From US Navy Captain to Professional Photographer, meet Laura Hatcher

What starts as a hobby can totally change your life—and Laura Hatcher is living proof.

In this episode of The Career Flipper, I chat with Laura, a former Navy captain turned full-time professional photographer based in Alexandria, Virginia. Her journey from military structure to creative entrepreneurship is honest, emotional, and so deeply inspiring.

We talk about:

• Transitioning from military to civilian life
• Finding identity outside the uniform
• Imposter syndrome and self-doubt as a creative
• Building a business from a side passion
• How mentorship and community helped her grow
• The emotional side of setting “big” goals
• Navigating cultural identity and belonging in new spaces
• Adapting through the pandemic and learning as she went

If you're in the thick of a transition—or wondering if your side project has legs—Laura's story will meet you where you are, and maybe even give you that little nudge to keep going.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if this one resonates!

Connect with Laura Hatcher:

📸 Website
📷 Instagram
📘 Facebook
🎥 YouTube
💼 LinkedIn

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🪑 And if you want to see my career flip furniture flips in real life, follow me at @sandiegofurnitureflipper

 

Submit your story:

Have a career flip story? Whether you’re in the messy middle or celebrating the other side, I’d love to hear it and maybe even feature you on the show. Submit your story here: thecareerflipper.com.

 

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Book me to speak about career change at your next event, collaborate through sponsorships or affiliates or got another idea? Drop me a note at [e-mail]

 

Bonus: If you’re in customer experience or building your own business, check out my online courses. Before I started flipping my life and furniture, I led CX teams and created training that’s helped over 12,000 students worldwide. Learn more at thecareerflipper.com/courses.

 

🎵 Music Credits

 

Season 1: Intro & outro music by Audionautix.com

Season 2: Original music by yours truly, Jenny Dempsey, recorded in my home studio

 

And hey, remember my favorite question: What’s the best that could happen? 💫