Meet a Milspouse - Our Chat with Laura Early - Charliemadison Originals LLC

Meet a Milspouse - Our Chat with Laura Early

We believe stories are important - they connect us with other women who share similar experiences and help us feel as if we're not alone when life throws us a curveball. And as a military spouse - owned company, we believe in the power of sharing stories of fellow military spouses. The military spouse community is a unique sisterhood - they show strength with every relocation, deployment, and lost job; they’re resilient - making a new home and forming new friendships at each duty station; and they are fiercely devoted to the family and military hero they love. Despite the uncertainty and sacrifice that military life brings, military spouses face each new challenge with grace and bravery. At Charliemadison Originals, we're celebrating our sisterhood of military spouses through our Meet a Milspouse series - sharing one story at a time and giving you a glimpse inside their world.


GIVE US A BEHIND-THE-SCENES PEEK AT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY – HOW DID YOU BECOME A MILITARY SPOUSE (MILSPOUSE)? WHAT DO YOU DO IN ADDITION TO BEING A MILSPOUSE? AND A FUN FACT ABOUT YOUR MILITARY FAMILY?

To be honest, I never thought that I would be a military spouse. The military lifestyle was simply not something that interested me. I met my husband, Greg, while we were in college and he was ROTC. After graduation from college, Greg and I both agreed that we would pursue our careers independent from one another.

I took a position with an international non-profit company where I was traveling the world and loving life. However, my heart was always drawn back to Greg. We eventually reconnected, began dating, and I decided to leave my career when we got married. I like to say that Greg ultimately won in the end.

Laura Early, Army spouse

In addition to being a MilSpouse, I am the Co-Founder and Deputy Director of WISE Advise + Assist. WISE Advise + Assist is a virtual assisting agency, powered by military spouses, that helps small businesses get their time back through outsourcing. I also serve on several non-profit and advisory boards in the military community. In our downtime, Greg and I love adventure, traveling, and “brunching”.

Fun Fact: I am an immigrant that is originally from Scotland.

Laura Early, Wise Advise + Assist, military spouse entrepreneur


WHICH MILITARY BRANCH DOES YOUR SPOUSE SERVE IN AND FOR HOW MANY YEARS HAS HE SERVED?

Greg is in the United States Army and has served for almost 10 years


WHERE HAS THE MILITARY MOVED YOUR FAMILY OVER THE YEARS? WHICH WAS YOUR FAVORITE DUTY STATION AND WHY?

Fort Benning, Georgia (Twice)

Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Fort Carson, Colorado

Washington, D.C.

Our favorite duty station was Fort Carson, Colorado because of how amazing the weather was throughout the year. It literally never rained and was always sunny. We also lived in a fantastic community with the most supportive and friendly people. Additionally, the area had endless possibilities when it came to extracurricular activities.


WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MILITARY SPOUSE? TELL US SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED OR HAS MADE YOU STRONGER BECAUSE YOU ARE A MILSPOUSE?

My favorite thing about being a MilSpouse is the community. I have had the opportunity to meet the most diverse, inspirational, boss spouses who do amazing things on a regular basis. They power through some of the hardest circumstances and make this life look easy.

It is also amazing to be able to walk into a room of people who you don’t know and immediately feel like you belong. I have found that this is something that happens far more often in the military community than in the civilian community.

Laura Early, military spouse

The resilience that military life requires has made me a stronger person overall. It has taught me to rely on my friends and family and never doubt what I am capable of doing. We have been through a lot in our military journey: 3 deployments, countless TDY’s, and we have suffered some family loss.

All of these events have also taught me that you can get through anything and having the community support you an integral part in that. All of these events have taught me that you can get through anything, especially when you have community support.


WHO INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?

My Dad is my biggest inspiration. My Dad moved his young family, a wife and four children who were all under the age of six, to America 26 years ago. He arrived with 10 suitcases, 12 boxes, and $1,000 to his name. He and my mother have built a phenomenal life for our family.

I didn’t realize until I became an adult how much my parents went through and sacrificed on that journey. The amount of faith, strength, and steadfastness that move took.

Since immigrating to the United States, my Dad has been able to build an amazing career and now owns his own business. He has provided more for our family than most people in his situation could ever dream of (including building a dream home and sending four children to college).

My parents' faith and boldness are the cornerstone of my story. I am continually inspired by my Dad’s drive and determination, loyalty and support of our family, and the continued work he does in the community, church, and companies he works with.


WHICH CHARLIEMADISON EVERYDAY REMINDER DO YOU WEAR ON YOUR WRIST AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT PARTICULAR BRACELET?

Trust Your Journey bracelet by Charliemadison Originals

Trust Your Journey Bracelet

I love the Trust your Journey bracelet and I selected it because the journey of being an entrepreneur and military spouse has a lot of unknowns. These unknowns make it really easy to get caught up in your circumstances and what’s going on in the moment instead of trusting that you are on that journey for a reason and that there will be great things ahead. I love having a simple reminder that things happen for a reason.


WHAT DO YOU DO TO STAY CONNECTED TO WHAT MATTERS MOST, DESPITE THE UNCERTAINTY, FREQUENT MOVES, AND DEPLOYMENTS THAT GO ALONG WITH BEING A MILITARY FAMILY?

I make a conscious effort to stay connected with the people who know me outside of my circumstances or where I move. Prioritizing myself and ensuring that I take some time away to travel and do things that I enjoy helps me to regroup and to remember what is important in my life.

My tribe of close friends and family also play a key role in helping me stay connected—they never hesitate to pray with me and to remind me that the season will pass, circumstances are temporary and great things are ahead.

Laura Early, Wise Advise + Assist

WE HAPPEN TO BE QUOTE LOVERS AROUND HERE – CAN YOU SHARE A FAVORITE QUOTE THAT KEEPS YOU INSPIRED? 

“You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.” ~Brene Brown



Laura Early, Army wife

WHERE CAN OUR READERS FIND YOU ONLINE?

WEBSITE

www.wiseadviseteam.com

FACEBOOK

http://www.facebook.com/wiseadviseteam

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/wiseadviseteam

TWITTER

@WISEAdviseTeam

E-MAIL

laura@wiseadviseteam.com