Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samantha Mans. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Samantha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

It was the start of 2017. A new year, we hadn’t even been married a year and a half yet. And I was dreading it. The goodbyes and the loneliness. I said see you later to my husband in a different state and over 6 hours from home. I wouldn’t see him again for at least 6 months (the deployment was set for 11). All the anxiety flooded in. It was paralyzing and took up all of my brain space. I knew I couldn’t let the next year go by feeling like that every day. I don’t like being stuck and I’ve always been one to research and figure things out. I chatted with my doctor, a therapist, and started a routine that seemed trivial at the time. I wrote out daily 3-5 small very detailed things I was thankful for and one “I am” affirmation. A habit that I formed and used as a daily prayer that kept me grounded, in the present, and able to not just survive that time apart but find skills and ways forward that would last and help me in the future was priceless. My gratitude and affirmation practice has completely shifted my perspective not only within our Military life, but in my life as a whole. Hardships still happen and challenges try to hold us down, but we meet them with a posture of confidence and knowing we can overcome them that wasn’t there a decade ago. This very practice and trying to find a journal that was simple, effective, and didn’t add more to my to do list each day was how Happiness Unleashed LLC was formed. I took the very practice that I used (for 6 years at the time, now over a decade) and created a journal that could help others the way it has helped me. Without the fluff, or extra to do tasks. Simple, effective, efficient, and life changing if you put in the work. “Simply Grateful” is a gratitude and affirmation journal for daily life that will help you stay in the present, focused on the good things even amidst challenges, and will help to reframe your mindset and perspective.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve always called my resume eclectic. I went to school for radiologic technology, earned my X-ray and CT boards, and worked in the medical field for over a decade. I’ve been in hospitals and clinics, now I work from home for a genetic company. I’ve studied theology and received my certification in youth and family ministry which I still use as I continue to volunteer in our local church communities. Each place we’ve lived, each season, I’ve needed different aspects of my past to help me. Whether that’s through paid careers, part time work, volunteering, or sitting on governing boards for non-profits. I believe all of these pieces have helped to shape me. I’ve lived through many transitions, moves, and life changes. Just like fellow military spouses and I feel that being able to show up in our communities as someone who can be an example of the perspective shift from “misery loves company” to being fully blessed by this life can help others in profound ways.
Beyond my journal that started it all, I have affirmations card decks for a good daily pep talk, random acts of kindness decks so you can involve your family in sharing kindness in your neighborhood and community. And I haven’t forgotten about the kids. “Simply Grateful kids edition” journal is special to me because the exact questions that are asked in this journal are the ones we ask my daughter daily. It helps re ground her each evening so she can go to sleep without the anxiety and stress of the day.
A piece of my business that brings me a lot of joy is my inside happiness crew. This group is special because they allow me into their inboxes a few times each month to share gratitude, tips, full series on goal setting, book clubs, and more. It’s very fun to bring such value to their inbox.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I have my own website and domain that I use for everything in my business. It’s a shopping page, blog, founding stories, and shares some partnerships I have. It’s been pivotal to getting started for me. Some website are costly and you have to find the right fit for you. I personally don’t pay much for my website and part of that is because I spend the time doing all the design work and maintenance myself for the actual website building.

Another page I use is Spouse-ly. It’s a whole hub of over 1,000 businesses all in one place. The difference between them and other similar platforms is that spouse-ly exists for military owned, military spouse owned, first responders owned, first responder spouse owned, and veteran owned businesses. Their mission and vision is unmatched and they give so much back to the vendors and business owners. They help us promote and market, and run amazing training to help you not only succeed but grow and find a community within the business owners space.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

The service that is very valuable for me is my email provider. I use flodesk so I have many options for sending and scheduling my emails. This is a bigger investment for me but the payout and features they offer is very worth the investment.

My email list is how I continue to grow my reach and get more than a limited character social media post out to my insiders. They get exclusives, previews of launches, discount codes, and extra value that my social media following doesn’t.

I do a few different series each year with a theme (such as goal setting) that helps people diving into a topic and really learn and explore how that topic can help them or how they can achieve something. I’ve also done book clubs where we discuss and read a personal development book together. It’s fun, more personal, and a way to connect.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Happinesswithsamantha.com
• Instagram: @happinesswithsamantha
• Facebook: @happinesswithsamantha
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-mans-2ba6a5263?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
• Other: https://spouse-ly.com/store/Happiness-Unleashed

Image Credits

Bphotobybarbra (Barb Mans Photography)