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There are certain women who light up a room with their smile and kindness, making anyone in their orbit feel welcomed and appreciated. Selena Conmackie is one of those women! We’ve been online friends for a few years, always seeming to cross paths in the military spouse entrepreneur space, but after a trip to Las Vegas for the Military Influencer Conference last November, I am proud to say we are now in-real-life friends too. Selena is a veteran Army spouse, Mom, and serial entrepreneur - at Hauoli-Socially Inspired and Anna + Selena - providing creative digital solutions to help fellow entrepreneurs succeed in their businesses.
What an honor it is to shine a light on Selena’s story, her Army family, and the support she provides to fellow military spouse businesses to help them grow and flourish. Say hello to my friend, Selena Conmackie!
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?
I always like to joke Iʻm an old-new military spouse. I married my Army solider when I was 39 years old. We both were previously married and met when he was stationed in my hometown of Oahu, Hawaii. Both of us dipping our toes back into the dating world and we just clicked on our first date. Even though I swore on my list, no military, no this....haha. You love who you love right!
And as in every military love story, we fell in love and started a life of PCSʻing.
Leaving my career in upper management for a corporate restaurant, I found myself in the middle of Lousiana at Fort Polk realizing I was overqualified for the area. And by accident, found myself starting my own business as a Digital Marketer & Wordpress Website Designer. My business name is Hauoli-Socially Inspired (Hauoli means happy in Hawaiian)
Fun Fact: We love hosting parties at our home. And have had so many friends who have become our family away from home, be part of all the big celebrations and holidays.
WHICH MILITARY BRANCH DOES YOUR SPOUSE SERVE IN AND FOR HOW MANY YEARS HAS HE SERVED?
Army. He retired after 24 years in October of 2022.
As we came into my husband's career toward the end, Iʻve only PCSʻed twice. To Fort Polk and Fort Hood (what is now known as Cavazos). Schofield Barracks was my really first duty station after we married months before we left.
Iʻd love to say both Polk & Hood really.
Fort Polk was my first experience being an ocean away from my family that was part of my life since birth. I learned so much about myself and that I was more capable than I gave myself credit for. It was a definite rebirth for me as I started my own business that was thriving.
Fort Hood was where I met incredible people that will be part of my life. My business evolved, we bought our first home together as a married couple, and created a life in the nearing of retirement for my husband.
The military spouse community is truly inspiring. And unexpected. As a civilian, we all have this preconceived notion about what ʻthey doʻ. So with most of my clients coming from the civilian sector, I share with them that by them supporting a military spouse, they help close the gap to our unemployment rate that we face due to our military life.
My husband being deployed twice and a heavy TDY schedule taught me a lot. Iʻve always had support from family members if ever needed with my daughter or myself. Yes, I have friends here that Iʻve made to help now, but itʻs different. I can just show up at my mom's house and eat dinner sheʻs made without question. haha.
WHO INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?
Currently...itʻs Maria Reed. Sheʻs a super humble human being that exudes this kindness for others. Iʻve watched her over the years acknowledge and celebrate the ones who donʻt get seen, or not ʻinvitedʻ to the popular table.
The question really should be which one DONʻT I wear. haha. I have LOVED supporting so many wonderful friends that have had their own bracelets with you all through the Bracelets That Give Back. My recent purchase was Stronghold Food Pantry & AMSE. In doing so, I found a beautiful necklace we gave my daughter for Christmas (which she loved).
**I tried to tell her, if you donʻt like it, I can totally take it. haha.
I have a wonderful extended family back home in Hawaii and try to make multiple trips home to visit (especially to visit my grandmother who is 95). Facetime with besties and the family back home has been a great way to stay connected and feeling like Iʻm still part of their lives.
This life is hard. So acknowledge that and know you definitely are not alone. The spouse you see across the street rocking on her porch with her robe on, the spouse you see pushing the cart at the commissary, or the spouse eating at the food court during lunch with her solider, or the spouse sitting in a chair watching her kids soccer game is or has experienced the struggle part of this lifestyle.
Iʻm the gal that is always looking for the good stuff. Itʻs what keeps my spirits up. If you donʻt see it, think about creating it. I know I did by creating a neighborhood coffee meet up once a month. (And Iʻm an introvert...believe it or not).
WE HAPPEN TO BE QUOTE LOVERS AROUND HERE – CAN YOU SHARE A FAVORITE QUOTE THAT KEEPS YOU INSPIRED?
Iʻll share an ʻŌlelo noʻeau which are proverbs or wise sayings that hold and reflect the beauty, wisdom, and flavor of the Hawaiian worldview.
#2758
Pūpūkāhi i holomua.
Unite in order to progress.
WHERE CAN OUR READERS FIND YOU ONLINE?
selenac@thehauoli.com
Get inspired by the amazing things these military spouses are doing to support military families around the world
