unquote to start a business was like I'm going to keep doing the same thing because I know how to do that and it's going to take less time to get clients and get off the ground. But then I niche down, because most people niche down after they figure out, like this is what I like to do and I don't want to do this anymore. And so, yes, I totally agree. I think you know it's easier to do something that you've been doing, especially if you came from corporate. But I would say like I went all in very quickly and had to start from scratch. Still, it's just in a very different way. But, yes, we had very linear kind of paths to entrepreneurship, so for sure, we had an advantage, but also it's like a totally different learning curve. Like now we're doing it as business owners rather than well, they're the business owner and if they lose money or if they, you know, close down, or if they have a service that didn't work out, like they can figure it out. But I'm just working here versus us. We're like we have to go all in with our services, right, yeah, so yeah.
Jennifer Walter:Yeah, absolutely, and I love what you said before. Like you kind of like have to be sure of what you really need to work on and I'd say I don't know, correct me if you're not, if you have a different sentiment about this, but if you have some experience, some certain level of experience in corporate and I mean I have 15 plus years too and like design, advertising, branding, so on, so I've seen a lot of shit it was kind of easier, I suppose, to kind of like identify ooh, okay. This is kind of like the rocky hatch in my client journey, or funnel, or however you want to call it, whereas again, someone else was like ugh, okay. So how can you, how did you, how can someone go about actually identifying where the problem is right? Because most of the time when I was consulting, for example give you an example here when I was consulting on digital, like on paid digital ads, like Google ads, for example, and they were like not performing, they were performing shit. Eight out of 10, the root cause was lack of branding, lack of positioning, lack of message, of clear messaging, lack of value proposition, like just the work the base work hasn't properly done. So everything else on top was just like ugh. And then it like how's the cards? Brududum, yeah, so I knew they would come to me for like, oh, I need support with my like paid ads. I'm like, well, no, honey, you actually need help with your branding. So, how can we figure out where do we actually need help with?
Lindsay May:Yeah, ooh, that's good you know, what it's hard, because we know ourselves so well and what we have in terms of our ideas and what we want to launch in business, whatever. And so a baker, for example, knows their recipes and knows what they excel at, because they literally make cakes, cupcakes, whatever. And they're amazing and people love them. But for them to translate their skills and what they're good at into content, for example, or branding, or what marketing they actually need to launch it with, like that's really hard, right. That's why people like us exist, because we're like my business is helping you and your business thrive. But I think, for one, it's figuring out like who is your audience right? Like who is actually going to buy from you? I know of a baker who she still sells cakes. She does incredible wedding cakes, but now she's also a business coach for other bakers, which is funny. Like that's a funny dynamic that a lot of people are doing now, teaching kind of what they've learned. But I think you have to realize that it's now interpreting your experience and whatever field you're in If you're a gardener, if you're a baker, if you own a yoga studio you have to look at it from your audience's perspective. Like what do they need to see and read and feel in order to buy from you. It's not just you have the skills, and if you don't know how to talk about your business, that's where you partner with a marketer or a content writer, right, or even AI. I mean, there's so many tools out there. You don't have to spend, you know, $10,000 on some webpage copy, even though it is really important. But it's important to think like your audience, no matter who you are or what your business is, and that will at least help you figure out how to speak to them rather than speaking in. You know, this talk that you've just been talking to your customers and you're bakery forever or whatever. It's just like a new online world that you have to just realize those areas and also having the essential. You know, ways to communicate, ways to grow your business, like a website and SEO, because it is so powerful, it does help you reach your audience. But you have to have I mean, you know you have to have a brand. You have to have a way to showcase your brand and your product, your service. So it is kind of thinking through those core essentials for marketing and even if your brain doesn't work like that, you know who your customer is. So it all comes back to thinking like your customer and really everything that you do, targeting them with that copy or that design or that brand, and learning too. I mean, we all have to learn new things. Even though you and I have come from marketing and that's what we do in our business, you know, it's still. We still have so much to learn. I had no idea how to have a personal brand or do a photo shoot for myself or whatever. I launched a podcast six months ago and I had to learn how to do all that too. So it's not just like, oh, if you're marketing, your business is going to do so well. I had no idea how to run a business, even though I'm a marketer. So we're, all you know, on the same level. Even though we have marketing experience, we're still learning every single day.
