“My goal is to help my clients show up online with confidence, transform their customers into cheerleaders, and take their business to the next level,” said Faulkner Alumna Madelyn Furlong. Furlong is self-employed, currently working as a marketing strategist and website designer in Wetumpka, Alabama. Through her company, Madelyn Victoria Co., she helps small businesses create ShowIt websites and engaging social media content so they can turn their leads into sales. Furlong graduated from Faulkner in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
During her time at Faulkner, she participated in the Great Books Honors College, graduated Summa Cum Laude, and received the President’s Award. She also completed her internship with Faulkner’s Marketing Department. Furlong highlighted how Faulkner benefited her in embracing discomfort. She said, “I was constantly encouraged to step outside of my comfort zone, and in doing so, I realized that growth comes from pushing past stagnation and complacency. This mindset has especially served me well because I have to do things outside of my comfort zone all the time for work now!”
Furlong continued to praise Faulkner and the Great Books Program. She noted how her professors encouraged her to not shy away from the hard questions when it came to faith. She continued, “They instilled in me the importance of lifelong learning—not just in academics, but in faith and personal development as well. They gave me the space and tools to explore my interests, not only in my field of study, but also in guiding my future career.”
Post-graduation, Furlong worked part-time jobs at Sweet Home Books, an independent bookstore in Wetumpka, and as the administrative assistant for Faulkner’s president, Mitch Henry. However, Furlong’s dream since high school was to own a business, and she was still determined to start her corporate career right after graduating from college. While working these two jobs, Furlong decided to continue to test out her social media management “side-hustle.” Though very different in nature, both jobs were instrumental in her personal and professional growth. Eventually, her side-hustle turned into a full-time entrepreneurship.
While she works more than the traditional eight-to-five job, Furlong loves meeting new people and working with clients to help them bring their business goals to life. Furlong said, “Not only do I love the creative side of my job—the design, strategy, and client projects—but I’ve found that I really enjoy the business side as well.” When she has some downtime (which can sometimes be hard to come by as an entrepreneur!), she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with family.
Madelyn leaves readers with this encouragement on embracing the discomfort: “Whether it’s public speaking or interacting with business leads or learning how to balance work with my personal life—or even just starting my business in the first place—discomfort is such a great opportunity to lean on God and develop resilience.”