Many successful people reinvented themselves in a later period in their lives. Jeff Bezos worked on Wall Street before he reinvented himself and started Amazon. Sara Blakely sold office supplies before she started Spanx. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was a WWE wrestler before he became a successful actor and filmmaker. Arnold Schwarzenegger went from a bodybuilder, to an actor to a Governor. McDonald's founder Ray Kroc was a milkshake-device salesman before starting the McDonalds franchise in his 50s.
How does one reinvent themselves? What hurdles have to be overcome to take life in a new direction? How do you overcome those challenges? How do you ignore the naysayers? How do you push through the paralyzing fear?
In this series called "Second Chapters; How I Reinvented Myself In The Second Chapter Of My Life " we are interviewing successful people who reinvented themselves in a second chapter in life, to share their story and help empower others.
As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Monique Farmer.
Monique Farmer, APR, is the Vice President of the Omaha (NE) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated where she accepted the call to Linkdom in 2018. She runs a PR/Communication Consultancy, Avant Solutions. Farmer also teaches public relations courses for the University of Texas at Austin. Her career began in federal government public affairs in 2001. She then worked in corporate communications for ConAgra Foods (now ConAgra Brands) prior to serving as the director of communications for Nebraska’s largest school district.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory Can you please give us your favorite "Life Lesson Quote"? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
One of your favorite life quotes is, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." How has this guided you in your journey? That quote has been a compass for me, especially in entrepreneurship. When I started my business five years ago, I initially thought I could do it all by myself. But reality hit quickly: to reach the long-term goals I envisioned, I needed a team, expertise, and collaboration. I first saw this truth in action while participating in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Through that experience, I learned that every successful venture is built on the wisdom, strengths, and unique perspectives of others. Today, I seek out skilled people who bring their own spark to the work we do for our clients.
You've achieved a lot of success. What are the top three qualities you credit for these accomplishments? Could you share a story or example for each?
Sure! I’d actually tie these to my top strengths as identified by Gallup’s StrengthsFinder.
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Futuristic Thinking: I've always been someone who dreams far ahead. Even as a child, I would map out my future with detailed plans, estimating costs for my “future house” or “future car.” This ability to envision has been essential in my career because, as the leader of my company, it's my job to set a bold vision and rally my team around it.
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Maximizer: I’m passionate about taking something that’s good and making it even better. When I bring people onto my team, I love helping them tap into new strengths or push their skills to new heights. For example, I often encourage team members to step into unfamiliar roles or tackle projects that stretch their abilities. It’s amazing to watch them grow and see the quality of our work improve as a result.
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Relator/Relationship Building: I'm naturally drawn to getting to know people deeply, understanding their life stories, motivations, and dreams. I keep a close circle and surround myself with people who share these values, creating genuine, meaningful relationships that uplift and energize us all.
Let’s talk about your "second chapter." Could you share a bit about your career before becoming an entrepreneur?
I come from a 20+ year career in public affairs and public relations, which began with the federal government. I spent my first 12 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, learning the discipline of public relations through rigorous Department of Defense training. Moving into corporate communications, I led efforts like global food recall notifications and employee volunteer programs. These roles taught me to think beyond tactics and focus on strategy. Before transitioning to entrepreneurship, I was at the helm of communications for Nebraska’s largest school district, a position that showed me the immense responsibility of leadership.
What inspired you to reinvent yourself in this second chapter?
Publishing my first book in March 2024 was a big part of this reinvention. Writing a book was on my bucket list since childhood, and completing it was a vulnerable, thrilling experience. It allowed me to share my voice, my story, and my lessons learned with the world in a new way. Stepping into authorship opened doors and created opportunities I hadn’t foreseen, allowing me to share my journey on a larger platform.
Was there a specific moment that pushed you to take the leap into entrepreneurship?
A: Absolutely. My desire to reclaim a sense of balance in my life was the main catalyst. In my career, I’d given so much that I sometimes missed key moments with my family. I wanted flexibility and control over my time. I’m ambitious and always have been, but I didn’t want to advance at the cost of my familial relationships. Entrepreneurship was my way of creating a life where I didn’t have to choose between professional ambition and personal fulfillment.
What new skills have you discovered in yourself since becoming an entrepreneur? How did you develop them?
Entrepreneurship has been a crash course in financial literacy and business acumen. I’ve learned to interpret balance sheets, analyze cash flow, and make financially sound decisions to guide my business forward. Well, I am still learning. There is always more learning with this, especially being a first generation business owner building it all from the ground up. These skills are immensely transferable, useful in areas like real estate investment and even potential future ventures. I had to push myself to understand how these numbers tell a story and how they can be used to drive growth—a skill I’m developing every day.
How is your entrepreneurial journey going so far? Could you share any memorable stories?
It’s been exciting and, at times, nerve-wracking. I'm constantly exploring new ways to bring in clients and connect with referral partners. Recently, after publishing my book, a friend who used to write for Oprah Daily was invited to interview a celebrity. I realized I could get my signed book to that celebrity, so I created a gift bag with a personalized copy and made sure it was delivered. It was a reminder that opportunities can sometimes arrive unexpectedly if we stay open to them.
Have you ever faced self-doubt? If so, how did you overcome it?
I definitely have. Entrepreneurship brings plenty of highs and lows, and having a support network has been essential in those moments. For a year, I worked with a life and career coach and joined a cohort of like-minded entrepreneurs. We cheered each other on and helped each other tackle challenges, which made a huge difference. That camaraderie and encouragement are invaluable.
How did you build a support system as you transitioned into this new chapter?
My support system starts with my family—my husband, my kids, my sister, and my best friend, who is endlessly encouraging. My best friend, in particular, has been a huge source of positivity, and I don't think she realizes how much her words have propelled me. My career coach and peers in my entrepreneurial community also played key roles. They brought the kind of insight and encouragement that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Starting a new chapter often means stepping out of your comfort zone. How have you done that?
Working with my career coach helped me break out of my comfort zone. Additionally, in September 2024, I went on a wellness retreat with my daughter, which was a first for me. The theme of the retreat was "Worthy," and it poured into my confidence, reminding me that the potential within me is worth sharing with others.
What are five things you wish someone had told you before you started your entrepreneurial journey?
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Financial Literacy Matters: Knowing your numbers is essential for informed decision-making.
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Find Entrepreneurial Community: Having others who understand this unique journey is priceless.
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Think About Your Exit Strategy Early: Building a business means creating an asset that can grow, evolve, or even be divested one day.
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Establish Business Credit: It’s separate from personal credit, and building it intentionally gives you financial flexibility.
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Be Steady Through Ups and Downs: Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster; staying calm through the highs and lows is key to longevity.
If you could inspire a movement to help the most people, what would it be?
I’d start a “Pay It Forward” movement, especially for other entrepreneurs. As a Black woman in business, I often encounter people who hold their insights close, which can make it hard to grow. We need more mentors who freely share knowledge, uplift others and remove barriers rather than putting them up.
We have readers from all walks of life. Is there someone you’d love to have a private breakfast or lunch with?
Taraji P. Henson. People sometimes tell me I remind them of her, and I think it’s because of her authenticity and drive. She’s someone who’s carved out her own path with grit and grace, and I’d love the chance to learn from her journey.
How can our readers stay connected with you and your work?
Readers can follow me on my website and social media platforms to stay updated on my latest projects and initiatives. I’d love to connect!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-farmer-apr-and-award-winning-author-89188828/
https://www.avantsolutions.org/
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