Jennifer Walter:Yes, that's such a beautiful sentiment of it's one. I think one of the core qualities in entrepreneurship is just being humble, right, yeah, because you know you know shit. Right Because, and A because also like the landscape is so is changing so quickly, right, like, suddenly we have like a new app, new social media app, or we have like AI, or we have whatever kind of like regulatory systems in place that you can no longer do this or whatever. Right, it's changing so, so quickly. So I don't know. I'm always like, oh wait, when did friends come up? Like whoa? I mean, it's really like. I think it's a very good approach to be humble and be like. You know, we're kind of like learning every day, and also like that when I talk to people of like, oh, I've done my branding, now I'm good, I'm like sure that's fine, but you're kind of downplaying or forgetting that every like, all of the, all these kind of like ecosystems are living and breathing things. Right, as you said, oh, you have to have your client, your audience, your customers in mind. They are like living and changing and being human too. Yeah, they change, they grow older, they have kids, they whatever, they go through life as well and their needs and desires may change. So what maybe has been working for the past two years and I had this with funny enough, with two clients what was working right before COVID wasn't working anymore after COVID, right, because just there were fundamental things that have kind of like shifted and their marketing just didn't hit the spot anymore.
Lindsay May:Yeah.
Jennifer Walter:And it was super successful before and now it was just like not like completely dried, it was just not hitting that sweet spot anymore as did before. Yeah, it's really kind of like being humble every day and seeing oh okay, where can I like, what can I learn? What do I don't know? Yeah, and being honest about that, oh yeah, two-self.
Lindsay May:I mean, even I've worked in social media for so long, but 15 years ago it was like we're sharing a random photo with a filter and these days it's so different, like I'm a marketer and I had to learn how to use social media in 2023, 2024, right, it's so different. It changes every year to your point and life changes, your audience changes and I just thought my business was going to like blow up because I know how to market. You know these crazy brands that have helped scale. But my business was so different. I had to realize I'm marketing, marketing the services. Right, it's just really hard to you know figure out what that looks like for you. But once you do, you're like, okay, now I get it. But I totally agree, you have to be humble. You have to fall on your ass a couple of times and be like now I've learned what to do and what not to do. And yeah, these like you know influencers and coaches who are selling, you know the resell rights courses and marketing and all that like they're making a shit ton of money and I'm a marketer with actual tradition on marketing experience and they're like skyrocketing, right. So you just really never know what's out there and you can't compare yourself because everyone's in a different phase of life and phase of business, and a lot of it is just like luck, too, like you have no idea who's going to see your brand and take it to the next level, so definitely have to be humble.
Jennifer Walter:Yes, yes, it's privilege. I mean we know the algorithm is performing better if you're like pretty in white, like I mean those things we know right and yeah at the same time, right it's. I remember let me tell you like how I'm curious probably was similar to your experience. You, you come from your. When you do, when you go out on your own and you're doing a service that you've been paid before to do, you know you got this, you know you can do it. You may have the accolades to prove it, the portfolio to show it, and then you go out and you realize no one actually fucking cares how good you do your job.
Lindsay May:No one cares.
Jennifer Walter:You. So it's kind of like okay, you, I have to become the best marketer so that people actually realize I'm actually good at what I do. And this was like a really tough pill for me to swallow, right Like not, and a part was ego for sure, and I'm like why? Why don't people just get how awesome I am? Yeah?
Lindsay May:right, I have all this experience.
Jennifer Walter:Like why don't you come to me? I am so awesome. Like yeah, don't you get it. Why do I have to do like stupid?
Lindsay May:marketing. I know right, there's like a strategy here. I thought you just like I launched and now you become a client.
Jennifer Walter:Yeah, I just hit publish on my website, so now you better come and buy, right yeah?
Lindsay May:I still say that sometimes, but it does take a little bit more than that.
Jennifer Walter:What was your biggest marketing fuckup? You have one.
