Interviewed By: Christina Etchberger
Christina Etchberger chats with fellow military spouse Camille Deal of Homegrown Happiness Co. Join our conversation about her website and all that she does as a military spouse entrepreneur!
1. Tell us a little about you and your family. How long has your spouse been a part of the military, and share with us about your journey so far?
My husband and I are high school sweethearts. We have been together since 2014, and got married in December after he joined the military in June 2017. It is funny to think back on those first few experiences.. Feeling like boot camp, Airborne school, and RASP were the hardest days of our lives. We laugh at those experiences now. Those are nothing compared to a deployment that came a month after our son was born, or the call the morning after my husband was injured on deployment, or even raising our son during Ranger School.
2. What is the story behind your website Homegrown Happiness Co. How did it get its start? What inspired you to create this amazing resource and community for military spouses and families?
Homegrown Happiness Co came to life in 2019 when I finally admitted to myself that I was ready to dive into the entrepreneur world. I always joke and say that Homegrown Happiness is where motherhood & military life mix, but it really is! I am paying bills as an influencer in the realm of motherhood, but I felt like I was truly drawn to share my experiences as a military spouse. About 6 months after I started producing articles regularly, I discovered Jasmin Cruz, the creator of the Milsomuster App. We hit it off and decided to start our little partnership! Producing content for her has really held me accountable. I’ve branched outside of Army life, and I’m now sharing resources for all branches!
The Homegrown Happiness Co name comes from the really simple idea that happiness is made at home… In between the walls where you read bedtime stories, cuddle on the couch, and separate work from family. I’ve always loved the Mother Teresa quote that says, ‘If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.’ It is so true! Happiness starts at home. Raising happy children. Living a loving marriage. Holding onto your family. Sharing appetizers with other military wives while you chatter about the upcoming training cycle. Some of the most beautiful things in life happen right at home.
3. Tell us your favorite part about your site and social media community! What is something that you would love fellow military spouses to know is available at Homegrown Happiness Co.
I truly love being able to reach families of all kinds with my social networks. Facebook is the first to know about all new blog posts and where I share current events for fellow military businesses. My Instagram is a melting pot of my life. You can laugh with me, cry with me, and see tonnnnns of pictures of my absolutely handsome little boy, Colt. I try extremely hard to support my community, so my military related articles and small business spotlights are some of my favorite. I met some incredible business owners early on with Homegrown Happiness Co by reaching out to them and asking if I could know more about what they offer.
4. How do people subscribe to your weekly newsletter? What should they expect to read from you each week?
I’ll be the first to admit that weekly newsletters aren’t my thing. Maybe it is my slight social anxiety, but I’ve never jumped into sending them! I spend a lot of time on my different social media channels, so you can easily follow along on those and keep up to date with everything going on over at Homegrown Happiness Co.
5. Where can people find you on social media? What is the best way to connect with you online?
I would absolutely love to connect with more followers! For military related articles, you can check those out on my website or on the Milsomuster app. There are also motherhood related articles on my website. You can find me on Facebook and Instagram by searching for @Homegrownhappinessco, or you can connect with me on Linked-in by searching for Camille Deal!
My shop is www.instagram.com/shopmossandpine and facebook.com/mossandpine — I’ve got a giveaway up for a free digital portrait right now on Moss and Pine!