We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsay May and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsay, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

I worked in corporate and startups for my entire career — about 15 years now. But after traveling monthly, working 10-12 hours a day, and having no support as a leader in corporate, I decided I was no longer going to sacrifice my peace and happiness for a paycheck.

Interview after interview, I knew it was time to take my future in my own hands. In January of 2023, I knew it was time to conceptualize a business. I had so much marketing experience, and I knew I wanted to do something with it — but in a way that felt balanced and exciting for me. That’s when I came up with The Happy Marketing Co.

My mission from the beginning was to offer marketing strategy to the *right* clients who were a fit for me. I also wanted my clients to feel happy — happy with our partnership, with their results, and with their mission as well. Through the process of building my company, I also wanted to make sure I was only offering services that I not only had experience in but genuinely wanted to offer. No more work that didn’t light me up!

I workshopped my strengths, passions, and future goals, and that’s how I came up with my services. It’s been exciting, peaceful, and I’m finally SO happy in my career.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

The word “happy” is literally in the name of my business, The Happy Marketing Co. I was unhappy for so long that I wanted to commit to finding happiness and fulfillment — so I put the word in my business name!

What sets me apart is I’m extremely intentional with everything I do. I started as a marketing consultant offering everything from social media, email marketing, paid ads, etc., and I now niched down to offer SEO audits and SEO-first website designs. I’m also a marketing consultant, but every bit of recommendations I offer are tied back to your website. It is built to attract an audience (SEO) via Google? Once someone lands on your website, it is designed to guild their journey? Does your website represent your brand and vision as a business? I truly help my clients transform their businesses by not only increasing traffic but attracting the right clients and customers.

As a business owner, I’m most proud of taking a leap of faith and going for it. I never thought I’d be an entrepreneur, business owner, or mentor. What changed was getting involved in communities that showed me I could change that stigma and find my confidence as a business owner. It wasn’t easy — and some days it still is really hard since nothing is guaranteed when you’re a business owner. But when I get overwhelmed, I check in with myself and realize how happy I am now and that this is truly what’s meant for me.

One major lesson I’ve learned is to trust my gut. I used to try to be like other entrepreneurs or would be paralyzed my intimidation and imposter syndrome. Through a lot of inner work, mentorship, and this whole experience, I’ve learned that no one is exactly like me. I’m incredible at what I do, but I also just try to be a good human to my clients and the people I meet through my business.

What I want people to know is that all the odds were against me. I didn’t have a lot of savings when I quit corporate. I didn’t have a partner who could financially support me while starting my business. And my mental health made launching my business really challenging. But I realized that I didn’t have to do everything by myself. With the money I had, I invested in a mentorship community (we’re talking $50/month, not a $20k coaching program!). I started meditating and sought support to support my health. And I leaned on my friends and family so I didn’t have to do it all alone.

If your gut is telling you to go for something, listen! Although you might not know every detail and outcome, you have to trust yourself to try and make a change in your life. I’m so thankful I trusted my gut and went for my dreams.

Now, I get to help female business owners scale through strategic marketing, particularly with beautiful websites and SEO strategies. I help them find clients, show up on page one of Google, and help others with their unique businesses.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

We have so many amazing places in Denver, but I definitely have some favorites. We would start at Lady Jane for drinks — so eclectic and fun, and their cocktails are delicious. Then we’d go to Postino to share some charcuterie. We’d then walk around that area down to Room For Millie, another favorite. I’d take my friend for a little walk down to the waterfront to walk off the drinks before heading over to Tennyson Street where we’d eat at Voghera Restaurante, a locally owned spot that has the most amazing staff and pasta. We’d end the night at West End, a local spot that always features a good time and interesting people.

The next day, we’d head to the Highlands Farmer’s Market for coffee, a breakfast sandwich, and some local finds. Then we’d go paddle boarding in Evergreen, followed by lunch at a brewery up in the little town there.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Karen Starkey: She started out as my real estate agent, then turned one of my best friends, and finally became a huge supporter of my journey. I could not have done it all without her.

Illume Collection: A women’s mentorship community that has been a part of my entrepreneur story since last year — before I even knew it was coming!

Website: thehappymarketing.co

Instagram: @thehappymarketingco AND @thelindsay.may

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmmaynard/

Facebook: facebook.com/thehappymarketingco

Image Credits
Crystal Rojas @ The Creators Collection @holacrystalrojas

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.