Lindsay May:Oh, yeah, you know, going back to the essentials of what to launch your business with, I did not put time and energy into email. Like I was like I don't need email, I'm just going to literally cold email from my Gmail account. I don't need like a system, I don't need to build my list. And that's like one of the first things that business coaches say that I'm always like, yeah, but I don't need an email list because I'm just going to go out there. You know, kind of like you were saying it's all ego, right, we have this experience and I was marketing myself terribly and I just I didn't have an email list for like six months and now I barely even promote it now. So it's like again, even though we're conditioned about these marketing things, like if we don't incorporate them and use the strategy that we teach our clients, then our business is not going to thrive as much. So, like we're not perfect, I'm not perfect, I'll say that I don't market my business perfectly. And also, yeah, I mean, I think for me it's like consistency If I'm not consistent on Instagram with my business profile, like you can tell like I literally will get like 50 views on a reel that I'm like this was killer content, like what the hell? Why don't people?
Jennifer Walter:watching it Like do you know that I have?
Lindsay May:all this experience and it's like, yeah, but there's a strategy, like there has to be a strategy. You have to get over what you think the world is like out there when you're doing something new for the first time. And so, yeah, I definitely learned that I need to have like a strategies session with myself and become the client and be like Lindsay you need a fucking email list. You need to promote your services If you want a client, right, like it's just the obvious thing. Sometimes we just forget in business and that's okay, we learned from it.
Jennifer Walter:But, yeah, it's embarrassing, I mean the stories that made us, including the fuckups. Like you said that you were like terribly at marketing yourself. Yeah, I mean, this may or may not be true, but surely it's less now, because your business is still here. You're still here, you're not living on our bridge, so you're doing something right. Yeah, and that's shifted from you marketing yourself terribly to better. Like I'm curious like, was there like something internal you kind of like switched or a story you told yourself differently?
Lindsay May:Yeah, I think I had a big mindset shift, especially when I was in the mastermind and started talking about my business in front of other people, where I was like I am not selling myself at all, like I had to go through the shift of like you know, I have to promote myself, but I also need to know what my business is and who I am as an entrepreneur. And I think for a long time I didn't call myself an entrepreneur. I think I was just missing confidence. I was like, yeah, I have a little business or freelancing or yeah, exactly where it's like no, I'm full time in this business, even if I only have a couple of clients at the time. And, yeah, I think I just had zero confidence because I had no idea what I was doing and I thought it would be easy. But going into the social media world and all of that, it's like, oh shit, there's a lot of competition and there's a lot of people doing it their way and it's working for them. I think I also needed to be more authentic, like being in corporate, your condition so much to be like money, money, money and perfection and overworking yourself. And so I thought I had to be perfect. But then I figured out like people actually want to see authenticity, they want to see the face behind the. We want to see the mess. Yes, they want to see the messy moments, even if it's like you know what. I just launched this program and I spelled something wrong and I'm a marketer marketer myself, right. Like people just want to know that you're a human, because they'll connect with you on a deeper level. And so for me, I had to be like number one, I'm an entrepreneur, I have a business, it's official and I'm going all in with it. And number two I have to be authentic. I can't just be perfect and you know, post every day on social media and have it be perfect and nothing like fun or showing my personality. I really had to find my authenticity because I am the business at the end of the day, I'm a solopreneur, and so I think that really helped me get over the I don't know just like the mind fuckery of like everything has to be perfect, especially when it's your business and all of that. So I think that really helped me, you know, figure out what I want to post on social media, what I want my website to look like. I totally redesigned my website recently and it looks like me, it looks like my brand and it's fun and I'm not trying to be an SEO agency out there. That's like super dark and super masculine and super leg, straightforward, Like I add personality and I curse and you know I like to have fun and I think that's really what helped me take my business to the next level, because people wanted to work with me, not just any SEO agency or anything like that out there.
Jennifer Walter:Yeah, I mean, I agree, right, like, if you need to deal, yes, but then at the end of the day, there are loads of skilled people. Yeah, and it's I rather know. Okay, this person also aligns with how I see the world, with my values, and especially like has like, shows compassion and understanding If I tell them, sorry, can do the meeting later today. My kid is sick, I am sick, whatever, right, because I, this is my life. I have a four year old, I have a chronic illness and this is no excuse, but sometimes just life happens and if you're being a wine little bitch about it, then we cannot work together because it will both make us both miserable. Right, yeah, I will feel guilty, you'll feel disappointed, and it's just like wait, wait, wait, wait. It's just not going to work.
