Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Walker.
Hi Mary , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I spent over a decade as a stay-at-home mom, fully focused on raising my children. That chapter of my life shifted unexpectedly when I went through a divorce and realized I needed to create a stable future for my family. With a one-month-old at home, I made the decision to go back to school—not just to get by, but to truly build something meaningful.
Over the next 12 years, I earned two master’s degrees—one in psychology and one in digital marketing. What I didn’t fully realize at the time was how perfectly those two disciplines would come together. Marketing, at its core, is about understanding people—their motivations, behaviors, and decision-making—and my background in psychology gave me a unique lens to approach it differently.
I actually found my way into SEO by accident. I was between jobs when I was offered a position as an SEO specialist, and I decided to take a chance on it. That decision changed everything. I spent the next few years immersed in the world of organic search, learning the technical side of SEO while also applying my understanding of human behavior to strategy and messaging.
Eventually, I joined Simplified SEO Consulting as an SEO specialist, where I continued to grow my skills and deepen my experience. Not long after, the opportunity to purchase the company came up unexpectedly. My husband and I didn’t hesitate—we made an offer, and within two months, we became the new owners.
That moment marked a major shift—from employee to business owner—but it also felt like a natural evolution of everything I had been building toward. Since then, we’ve expanded the business, refined our approach, and stayed grounded in what matters most: helping therapists and service-based professionals connect with the people who need them.
Today, I balance running a growing business with being a mom of five, a wife, and everything else life brings. It hasn’t been a traditional path, but it’s been an incredibly rewarding one—and proof that sometimes the most unexpected turns lead you exactly where you’re meant to go.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced came in 2017, when I underwent brain surgery that led to a severe infection and left me paralyzed on the right side of my body. Overnight, everything changed. I had to relearn how to walk, how to dress myself, how to feed myself—things most of us never think twice about. I was right-handed at the time, and because my right arm never fully recovered, I had to teach myself to live left-handed.
What made that period even more difficult was that I was in the middle of completing my first master’s degree in psychology. I spent eight weeks in the hospital in rehabilitation, followed by months of physical therapy after returning home. There were moments when giving up felt like the easier option, but I made the decision to keep going.
That experience forced me to adapt in ways I never imagined. Today, I write left-handed, use a left-handed mouse, and approach everyday tasks differently—but I don’t see myself as limited. If anything, that time taught me resilience, discipline, and the ability to push forward even when circumstances feel overwhelming.
More recently, I’ve also been navigating ongoing chronic health issues that impact my day-to-day life. It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned how to adjust, to create new routines, and to keep moving forward. Those challenges have shaped how I approach both life and business—with flexibility, persistence, and a deep understanding that growth doesn’t come from perfect conditions, but from learning how to move through imperfect ones.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Simplified SEO Consulting, we offer a full range of SEO and digital marketing services, including on-page optimization, technical SEO audits, website design, copywriting, and local SEO. At its core, SEO—Search Engine Optimization—is about helping search engines like Google understand what your business does, who you serve, and why you’re the right choice. From there, we build strategies and content that connect with the right audience, so our clients can consistently attract ideal customers through organic search.
What truly sets us apart is our team. Every member of our team has a background in mental health—either through formal education or professional experience in the field. That gives us a unique advantage, especially when working with therapists and helping professionals. We don’t just understand marketing—we understand people. That allows us to create messaging and content that genuinely resonates, rather than just ranks.
The company has been in business since 2018, and we’ve continued to grow steadily through a combination of strong results, client relationships, and word-of-mouth referrals. One of the things I’m most proud of is how we’ve built a brand rooted in transparency and trust. Our pricing is fully transparent and available on our website—there are no hidden fees, no surprises, and no pressure. Clients know exactly what to expect before they ever reach out.
We also take a highly flexible approach to our services. Every business is different, and we believe marketing should reflect that. Whether someone needs a full strategy or support in a specific area, we meet them where they are and tailor our work to fit their goals.
Above all, I’m incredibly proud of the team behind Simplified SEO Consulting. Their expertise, dedication, and shared understanding of both marketing and human behavior are what make everything we do possible. It’s that combination that allows us to deliver meaningful, lasting results for the people we serve.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
One thing I wish I had known when I was starting out is how important it is to understand the financial side of running a business. Things like bookkeeping, payroll, and overall financial management were a steep learning curve for me. Looking back, I would have invested more time early on in building that foundation—whether through classes or hands-on learning—because it plays such a critical role in long-term success.
For anyone just starting out, my biggest advice is simple: if you have a vision, fight for it. Building something meaningful takes time, effort, and a willingness to keep going even when it feels overwhelming. There will be challenges—both in business and in life—but those moments are part of the process, not a sign to stop.
Success doesn’t come from things being easy; it comes from consistency, persistence, and the ability to keep moving forward. If you stay committed and continue putting in the work, you will get where you want to go. It may not happen overnight, but it will happen if you don’t give up.
Pricing:
- Strategy Sessions $500
- 8 week Consulting Package $2000
- Local SEO $600 per Month
- Foundational SEO/AEO Starts at $1050 per Month
- Foundational SEO/AEO with Brand Amplification Starts at $1450 per Month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://simplifiedseoconsulting.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplifiedseo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplifiedSEOConsulting
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/81937412/admin/dashboard/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-walker-285256232/
