Women Writing Their Own Story-with Chelsea Austin

How often do you meet a girl with 5 names that has 2 dads?

I was fascinated when I met Chelsea-and her unique story of resilience, perseverance and hope.

From real estate burnout to a podcast, an upcoming book, a coaching certification and a not for profit this powerwoman is here to shed light, joy, acceptance and positivity for all. 

Read on to find out her story and how she came to writing a book without being a professional writer. EVERYTHING is possible if you're willing to be present for it!

-Chelsea hi! Please tell us a few things about your company and how it came to be.

I looked at my move to creative endeavors as an opportunity for me to be fully myself in my work and all aspects of my life.

I was working in real estate and after four and a half years of panic attacks, burnout, and overwhelm, I knew I had to make a change. I started tapping into what I enjoy most.

I have created a career out of sharing my experiences as the daughter of two gay men and a young woman navigating the world. My podcast, Worthiness Warriors, blog, The Girl With Five Names, course for high-achieving creatives on self-validation, and my first book to launch in April of 2022, Inexplicably Me: A Story of Labels, Worthiness, And Refusing To Be Boxed In all work in service of my wish to bring peace, self-love, self-acceptance, and joy to as many individuals as possible.

 

-Did you always know you wanted to be a founder, or did you start with a job? When did you hear the calling?

I had no idea that I was creating a business when I started my manuscript three years ago.

I thought I was just finally writing the book I had always thought about writing and giving myself a creative outlet. Then breadcrumb by breadcrumb I built something almost without realizing it. Then once I realized what I was creating, I started to get methodical about how I did things and why I did them.

When I left college with my theater and dance degree, I never thought I would end up in the family business of real estate. There were a lot of surprises in store over those next few years, but quickly after I started working in the family business, while I loved working with my family, I realized how much it wasn’t for me.

It led me to where I am today, allowed me the capital to go out on my own, and meet my husband, all for which I am so grateful. But in going out on my own, it was most important that I restore myself and find what Chelsea wanted to do and not what Chelsea “should” do.

I had been used to doing what others dreamed for me for so long it took a lot of soul searching.

But I just kept doing the next right thing for me, and the things that felt good in my heart and my gut. I kept checking in with myself and taking care of myself because I never wanted to put myself aside again as I had in my former career.

 

-Take us a bit behind the scenes-How did you decide on what products to launch with?

I asked for help.

There is no sense in doing something all alone when there are people that are good at the things you are not as good at.  I hired a personal branding coach, I asked experts, other authors, people who have done these types of endeavors before, and then I asked myself what I wanted.

I started small-ish by writing a manuscript that initially I thought was just going to be for me.

Once I realized my book's potential, I continued to hone my writing and begin building my platform by launching a blog. Then I added podcasting, and as I started studying for my coaching certification, I moved towards creating a course. These were all things I did that methodically began to build a platform from which to launch my book.

I also made a promise to myself that I could try anything once and if it didn’t resonate with me, I didn’t have to do it again, so that allowed me a lot of freedom to try.

It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to hang all of your hopes on one launch, if the first one doesn’t go according to plan you can always go back to the drawing board.

We feel like there’s only one way to do anything, but there isn’t there are so very many ways to do all things in life.

 

-How did you decide to write a book? Was it easier or harder than you thought?

Many people had said that I should write a book about my life, but I always pushed the idea aside.

Thoughts like, “What do I know? I’m not a writer. I’ve never done this before. Why is my story so interesting?” were some of the many are limiting beliefs that were all trying to stop me.

The hardest part was starting, but once I started it was like a well spilling over.

It was deeply cathartic and so very fun. I started to find my flow. Writing became a happy place and an escape for me. There was no pressure, especially at the beginning. It didn’t have to be perfect, and I didn’t have any expectations.

It was really easy to write and then the editing process started, which was challenging, labor-intensive, and went on for a long time, but all in all, it was fun, cathartic, and so worth doing.

 

-What is your bigger vision? Your 5-year dream?

My dream is to bring my message as far and wide as possible through my speaking engagements, podcast, workshops, and beyond.

I also hope to write several more books and create a community where people can feel supported and comfortable being their whole selves even when they aren’t sure who they are yet.

I look forward to creating workshops for college-age individuals as well.

I feel like so often we are shepherded through college and then just plopped out on the other side without much guidance for our careers or our personal lives and particularly for high-achievers and creatives, it can be a challenge to find your place in the world without first coming into contact with overwhelming stress, feeling lost, anxiety, and burnout.

As an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, I hope to bring more love and acceptance to all regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

I look forward to growing the non-profit I co-founded, Dance In Color, which works to provide scholarships to young dancers of color for them to pursue their dreams through dance.

My greatest wish, above all, is to help people understand that they are worthy and that anything is possible. After all, if I am here before you with a dad who is my biological dad and a daddy who is my biological uncle, then isn't anything truly possible?

 

-Here at Next Door Goddess, we believe that every woman has the right to bring out her beauty and feel gorgeous. Do you get all sparkled up or is it a special event only?

This is a fascinating question given that I have been working from home so much the last year and a half.

Right now, getting all dolled up is a special occasion-only event.

However, I feel like we shouldn’t always need to dress up or put on makeup to access those feelings of beauty. It should be something fun that we do when we’re drawn to it, not necessarily something we feel we “have” to do to be beautiful. We should always do what makes us feel best though, whatever that is.

And I absolutely love getting dressed up for special events too.

 

-What’s your favorite jewelry piece and how does it make you feel when you have it on?

The only pieces of jewelry I wear every single day are my wedding and engagement rings and they are my favorite pieces for sure.

When I have them on, I am reminded of my incredible husband and our beautiful love story.

When I’m having a hard day, or things aren’t going smoothly, and I look down at my ring I am reminded of the moments in our love story that are my favorite.

 

-Where can we find more about you and the products you create?

You can find everything at www.chelseaaustin.com or on my Instagram @chelseaaustinmdw!

 

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