Episode Summary
“I was so inspired by the amount of talent within our military and veteran community that I truly wanted to create a place where we could all come together and support one another.”
– Monica Fullerton, Founder & CEO of Spouse-ly
Veteran Voices has always shined a spotlight on the stories and experiences of veterans, but they are not the only ones who serve. The spouses and families that send them off and follow them as they move around the globe serve as well – and they, too, have stories to tell.
In today’s episode, we not only get to hear the story of a military spouse, Monica Fullerton, who is married to an Air Force Pilot and her high school sweetheart. We will also learn about her entrepreneurial journey – one that landed her on the Forbes #Next1000 list.
In this episode of Veteran Voices, produced in partnership with Vets2Industry, Scott Luton interviews Monica Fullerton about:
· How being a military spouse impacts the professional aspirations of those individuals, leading to a military spouse unemployment rate of 24%
· Why the grit and passion of military spouses gives them precisely the qualities needed to become successful entrepreneurs
· Her future plans to grow Spouse-ly and her advice for other entrepreneurs, whether they are in military families or not
Episode Transcript
Intro (00:02):
Welcome to veteran voices, a podcast dedicated to giving a voice to those that have served in the United States, armed forces on this series, jointly presented by supply chain now, and vets to industry. We sit down with a wide variety of veterans and veteran advocates to gain their insights, perspective, and stories from serving. We taught with many individuals about their challenging transition from active duty to the private sector, and we discuss some of the most vital issues facing veterans today. Join us for this episode of veteran voices.
Scott Luton (00:45):
Hey everybody, Scott Luton with you here on veteran voices. Welcome to today’s show big. Thanks for joining us today. We’ve got a great episode. We’re gonna be talking with an ambitious and successful entrepreneur who also wears a very important hat of serving as a military spouse. Uh, stay tuned for what promises to be an inspiring, intriguing, and uplifting conversation. And you’re gonna learn a lot too from a fellow founder. So stay tuned a quick program it, before we get started here today, this program is part of a supply chain. Now is family programming, but we can’t do it without our friends over@vetstoindustryfitstoindustry.org. Now a nonprofit doing some really home run stuff for our fellow veteran community. Uh, so check them out and, and, and find where you can, you can jump in and support them. Of course, you can find a veteran voices wherever you get your podcasts would welcome your review.
Scott Luton (01:32):
And of course, uh, subscribe. So you’ll miss conversations just like this one. Okay. I’m excited about this for a number of reasons because we need to feed be featuring more fellow military entrepreneurs and more military spouses. This is a powerhouse interview. So let me tell you a little about our featured guests here today. Our guests was recently named a trailblazer in tech by military spouse magazine, but wait, there’s more, she was also just recently named by Forbes magazine. Yes. That Forbes magazine for being included on their next 1000 list, or we’ll learn more about that. She founded spousely, uh, where she continues to serve as CEO and perhaps most importantly, she’s mother to, to fraternal twins and wife to an air force pilot, which I’m looking forward to learn a lot more. I want to welcome in Monica Fullerton, Monica, how are you doing?
Monica Fullerton (02:19):
Hey, I’m doing good. Thanks for having me.
Scott Luton (02:21):
You bet. It was great. We rubbed elbows back on one of those mega networking events that Brian and the vets to industry team puts together. We, we, I think we were both sharing pre-show they do wonderful work for the veteran community. Huh?
Monica Fullerton (02:34):
Love that’s the industry, man. You talk about just a great community filled with amazing people that are just looking for ways to support one another. It’s just an awesome place to be
Scott Luton (02:44):
You’re right. Absolutely. And, and, you know, they spotlight outstanding businesses, resources and leaders just like yourself. So I’m looking forward to diving more into your story. Cause it looks like y’all keep picking up more and more momentum. So, but before we get to the heavy let’s, let’s get to know Monica a little better. So tell us yet, universal question. Where’d you grow up and, and give us a goods on your upbringing a little bit.
Monica Fullerton (03:06):
Yeah. So I am, uh, born and raised in a small town in Ohio. My husband is actually from there as well. Um, we are high school sweethearts never imagined in a million years that we would actually, you know, end up together and, you know, be able to live this crazy life by each other’s side. Cause we were so young, but yes, we’re both from Ohio and that’s where all of our family is still at.
