From Resilience to Entrepreneur Riches!

September 22, 2025•3 min read

Elaine Mingus shares her incredible entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing resilience and reinvention. Despite raising seven children and facing financial hardship, she pivoted during the pandemic by founding a six-figure vintage furniture business in Austin, Texas—starting with flipping items she found on the curb. This pivot came after years in the background as a writer, speaker, and blogger, and ultimately reignited her entrepreneurial momentum. She attributes much of her success to timing, faith, and understanding the intersection of real estate and home furnishing trends.

In addition to her business acumen, Elaine is also a published author of multiple books, including homeschool materials, devotionals, and a novel she wrote while pregnant with her sixth child. She speaks passionately about the power of storytelling, especially in marketing, and offers consulting services on book writing, launches, and messaging. She highlights the strategic importance of building a strong book launch team—composed of aligned influencers who can help amplify your message with structured 30-day plans and plug-and-play content.

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Elaine also delves into her unique branding strategy—leveraging her title as United States of America’s Mrs. Texas and using pageantry as a platform to tell her story of overcoming addiction, abuse, and poverty. She emphasizes that putting on a crown and sash gets attention, opening doors for advocacy and storytelling on major stages and over 80 podcast appearances. She encourages entrepreneurs to embrace their unique journey and lean into it unapologetically to build influence and impact.

Throughout the interview, Elaine delivers powerful marketing and mindset advice: clean your camera lens, know your personality, embrace trends early (like AI and short-form video), and take messy action. She stresses the importance of having coaches—even for top-tier influencers—and urges entrepreneurs to pivot when necessary while remaining aligned with their core purpose. Her advice is both practical and motivational: your strategy can change, but your purpose remains constant—and your authenticity is your most valuable asset.

Takeaways

• I built a six figure vintage furniture business during the pandemic.

• Your purpose never changes, but your strategy does.

• People don't buy from the best; they buy from those they connect with.

• Every season in business is useful and good.

• Put on a crown and a sash, and people pay attention.

• Don't worry about the haters; they aren't your people.

• The greatest story you could ever tell is your own.

• Get out there and start making content.

• Always prepare for slumps in business.

• Find your sweet spot and operate in that.

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