We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mary Rooney Armand a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Mary, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?
Living encouraged is possible by overcoming fear, limitations, and obstacles.
I learned to live encouraged and be an overcomer by observing my parents’ work ethic, kindness toward others, and faith.
My mother arrived in America unable to speak English with limited prospects. My dad worked multiple jobs to make ends meet.
Our family struggled financially but managed to work together and push through adversity. My parents set an example of how to overcome limitations and persevere.
Their determination paved the way for me to become the first person in our family to attend college and graduate.
I am grateful for the foundation my parents laid that guides me personally, professionally and relationally. I’ve learned a spirit of gratitude is the cornerstone for living encouraged instead of defeated.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
In 2019 I created the blog ButterflyLiving.org. ButterflyLiving represents a life transformed by faith.
When a butterfly breaks free from its cocoon they emerge as a new beautiful creation. Similarly accepting that you are a beloved child of God empowers you to embrace a new identity and live free.
On the blog, we share stories and practical examples of walking out a better altogether life with an identity rooted in your faith.
Creating a blog and handling social media was a brand-new process. I had to overcome limitations and detours to fulfill my writing dream and be an encouragement to others.
In 2020 I published my first book on Understanding Your Identity and in 2023 I published a collaboration of life-changing stories with 33 other authors. Both books were opportunities to learn and grow while sharing love and encouragement.
ButterflyLiving helps you live encouraged by addressing topics that threaten your peace and joy. Articles include,
spiritual growth, learning to make decisions, building stronger relationships, overcoming fear, discouragement, and disappointment, addressing rejection, betrayal, loneliness, and parenting insights.
I am most grateful for the thousands of readers encouraged by the blog and books of ButterflyLiving. We also continue to make donations to Compassion International through the profits from the collaborative book “Life Changing Stories”. Compassion is an organization working to change the lives of children in poverty.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
A background in marketing helped me slowly build a following for ButterflyLiving on social media. I started with a small audience and used encouraging messages to grow. It was helpful to focus on helping my readers without expecting viral results.
A few tips I’ve learned along the way:
1. Be Consistent
2. Stick to your unique message
3. Be responsive to your followers
4. Don’t blindly follow trends that don’t apply to your brand
5. Create posts that answer a question or meet a need for your followers
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I used to believe everyone had it all figured out better than I did. I’ve learned that we are all on a journey. Our focus should not be on what others have accomplished or where they are headed.
No one has it all figured out! Instead of comparing ourselves to others, it is better to live grateful and try to work together.
We each have gifts and a purpose to fulfill as long as we are still breathing.
Learning this lesson has freed me to be more confident and step out of my comfort zone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.butterflyliving.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butterflyliving_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BFL2022
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/maryrooneyarmand
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/maryrarmand
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/maryrooneyarmand