Scott Luton (03:33):
Wonderful. All right. So that’s a really special tie high school sweethearts. And now you’re doing big things growing, a family, growing businesses, serving the country and more so what’s one thing. Think back to your earliest times dating, was there any traditions or habits or a special restaurant or something that you all spent time at?
Monica Fullerton (03:53):
Gosh, we talk about this all the time. We loved hibachi, we still love hibachi, but, um, I remember one time he had a borrowed, someone that he had known, like, you know, their, their, uh, escalate. And we were going on this fancy date with our braces on and you know, our best clothes as much as they can be at that age. And we went on our fancy dinner to hibachi together and it was just so funny to look back at those pictures and we both had braces at the same
Scott Luton (04:19):
Time, so yeah. Oh man. Hey, it’s the small things that you look back on. So I love that. Okay. So I wanna switch gears and talk more about your experiences and journey as a, uh, first as a military spouse, we’re going to dive into your entrepreneurial journey here momentarily too, if you could, you know, we’re talking to pre-show and we’re gonna try to do a better job of, of here at veteran voices of spotlight, more of the military spouse, POV and military family POV. I think oftentimes as much as I love to see the love that our veterans get, you know, there’s other folks that serve and sacrifice a lot and don’t always get a ton of attention. So tell us if you could shed some light on for our audience about the military spouse journey.
Monica Fullerton (05:01):
Yeah, I think it’s something that’s a really important and something that’s very near and dear to my heart because like many other military spouses out there, but we have these big hopes and dreams and you know, we’re career-driven and we see all of these things, but then when you start, you know, entering into the military life and into the military world, you quickly realize that sometimes you have to pivot and shift gears because maybe that, that big dream of, for me, it was becoming the next Oprah, which is, I know really hilarious and we can have a good laugh about it, but I just was always inspired by the power of communication and how she was able to bring people together and inspire one another. So I moved to south Florida, um, on a mission. I went to school for broadcast journalism and communications. And that was, that was my end goal.
Monica Fullerton (05:51):
I wanted to build up my career in Florida and I, I didn’t really think much of it. But then, like I said, when I ended up getting back together with my high school, sweetheart, I quickly had to pivot. I didn’t really think that I would be able to do this and be moving around every two to three years. And so unfortunately the military spouse unemployment rate has been at 24% for nearly a decade. And that’s, um, due to it being hard to hold a traditional career that can move around with our lifestyle. I was one of the very lucky military spouses that ended up, you know, uh, working for a company that I was able to work remote. I was able to continue working my way up, even wherever the military sent us, but it really boiled my blood. It made me mad. It made me mad to see my fellow military spouses, not having, you know, that easy route of doing something that they truly loved that could move around with them. And, um, that’s, that’s kind of what stem to where I’m at today is being able to help others that are navigating entrepreneurship and finding new ways to navigate military life, being a military spouse, holding down the Fort and just dealing with the frequent, um, unknown.
Scott Luton (07:05):
Right? So you shared a lot there. And I want to kind of back up for a second because I want to dive deep into spouse at which I love what you’re doing. They’re such a force multiplier at attacking this challenge, but I went back up to the challenge itself. She said 24% is the unemployment rate if I heard you. Right. Uh, for military spouses for like 10 years. Yeah, yep.
Monica Fullerton (07:26):
Over a decade. And you know, it’s just something that, like I said, it boils my blood. It makes me mad. These are just because you’re a military spouse and you’re standing by your spouses, you know, um, calling to serve our nation, which is incredible. You shouldn’t have to also put your own career dreams on the side for that though. Yeah.
Scott Luton (07:45):
Well said. And if you think of some of the reasons, so that said, it really crystallizes in our listeners mind, is it clearly lots of moving around? Right. Would you also w what if you had a short list of reasons? Uh, my hunch, as I’m thinking through it, it’s moving. And then as this other spouse is deployed, perhaps, and then they have to lead the family, which can take away from their, their career aspirations. What else would you add to the list there?
