Selena Conmackie of Austin, Texas on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Selena Conmackie shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Selena, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Recently at a conference, my two besties and I shared a hotel room to save on costs. The event itself had been a bit stressful—some unexpected hiccups and long days—so by day three, the mood was definitely… meh.

We’d been in full-on work mode since we boarded the plane, and by that point, we were done. One of my besties had packed some face masks for us, so we decided to unwind a little. Next thing you know, someone made a ridiculous face, and we just lost it. I’m talking the kind of laugh that hits out of nowhere and won’t stop—the loud, can’t-breathe, tears-streaming kind that makes you worry the neighbors might bang on the wall.

For a few minutes, all the stress disappeared. It was pure, goofy joy.
Us three fifty-somethings needed that reminder that laughter really is the best reset button.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Selena Conmackie, founder of Hauoli-Socially Inspired, a digital marketing and fractional CMO studio where strategy meets heart (and usually a cup of coffee). I help entrepreneurs and small businesses — from Hawai‘i to Virginia — bring their ideas to life online through smarter websites, storytelling, and tech that actually makes their lives easier.

My work blends aloha, strategy, and humor — because marketing should feel like connection, not chaos. I also co-host the 15ish Minute Coffee Chat podcast for small business owners, where we talk about entrepreneurship with a little real-life messiness and a lot of laughter.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I was a young manager in the restaurant industry in Hawai‘i, and we had a big event with our regional team flying in from Florida. Visits like that always put everyone on high alert, and as a newer manager, I was used to the unspoken rule: “Keep your head down and stay out of the way.” I was raised to work hard no matter how tired or overwhelmed I felt, so that’s exactly what I did.

As I was heading back to the office after a long day, the big boss stopped me and said, “Hey — I just wanted you to know you’re doing a great job. Keep your head up; I see it out there.” That moment stopped me in my tracks. For the rest of my career working with him, he continued to stand up for my character and work ethic. His belief in me reminded me that I do matter — and that sometimes, a few simple words of recognition can change how someone sees themselves.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
A defining wound in my life was losing my father to cancer when I was just 17 and he was only 46. The loss was piercing — he meant the world to me. For years, moments would sneak up on me — seeing fathers with their daughters at milestones or catching a simple “dad moment” out in the world — and that grief would hit all over again.

I wouldn’t say I’ve healed from the loss, but I’ve learned to carry it differently. My grief has become a compass for empathy. When I recognize someone who’s struggling or sitting in quiet pain, I try to just be there — to listen, to hold space, to remind them they’re not alone. It’s the best way I’ve learned to honor my dad and to navigate my own wounds without drowning in them.

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’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Growing up in Hawaiʻi, our culture wasn’t always celebrated the way it is today. The Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970s and the resurgence of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language) and cultural practices through the 1980s brought a renewed sense of pride to our islands. It’s a reminder of the strength and resilience of our people — and of how far we’ve come in reclaiming what was once nearly lost.

For me, protecting our culture means sharing it openly — with my child, my friends, and anyone willing to learn. Even though I no longer live in Hawaiʻi, I make it a priority to keep learning about our history and traditions, and to honor them wherever I am. Preserving our language, values, and sense of aloha isn’t just about remembering where we come from — it’s about ensuring it thrives for generations to come.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I made them feel seen and valued — that I brought light, laughter, and a little bit of calm even when things were chaotic. That I shared aloha wherever I went, whether through my work, my friendships, or my storytelling.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we

Highlighter Series
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than