As online business owners, we are all searching for the freedom and flexibility this kind of work affords. But some of us choose this option of a ‘portable business’ not just because we want to, but because we have to. Today’s guest, Rae Walaska, is a military wife and stay-at-home mom who developed an incredibly unique niche that leverages her love of event planning – and allows her to work from just about anywhere her husband might be deployed.

 

Rae is the owner of Murder n’ Mayhem, a company offering murder mystery parties and kids’ adventure hunts. It began in Port Orchard, Washington, where Rae worked in partnership with a local restaurant to host monthly murder mystery dinners. The business then grew to include home parties, corporate events, and even a Murder Mystery Weekend Festival on the waterfront. With each move, Rae builds a local network, and now the company hosts events all over the country, including a mystery scavenger hunt inside Las Vegas’ Excalibur Hotel.

 

Rae is also the co-founder of She Sells Studios, a joint venture that seeks to build a community of female entrepreneurs. She Sells is on a mission to empower and inspire, providing resources that allow other women to benefit from the lessons Rae and her partner, Jenny, have learned as solopreneurs. Today she empowers us, sharing how she developed such a unique business model, how she builds a network in each new city, and how she leverages goal-setting to facilitate growth.  

 

Key Takeaways

What inspired Rae to choose such a unique niche business

• Experience working hospitality in college
• Event planning was something she enjoyed
• Provided the flexibility and portability she needed as military wife/mother

 

How Rae partners with vendors

• Pitch in person to restaurants, bed and breakfasts, etc.
• Explain benefits (exposure, new customers)
• Build package that will cover fees for both
• Partner to market the event

 

How Rae’s business grew organically

• Attendees asked her to host personal events (i.e.: anniversary party)
• Businesses hired for team-building workshops

 

The greatest challenge of setting up shop again after a move

• Building a new network

 

Why Rae began a new venture with She Sells Studios

• Craved the opportunity to collaborate
• Desire to leave a legacy and give back

 

The aim of She Sells Studios

• Empower entrepreneurs
• Provide resources/referrals (e.g.: tips, information, services)

 

The obstacles Rae has faced as a military spouse and solopreneur

• Difficulty building a tribe
• Juggling the roles of mother and business owner

 

Connect with Rae Walaska

Murder n’ Mayhem

Email [email protected]

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

She Sells Studios

She Sells Blog

She Sells Facebook Group