Lindsay May:Yeah, I had COVID for three weeks in January of this year and I was like I was so sick, I was like knocked off my ass, I could not go for a walk, I couldn't cook for myself, like I was really, really sick and I thought, well, there goes my business. Like I'm going to lose everything and all my clients are going to quit on me because I can't attend meetings and I can't do work for them. And January was one of my highest months in business by far. Like it was a five-figure month. I hit all my revenue goals for like the first month of the year. I had no idea and I just had to email my clients and say I had COVID, I'm like super sick and I can't work right now. I'm so sorry. I'm going to, you know, extend this or whatever. And they were like oh, my gosh, we're sick too, like we're not doing any work, feel free, you know. And I actually got new clients because I would wrote I'm out sick for COVID. And they're like, well, when you get back, I'd love to book a strategy call. And it's like, oh, I can actually be a human and still run my business, still make money and, like you said, like family is everything, your health is everything, and if you can't be a human in your own business, then why did we leave corporate and, you know, go all in on this. So I think it's really important to just be authentic and share what you're going through in life. You don't have to, like, have a diary on your social media, you know, but I think it's really important and people will want to work with you more.
Jennifer Walter:I find yeah, and it's one of the big strengths. Right, really show your human, as what I mean. That's what the big corporations have a really hard time to do, right.
Lindsay May:Yeah.
Jennifer Walter:And you and you just kind of like allowing yourself to be more vulnerable and like openly share, like look, this is what's going on. It is what it is Like how, how can we navigate this together? Yeah, in my experience, that has always been like the key. The key or like the highway to do things, because I've always been met with so much understanding and so much compassion. So it has, yeah, it has never failed me as kind of like as a strategy to be human. I mean just even say that is like so messed up.
Lindsay May:No, I love that. Yeah, so good.
Jennifer Walter:So you said like okay, january was like a big month for you. I'm curious like how, how do you like measure progress now, or what? What does making progress mean to you? Like how do you define that now that you're in business for yourself?
Lindsay May:Yeah, so a couple of different ways for me as a human. I no longer have daily panic attacks and I have so much more balance in my life.
Jennifer Walter:That's a good thing.
Lindsay May:It's very good, it's really helpful for me, yeah, but I just feel better, like I feel so much better in in my life. I feel like I have so much less stress and you know, I thought I would have way more stress and there's still stress and entrepreneurship but it just feels so much more balanced and like, okay, I can wake up and not have to check, you know, my chat right away or my email right away. So that's really nice. But you know, I think with income you can kind of get stuck in your head a little bit where you're like I have to make this amount of money or you know this person is is hitting six figures or seven figures, and the comparison is real there. But I feel like for me, I just had to like welcome what was going to come to me. Like if I have one client one month, or 10 clients, like I just have to be present. I have to do my best and show up and invest in each one of those clients that I have. Again, no matter if it's like a $2,000 client or like a $10,000 client, you have to show up. And so I think that really, you know when you can sleep at night and be like I'm not that stress anymore. I love my life and I love my clients and I love getting to help make clients. I think that shows you that you've come a really long way and yeah, it might take a little time to get there, but at the end of the day you just have to feel really good about what you do because it's your business. It's like everything right A corporate job, you can leave it, but when you're an entrepreneur, it really is you as a person, your business, your finances and your family life. So I think you know once you can find that balance and that peace in your life. For me, that's how you know. I've known and realized that, like I've made it quote, unquote or like that, I'm doing something that just brings me so much happiness.
Jennifer Walter:Oh, I love this, love, this journey for you.
Lindsay May:Thank you. I love it for us, so we're doing it. Yes, right.
