I was financially dependent on my ex-husband. Post-divorce, I taught myself about money and built a 6-figure business.

Beth Keeton.

Aggie Brooks Photographer

• Beth Keeton, the founder of Elephant House PR, was married and divorced by age 24.
• After leaning on her ex-husband, she taught herself financial literacy and started her own business.
• She now mentors women, enjoys financial independence, and is in a happy and supportive marriage.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Beth Keeton, a 34-year-old publicist in Fort Worth, Texas. It's been edited for length and clarity.

After the crumbling of my marriage, a divorce, and landing back on my feet, I started my own business.

I'm now the founder and CEO of Elephant House PR, a public relations firm specializing in fresh produce, and I take home six figures each year.

I met my ex-husband when I was 18

My ex was a man seven years my senior with a career trajectory as driven as my own.

Moving from my parents' house directly into our shared home, I bypassed the stage of living independently, unwittingly setting the stage for a deeply codependent relationship. Our financial situation further compounded this dynamic; his significantly higher income shielded me from financial hardships and made it so I never needed a formal budget.

We got married immediately following my college graduation. As I started my career in public relations and later as a communications director, I fell in love with my work and considered returning to school to further my education.

Our marriage began to unravel unexpectedly

As I got deeper into my career, my ex-husband told me I had changed from the woman he married and that I was "just too much." I grappled with a profound sense of loss and confusion, questioning my identity and how I might have inadvertently become a lesser version of myself to fit the mold of his wife.

I realized he had expected me to prioritize domestic responsibilities and consider putting my career on hold for family life before I felt ready. I had always been forthcoming before marriage that I loved working and wanted to have a career, even if we had kids down the road.

By June 2013, at age 24 and after almost two years of marriage, I was met with divorce papers and a deep fear of being unlovable as my true self. I had 30 days to move into a new apartment.

Navigating the world alone forced me to confront the harsh reality of my codependency and the loss of my self-worth. A reconnection to my faith and healthy relationships helped me realize that my worth is not tied to another person.

The embarrassment of not knowing basic financial tasks post-divorce was initially overwhelming

I grappled with setting up household utilities and navigating lease agreements without the safety net of my ex-husband's expertise or my parents, who lived out of state.

Eventually, I realized that asking for help didn't make me weak — it made me smart. I enrolled in my church's Financial Peace University course, a program by Dave Ramsey aimed at budgeting and debt elimination.

I also contacted financially savvy people to improve my financial management skills. I was not ashamed to ask "obvious" questions or conduct thorough research to enhance my financial literacy.

I began an MBA program in 2014, which included several rigorous finance and accounting courses. While challenging, they affirmed the value of the steps I had taken to improve my financial knowledge.

I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit

I grappled with imposter syndrome and a sense of unreadiness for many years. I grew quickly in my roles and with companies I believed in, but I was scared to go out on my own. A former client's request for freelance work finally showed me the viability of starting my firm.

When I first started my company in June 2021, I struggled mostly with insecurity around how I would be perceived as an entrepreneur and if my expertise would be valuable away from the protection of my former agency names. While I had immediate business thanks to the relationships I built earlier in my career, I spent the first couple of years convincing myself that I could run a business and not just do the work.

I often wonder how different my choices might've been with even more guidance from strong female figures. I'm dedicated to mentoring teen girls through my church, advising female entrepreneurs, speaking at events, and participating in women's committees within my industry.

A decade post-divorce, I'm now remarried to someone who supports my entrepreneurial ventures

I'm now in a happy, supportive marriage and have more freedom to shape my daily activities based on my goals and priorities. While I'm consistent in the projects and clients I work with, I also have a lot of flexibility.

Achieving financial independence has opened doors to opportunities I would've never had. It's allowed me to travel, reinvest in my personal growth and professional endeavors, and contribute meaningfully to my community. Much like the mentors who guided me through the early stages of my career, I can now nurture others with the same generosity.

Keeton with friends and mentors.

Beth Keeton

I remember having this deep gut feeling that my ex was not going to be the best person for me right before he proposed, and I married him anyway, only to be heartbroken a few years later.

If there's one lesson I've learned, it's that when your gut tells you something feels off, you need to listen. Now, I listen to what my gut tells me, which has protected my business in many ways.

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