It is quite possible that when you were thinking about what to do after high school, you had a pretty clear idea of where to go, what to focus on and the route you’d follow for your career path. That was definitely my story. I wanted to be a band director in Ohio forever. 

It is also quite possible that you haven’t actually followed the journey you envisioned when you were 18. (I was never a band director and I left Ohio 5 years after I graduated.)

There are also probably a sizeable amount of people reading this blog that had NO idea what they wanted to be when they grew up and still aren’t quite sure. There were either too many ideas or absolutely no ideas and you didn’t really feel like you had enough life experience to make this big of a decision. 

As your friendly Career Transformation Coach, I’m here to tell you it’s OKAY- no matter which camp you were in at 18, whether you followed through or not, and even if you’re reading this now 10+ years into your professional adult life without a clue about how to navigate your career path. It’s okay and with some support, it is possible for you to feel solid about navigating your professional life. 

But I can tell you it’s okay until the cows come home (there’s that Ohio farm girl coming out) and it still feels really hard to believe. I know. So I thought for the next few weeks we’d feature the stories of some folks on the blog who have had career twists and turns, are doing really cool things now, and hear how they’ve used the lessons learned and pivots made to make their career journey even better. 

This week we’re starting out with Heather Simpson, Business Strategist and Founder of She Leads Me and Her Connection Hub. I have the pleasure of co-working with Heather and other inspiring women at Her Connection Hub in Bellingham, WA. She was gracious enough to kick off this series and I hope you’ll check out her businesses!

Jessica: When you were thinking about becoming a working adult, what was going through your mind?

Heather: I really wanted to do something creative, like working with hair. However, my dad had specific career aspirations for me, particularly in architecture. At that point, I rebelled against it, but financial constraints and limited funding for creative pursuits led me to dental hygiene school in Seattle.

J: How did you feel while processing those conflicting messages from yourself and others?

H: I've always been a bit of a rebel. I had a strong intuitive sense of who I was, and anything trying to steer me off course made me push back. There was a mix of anger, feeling stuck, and a desire to make my parents proud while choosing a career for myself.

J: Take me through the choices you made early on and how you balanced your rebellious side with reality.

H: When I got pregnant, I had to figure out a plan quickly. I worked multiple jobs, stopped pursuing dental hygiene, and eventually got married. Despite the challenges, I maintained a strong work ethic, working different jobs to make ends meet and provide for my family.

J: How did the reality of bringing a baby into the world shape your path?

H: It forced me to be resourceful. I stopped dental hygiene school, worked multiple jobs, and even after my daughter was born, I continued working nights at a gym and weekends at a real estate office. This experience taught me the value of hard work and adaptability.

J: Moving forward, what was your path like after those early choices?

H: I transitioned from front desk work at a real estate office to obtaining my real estate license. However, my passion shifted from selling real estate to supporting realtors in building thriving businesses. I helped start and grow real estate companies, eventually realizing I could offer similar support across various industries.

J: Where are you today, and how did your journey lead you here?

H: After helping real estate teams and companies grow, I started my own venture. Now, I focus on supporting individuals in building their businesses within a community-oriented co-working space called Her Connection Hub in Bellingham, WA. This journey has involved expanding, filming a docuseries pilot, and even writing a book.

J: How did your experience dealing with difficult situations prepare you for your current role?

H:  The key for me has been taking responsibility and seeking solutions. Whether it was rejecting the career my parents wanted for me or navigating the challenges of early motherhood, I learned to focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems.

J: What advice would you give to someone considering a career pivot or change?

H: Don't let fear or societal expectations dictate your choices. If you're not happy where you are, look for solutions. Sometimes, a mindset shift is necessary, and seeking guidance from those who inspire you can be more valuable than advice from those who don't align with your goals.

J: How do you approach guiding your kids in their career paths?

H: I encourage them to seek advice from those whose lives they admire rather than those who may not align with their aspirations. I provide guardrails but believe they must figure out their paths, learning from challenges and seeking solutions. It's about giving them the right tools and trusting them to navigate their own journeys.

J: Reflecting on your experiences, what would you say to those trying to control their career path tightly?

H: Trying to control every aspect of your career may not be productive. Embrace the unexpected, focus on mindset, and recognize that life often presents clues and opportunities that may not align with your initial plan. It's about adapting, learning, and being open to the journey.

“Life often presents clues and opportunities that may not align with your initial plan.” 

As a Career Transformation Coach, I help you search for and make sense of those clues and opportunities so you can make a decision about your next steps and have a supportive partner walking through your implementation of your plan. Learn more on my website or click the button below to fill out a Coaching Inquiry Form and find out more details about working with me.