Monica Fullerton (08:11):
Yeah, just to holding a traditional career, you know, um, if it’s not remote, then they’re losing all of that time by trying to commute. They’re trying to, you know, make it all work, having childcare, trying to figure out navigating life without having family nearby half the time. I mean, let’s face it. Most of the time our family is like across the country and it’s hard. You’re doing a lot on your own. Um, it’s not like you can easily call up mom and be like, Hey, I’m not feeling good today. Can you come watch the kids? Or, you know, it just doesn’t work like that in our lifestyle. And that’s why, um, the amount of grit and strength and resilience that military spouses have really makes them such an incredible, um, just, you know, an impactful piece to entrepreneurship or being an employee at a company, because these are great qualities. Right. Very great qualities
Scott Luton (09:05):
To find a way to make it happen. Yeah. So often, and time and time again, do you find that the community amongst military spouses, is that something you you’ve grown to?
Monica Fullerton (09:16):
Yes. And you know, it’s one of those things that you don’t really know exists sometimes, like for me, because I was living this remote work life and I was in my career and doing all different things that I’d actually didn’t realize that there was so many amazing resources out there with my fellow military spouses and that community piece. And once you start finding out what’s available and just other people in your shoes or trying to help others, I mean, gosh, the sky’s the limit. Like there are just so many amazing organizations that are, are built around, um, just our community.
Scott Luton (09:50):
That’s great. Well, hopefully we can, we can continue to grow that, that community of resources and attack that 24% rate. Um, that’s that is disappointing to hear. Okay. Well, speaking of attacking the rate and speaking of seeing something that kind of burns your blood, as you, as you put it in doing something about it, you’ve built one heck of a, of a growing platform that, that provides a powerful access to military spouses and other members that want to be, um, entrepreneurs, right. And, and reach markets. So I want to talk about, let’s actually flip these questions first off, tell us in a nutshell, what spouse who does and we’ll talk about your why.
Monica Fullerton (10:27):
Okay. Yes. Spousely is an online marketplace where you can find a wide variety of handmade products and services all created by military spouses, veterans, veteran spouses, active duty members. And we just expanded to first responders and their families. So I like to call it, you know, the Etsy meets Angie’s list, but with a focus on shopping for social good and supporting our nation’s heroes,
Scott Luton (10:51):
Love that. And wow. That is perfect. In a nutshell, I love on the money. Okay. So without making any assumptions, tell us, tell us what was your, why and what directly led you to found taking a huge leap, right. Big risk as any entrepreneur does and founding spouse.
Monica Fullerton (11:10):
Yeah. So I really wanted to tackle that problem of, you know, spouses being discouraged and feeling like, you know, they couldn’t hold that traditional career, um, and moving around frequently with the military. So I wanted to provide those extra income generating opportunities, no matter where the military life sends us. And I was so inspired by the amount of talent alone within our military and veteran community that I truly just wanted to create a place where we could all come together, support one another. And like we had talked about, you know, before our community super power is support. So why not create a place where other people can come together and shop small and make a big impact.
Scott Luton (11:52):
Wow. I love that. So I’m an admittedly, I’m not a non technologist. Right. I’ve just, we just, uh, signed up for another platform for virtual events. And I was like, oh, no problem. I’ll jump in there and parade this event. And we’re often like, oh, it’s above my pay grade. So I want to think of something like spouse leave and, and especially the technology side of the business. How did you cross that divide? How, how did you, I mean, clearly it didn’t intimidate you like it does mean sometimes how’d you how’d you do that?
Monica Fullerton (12:22):
Yeah. That’s a really great question. So, um, it all started obviously with the idea and seeing the need for it. Um, I knew that I personally was not going to be capable of how in-depth I wanted this platform to be. There was like everything from the small details of just a button that you click to the features and things like that, that I was kind of overwhelmed with how I really truly wanted to be able to build it out. So I found a local veteran owned web development company. What I did was I put together basically just a diagram with a bunch of information in a PowerPoint. I said, this is how I want it to look. This is what I needed to include. And, um, I need you to help me build it. And so they helped me get everything off the ground and running. Um, I would say it probably took about, uh, four or five months to build. And then from there I’ve been able to teach myself a bunch of different coding and programming and also partnering with other companies that can help me keep adding those, uh, technical, uh, features.
