We’re looking forward to introducing you to Lindsey Hanson. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Lindsey, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something that has been bringing me so much joy lately is having my kids home with me for the summer. We’ve been spending our days at the lake—swimming, boating, and enjoying the slower pace together. I love watching them make memories, soaking up the sunshine, and just being present in those little moments. It’s been such a special season for our family.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Lindsey, co-owner of Rustic Oak Designs and founder of The Purposeful Pivot. My husband and I started Rustic Oak Designs back in 2017, creating handcrafted signs that have now found homes all over the country. What started as a simple creative outlet quickly grew into a thriving business that lets us work side-by-side, bring our ideas to life, and create pieces that help people make their spaces feel like home.
Out of that journey came my second passion—The Purposeful Pivot—where I coach women on how to turn their side gigs into full-time businesses. I know firsthand what it’s like to start small, juggle family life, and dream of more, and now I get to walk alongside other women as they build businesses that give them both freedom and fulfillment.
Whether it’s through a handcrafted sign or a one-on-one coaching call, my goal is to inspire others to dream bigger, take action, and create a life they truly love.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
When I think about the relationships that shaped how I see myself, I immediately think of my mom and my sisters. They’ve always had this incredible ability to see the good in every situation and in every person. No matter how tough things got, they looked for the silver lining and reminded me to do the same. That constant optimism shaped me in such a big way — it taught me that there’s always hope, always something to be grateful for, and always a reason to keep moving forward.
Because of them, I’ve learned to approach life with more faith and positivity. When I doubt myself, I hear their voices cheering me on. Their encouragement has become part of how I see myself: someone who can handle challenges, someone who looks for the good first, and someone who can pass that same encouragement on to others.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most? Hands down — worrying about what people think of me. Especially in a small town where it feels like everyone notices what you’re doing and has an opinion about it.
For me, that showed up when I jumped into an MLM years ago. I look back and, yes, some of it makes me cringe — the posts, the selling, all of it. But here’s the truth: that experience was a turning point in my life. Even though it wasn’t for me long-term, it changed the way I thought about work and money. I made more with the MLM than I did as a full-time RN. I earned free trips. And most importantly, it showed me I didn’t have to stay stuck in a 9–5 to build a different kind of life.
So yes, it was uncomfortable. Yes, people probably judged me. But the lessons I learned were worth it. I realized that the fear of what people think is the very thing that keeps us from stepping into the opportunities that can change our lives.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
f you asked my closest friends what really matters to me, they’d tell you without hesitation: my family. Being present with them. Creating memories instead of just collecting paychecks. And building a life that gives us time freedom — not just more stuff.
That’s the heartbeat behind everything I do. Every business decision, every risk, every late night… it’s all rooted in wanting more time, more presence, and more freedom with the people I love most.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
One thing I’ve come to understand deeply — and that most people don’t — is that freedom doesn’t come from a paycheck. For years I believed the 9–5 was the ‘safe’ and ‘smart’ path. But what I learned, especially after stepping into entrepreneurship, is that time freedom, presence, and fulfillment don’t magically happen when you earn more money at a job. They come when you create something of your own, align your work with your values, and stop living for other people’s approval.
Most people think freedom is a number in their bank account. I’ve learned it’s actually a way of living — one choice at a time — to design your days around what matters most without missing moments with your kids.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rusticoakdesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rusticoakdesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rusticoakdesign
Image Credits
Whitnei Abel Photography
myself
