Meet Heather Simpson of She Leads Me & Her Connection Hub

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Simpson. 

Hi Heather, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As I watched my car get repossessed out of the parking lot of my apartment, I felt helpless. I recently had to move myself and my children out of our family home as the bank was close to taking that too. I was in the middle of a divorce, on food stamps, and depressed. 

As I walked back into my new place with tears streaming down my face, I realized how much I was acting like a victim instead of taking responsibility. Looking into the eyes of my 3- and 7-year-old, I knew I had to take action… different action that what led me here. That’s where it all began for me. I made a commitment that I would not allow myself to be in another situation where anyone could take anything from me again, where my kids could count on me, where we could live a life that we not only survived in… but THRIVED in. 

I got to work. On myself, my mindset, and my personal growth. As I learned about the value and importance of taking accountability and trying my best every single day, opportunities unfolded before me. 

I opened myself up for opportunities in my career, that helped get me to a sustainable income. I was then able to go to the bank and ask them to reconsider the foreclosure on my house. I moved my family back into our home, paid back a year and half of no payments, and reclaimed my life. I helped open a phenomenal startup company and successfully ran it as a CEO at the age of 30. 

I was able to do all of these things, that led me to where I am today because I was able to face the thing that most people don’t want to… myself, my ego, and my weaknesses. Getting brutally honest with myself changed my life. 

I changed the trajectory of my life, even when others’ actions impacted my life. This entire season of growth set me up to take a bigger leap and start my own company. After 3 years as a CEO, I launched my business She Leads Me, where I support women who are taking charge of their own lives and building a life, career, and business that they love and can thrive in as well. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The challenges have not stopped, despite my overcoming. While I have better skill to walk through adversity now, the path has been met with many obstacles that attempt to pop up and get in the way. 

Distractions are the dream killer and many come disguised in unassuming costumes. 

Besides the pandemic, the biggest struggle that I have had to overcome recently is betrayal. 

I am someone that sees the good in everyone and in this case, I was so focused on seeing the good, I ignored the red flags. Have you ever heard the saying, “People show you who they are?” Me too… yet I didn’t fully grasp the depth to that saying until I had a close friend steal my content and sell it as her own. Rebranded to her brand, with her name on. Literally verbatim. Ripped off and duplicated. 

Looking back, I can see the signs trying to warn me. This was a painful lesson for me to learn. Of course, I tried to help her make it right (Mrs. Fixit over here), but true to character she still continued to not only duplicate my work but change her entire business model to match mine, with my content. 

What a painful, bumpy road it has been. Actually, to heck with bumpy, it has been like trying to drive over a road that has experienced a massive earthquake. Time to put it in 4-wheel drive and power through it. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am very proud of what She Leads Me offers women all over the world. I am well known for being the business strategist behind some of the most brilliant female brands. Business planning and development are my wheelhouse and biggest strength. I help business owners get unstuck and in tune with their unique brilliance. Strategizing is my superpower. 

Our company has taken the business planning and strategy building and partnered it with building community. We have found over the years that not only do women need access to building a sustainable business but having a community of others around her is also needed for the maximum potential of growth and success. 

Over the years we have brought together groups of women, we have structured masterclasses with group components and we have rewritten the rules for traditional networking events. 

We most recently opened Her Connection Hub, a coworking space for women, in our area to further this mission of bringing women together. We are proud at the strong start it has had an impact that it is giving the community. 

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
That you already have what it takes, just keep reminding yourself of that. 

Contact Info:

• Email: heather@sheleadsme.com
• Website: www.SheLeadsMe.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/she.leads.me
• Facebook: facebook.com/sheleadsme
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUZGzMdQH4Ov1rn6CkGE5Jg
• Other: www.HerConnectionHub.com

Image Credits
Kelsey Kurtis Photography