Scott Luton (13:26):
I love that. So you had a crystal clear vision is what I’m hearing. And
Monica Fullerton (13:31):
Like I said, all the way down to all the details. So, um, and if you notice the spouse Lee main color, that is my favorite color. It’s a color that has always driven me to be the best version of myself. And I wanted it to make an impact in this brand as well.
Scott Luton (13:47):
All right. Love that. All right. So let’s talk about what’s next. There’s so much there, and it’s too much to fit into a single conversation. There’s, there’s a ton of momentum and growth and success and, and, uh, but tell us a little bit, well, you know what, I’ll tell you what I want to ask about this Forbes magazine recognition, and then we’ll talk about what’s next for the, the, um, the platform spousely and to be on a Forbes list. You mentioned it Oprah earlier. Holy cow, you’ve got something in common with Oprah. So how did that, I guess what makes up the list? Is it fellow entrepreneurs? Is it business leaders? What, what’s, what makes up the next 1000 lists?
Monica Fullerton (14:23):
Yeah. So the next to the Forbes X 1000 is basically companies that are making an impact entrepreneurs that are, you know, putting everything out there to truly grow from the ground up. And it’s about that passion, that grit. And so I just love that they’ve come together and have been able to highlight and share these businesses because, you know, we both know growing something from the ground up, it takes time and it takes support and it takes a ton of strength. So an honor to be on this, uh, Forbes next 1000 lists, we’ve also been very lucky. Um, we’ve been featured in success magazine, CNBC. We are the mighty PenFed credit union came to us and put together a video on our communities. So we’ve been very, very grateful for the opportunities that continue to come our way to showcase our community.
Scott Luton (15:11):
I love that. Have you ever stopped to think about how spousely is creating the opportunities for other entrepreneurs to enjoy that same beyond the recognition business success, early business success?
Monica Fullerton (15:25):
Yeah, and that’s where I, that’s where my passion truly lies is just being, um, you know, on that journey with these entrepreneurs, whether it’s a business that’s just starting out or a business that’s already, you know, at those next steps. That’s what is really incredible about spousely is we have vendors of all different sizes. I actually have vendors on spousely that started their business because of spousely. And, um, that to me, like I get chills thinking about it because that’s the piece that I love most that empowerment being able to just show others that you can do it. You have a community behind you that believes in it, and with the right tools and resources, we can do anything no matter what life throws at
Scott Luton (16:08):
Us. I love it. I’m going to have to get a spouse tattoo that wall behind me, I’m ready to run through it. This is what we need. This is exactly what we need is such a, um, it makes so much sense. I love for folks that might be a little bit slow, like me Etsy. What was that? Etsy meets Angie’s list. And then, yeah. And we’re
Monica Fullerton (16:26):
Combining both product vendors and service vendors all onto one platform. So it gives that true one-stop shop feel while, you know, shopping for social goods, supporting these amazing, uh, small businesses.
Scott Luton (16:39):
I love it. All right. So tell us what’s next, all this momentum and growth and success and, and, and purpose. Um, what’s next for the company?
Monica Fullerton (16:48):
Yeah, what’s next to, oh my gosh. So I am a solo preneur. Um, I have very, very big plans for spousely, um, determined to make it a household name. I know that I need to continue to getting the right people, um, and expertise behind me to help me really continue to power this. So we’re getting ready to raise our first round of funding. I’ve done everything out of pocket up to this point, and we’re looking to raise between 200 and 500,000 to get us started to really boost marketing, to grow our team and to, um, continue expanding. And then also partnerships and sponsorships. I am. That is something that is very important to our mission is to continue to partner and have sponsors that believe in what we’re doing that are able to help us continue to move mountains for all of these business owners.
Scott Luton (17:38):
Okay. I love that man. Big, bold visions. That’s how big things happen? Mountains mood really. Okay. Now one of my favorite questions, I’m going to ask you here today and listeners, hopefully you’re enjoying this conversation. I told you I was going to be inspiring. Let’s think about all these folks that maybe, maybe they haven’t launched their business yet. Maybe they hadn’t even arrived at the idea of what, you know, what it is. That’s going to make them be ready to jump out of the, off the branch, so to speak or folks in the early stages, you know, fighting the typical, uh, hash as Greg white says, hashtag startup life. Right. All the good and the bad that comes with that. So what, what would your advice be to these people?