Jennifer Walter:And it's so deeply personal, individual for all of us, right, and it's always kind of like good to remind yourself to I don't know, even as you just shared it like out loud to kind of like tell yourself that again in different ways, whether you're jamming to journal about it, you write it down or voice it out loud. I know I have to. I mean, I am a self talker, so I do my self talk. It's just so important to kind of like always remind you of that again. Yeah, because we kind of like lose track of that sometimes. And we feel like I remember there was, my first year was really good and my second year was kind of like it was okay, but it was not as good as my first, and it was kind of like, oh, I'm not making any progress. And then I I talk to my partner and I'm like I'm not making any progress, I'm not making it so much money. I'm like, oh, and then he's like, well, like stuff, shit, right. Like he was like, well, I mean, yeah, okay, you might not make as much money yet in this year like you did last year, but like we go I don't know, we go on more dates together. Like you're not like like frantically obsessively retelling everything that happened at work today to me over and over again because you need to process, like you're just more chill, that's everything. So that's progress. And I'm like, yeah, yeah, very true, thank you for feeding me a spoon of my own medicine.
Lindsay May:Yeah, that's so good. And when the people around you realize that you're happier and that you know there is progress, like that means so much. Like I'm single, so I don't have someone to talk to every single day besides like friends and family. But they do notice and sometimes you just need to realize, like you know what I'm killing it, like I'm doing a good job, even though, like, yeah, maybe I went down a month or whatever. Like you know, just have to be proud of yourself, because not a lot of people start a business and put this much energy into it. So I'm really proud of you too, because that's amazing.
Jennifer Walter:I'm very much, I'm very proud of you too.
Lindsay May:Let's hug virtually.
Jennifer Walter:Virtual group hug. Yes, okay, this is okay. We're coming towards the end and this was like a very beautiful ending. I'm like I don't like kind of like want to end it now, but I have a few more things, yeah. First, how can people find you online if they're like, oh, I need help with my SEO or I just want to hang out with Lindsay, where can yeah, so probably just my Instagram for the happy marketing code.
Lindsay May:It's at the happy marketing code. That's where I share a lot of SEO and website tips to really just help your business grow organically through your website, and I also like to have fun there too. But you can find me on my personal page it's the Lindsay within a dot may, and that's where I share, like the day to day of entrepreneurship and the struggle and how to support yourself and your mental health, and where I share the podcast, and so I have a lot of fun there and I just love connecting with entrepreneurs and supporting everyone's journey because I know how hard it is. But, yeah, I'd love to connect with you all.
Jennifer Walter:Perfect, yes, let's do that, and I have like a quick rapid fire question around you ready. I'm excited. Yeah, okay, very good, okay. So number one what would be your number one advice for anyone starting out in their business?
Lindsay May:You just you have to take one step each day. You have to take one action each day to build toward that, because it's not all going to happen at once. So, freaking, go for it. Take a little step today while you're listening to this episode, and I promise it's going to get easier and you're going to get even more motivated to just go all in and go for it.
Jennifer Walter:Yes, I love that. Okay, two, what goal or dream do you have always had? What happened yet? Pursuit.
Lindsay May:You know, I would love to go on a stage and talk about SEO, because it's not very sexy. I would like to make it fun and funny.
Jennifer Walter:Well, I think the SEO was very sexy.
Lindsay May:Oh, thank you. Yeah, it can be. It can make you a lot of money, right. It's pretty sexy. I love everything organic. Me too, I love it. Yes, that's a dream.
Jennifer Walter:And plus, there are not many women in SEO. Exactly.
Lindsay May:It's a lot of dudes, a lot of dudes, a lot of bros. I'm not a brow, I promise. I'll bring some humor.
Jennifer Walter:Yeah, do something fun and chic, Like I'll be there, Like that sounds like fun. Yeah, Last one at least. What book are you currently reading or listening to?
Lindsay May:Okay. So the book that like gets me through this entrepreneurship journey is you're about us and making money. The book is about us because it just like she has Jen as the author she has so much humor and practicality but also like really good tips that like really put it into perspective for you and you're like you know what? I am a bad ass at making money. Even if it's a little bit. Right now I'm building out my empire and it just gives you a lot of confidence. So definitely read that or listen to that, because it's so empowering.
Jennifer Walter:Oh yeah, and it's, you're right. They're really so much fun. So, yeah, that's a very good book. Tip Well, lindsay, thank you so much for spending some time with me on the scenic route. It was so lovely to have you here.
Lindsay May:It was so much fun. Thanks for having me.