Monica Fullerton (18:18):
Yeah, so we just spent, you know, a while talking about all of the positives and all of the amazing things, but, uh, let’s be honest. It’s been an emotional roller coaster and it’s something that, um, I strongly believe that those bumps, that you’re going to hit along the way. Um, don’t see them as a negative, see them as, how can I get over this bump and turn it into a positive, I think that any human out there that is an entrepreneur and growing, uh, something knows that it is not all rainbows and sunshine all the time. We have our highs, we have our lows. And my biggest piece of advice that I can give is just enjoy the bumps that happen in the road, because they’re there for a reason. And that’s what helps make you stronger.
Scott Luton (19:02):
Excellent. Uh, excellent. I love how you put that because that’s those tough days, the toughest days where gosh, things just don’t go, right. That’s what we learned from, and we pull ourselves up and we get out of our comfort zone and it it’s like, um, I can’t remember how they temper steel. It tempers your, your core within I think. Yeah.
Monica Fullerton (19:23):
Well, I have one favorite quote that goes with all this that I’d love to, that I just think is so powerful. It’s um, when comfort ends growth begins, and that is something that I have truly seen firsthand. I just recently quit my corporate career to focus on growing spousely and anyone who knows me knows that this was a very, very hard decision because you have your security, right? You have your security piece from that world, and now you’re entering into the unknown world. But, um, what I can say is when you are passionate about what you’re doing, um, there is no looking back.
Scott Luton (19:59):
I love that. What a great message, because there’s folks listen to this right now that they they’ve got a vision, they got their own vision, they’ve got their own idea, but man, they’re clinging to that, that comfort blanket and that regular paycheck and the benefits and everything that goes with it. Uh, and some books it’s, it’s terrifying, but you know, this as we kind of hear about your journey, that’s the best art of the, as part of the art of the possible. And so I’m looking forward to seeing what, you know, how you, how you realize what’s next and execute on the opportunity that is for spouses to make it a household name. So let’s make sure folks know how to connect with you. Monica, Fullerton, founder, and CEO at spousely. How can folks connect in and jump in and support you?
Monica Fullerton (20:45):
Yeah. Connect with me on, I love meeting people on there, finding things that we can connect on as well as at a deeper level. Um, you can also email me@monicaatspouse-oy.com. And, um, our website is spouse dash L y.com. And if you type in Google, spousely all one word it’ll come up to make life easier.
Scott Luton (21:07):
Wonderful. Well, Hey folks, if you want to be a, a product supplier or a service provider, or if you want a sponsor or partner or just a, be a customer, you know, get behind the, uh, the great social angle here, which is important and support our, our fellow entrepreneurs and, and military families, and first responders you name it. What a great, great story. Big, thanks to Monica Fullerton again, founder and CEO with spousely. We hope to have you back on soon.
Monica Fullerton (21:37):
Yes. Thanks again for having me today.
Scott Luton (21:38):
You bet, man. What a great story. So folks, hopefully you enjoyed this conversation as much as I have. Again, big, thanks to our friends over@vetstoindustrydotorgusedtobe.com. Now it’s dot org, uh, a jump in support, these, uh, wonderful leaders and businesses spousely and [inaudible] um, and Hey, if you’re a, um, a veteran with a story to tell, reach out to us, you can find us across social media, veteran voices. We’d love to, um, you know, work in our production and, and share your story with our listing audience as well. Find some subscribed to wherever you get your podcasts from. And most importantly, Scott Luton signing off the entire team here. Uh, hope you have a wonderful rest of your week. Hey, do good gift forward. Be the change that’s needed to be just like Monica. And on that note, we’ll see you next time right here at veteran voices. Thanks everybody.
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When Comfort Ends, Growth Begins: Monica Fullerton with Spouse-ly
Featured Guests
Military life often requires wearing lots of hats, and that’s especially true for Monica Fullerton. She was recently named a Trailblazer in Tech by Military Spouse Magazine and is an ambitious entrepreneur, twin mom, and Air Force spouse. She has long dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur, but she wanted her efforts to support a greater purpose than just starting a business. In an effort to provide highly transient military families, as well as those that have previously served, a space to market their products and services regardless of their duty station, Monica launched Spouse-ly. Connect with Monica on LinkedIn.
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