Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Edwards.
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?
When I look back on my journey of becoming a life coach, I realize much of my life was the training ground. My trials gave me the passion I have today to help women become the most authentic version of themselves possible. Helping women let go of the D.I.R.T that is holding them back is so important to helping them reach their full potential. I created D.I.R.T as a way to help my clients work through what is getting in the way of their success; doubts, insecurities, resistance, and triggers.
Most of us have encountered ups and downs in life. Many people have a story to tell that includes rising to the occasion and overcoming adversity. What I see in many of my clients is the act of living in survival mode rather than thriving in a life they love. It’s easy for me to recognize this because I was once there myself. Figuring out what exactly is keeping you stuck can be difficult to navigate alone and at times the obvious thing isn’t necessarily what paralyzes you.
My husband and I encountered the loss of three children through miscarriage and shortly after I was given a double cancer diagnosis. I arrived five years later, cancer free, feeling numb and lost. Therapy wasn’t working, and I was desperate to find more of me again and the ability to experience genuine joy. Finding a life coach helped me reclaim the confidence I once had, gave me practical and actionable ways to move closer to being who I really wanted to be. That journey filled me with the passion to help other women find themselves again by becoming a life coach.
Today I am filled with gratitude to be able to help women get in touch with who God made them to be despite the difficult experiences they encounter. I help them identify their passions, gain the confidence to work toward them, and reclaim joy while they do it. It’s one of the most amazing gifts to be able to live a life you are excited about living.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t been smooth, but I truly believe that is the point. If life was easy it wouldn’t be much fun. You wouldn’t be able to recognize the moments worth celebrating and appreciating. Becoming a life coach was easy in some ways because I love helping people. However, it’s been a challenge to be an entrepreneur and figure out how to run a business alone. One thing no one tells you about running a solopreneur business is how lonely it can be and how frustrating it can be. You don’t have an IT department to call when your computer is down or an accounting team to help with the finances.
You find out really quick what you are good at and what you have zero skills in. It’s been a challenge but it’s also been rewarding.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about H C Edwards Coaching?
H C Edwards Coaching is my coaching practice where I work with clients individually. I am currently working on a course on confidence and a journal with self awareness prompts to build confidence for individuals that want to work independently to gain confidence. My podcast The Crazy Confidence Coach podcast is the main way I connect and serve women around the world who have struggled just like me. The podcast is a free resource for anyone who really wants to become a better version of themselves. In the podcast, I share tools and resources that can help individuals build stronger self-esteem, grow confidence, and identify who they really want to be. Many of the tools I use with my clients are shared on my podcast and I love that this resource is available to anyone with a way to listen to a podcast. My show is published on a weekly basis and available on just about every podcast service. There is something very exhilarating about seeing how many different places around the world have shared challenges and concerns they want to work on.
I am most proud of the change I help people achieve. Many of the clients experience awareness and breakthroughs on issues they have carried around with them for years. The transformation I watch unfold when someone is able to let go of doubts, insecurities, resistance, and triggers they have struggled with is exciting. The light bulb moments are my favorite. The most amazing part of what I do is knowing the work a woman does on herself will impact her life in ways she has never thought of. The trickle-down effect of a person becoming more confident in their own abilities not only changes their view of themselves, but how they show up at work, and most importantly how they show up with their families. It touches every part of their lives. I like to say, I am helping change the world one woman at a time. When a woman is confident and self-assured she can and will move mountains.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a mentor and networking is a vital part of success in any career. What I would love others to know is it can take time and what works for others may not work for you. Your path is unique to you. You may have to try different ways to network and participate in ways you haven’t thought of up front. Don’t be afraid to be different or show up as yourself. That is exactly what draws people to you!
Think through what type of resources you will need to support your business and work backward. If you know you aren’t great at accounting, seek out relationships or ways to get support with accounting. As an entrepreneur it becomes important to have someone to bounce ideas off of because you can’t walk down the hall into someone else’s office. Find ways to network doing activities you love instead of just showing up to networking meetings. This strategy leads to more authentic relationship building and less pressure.
Find other professionals that do similar work and develop a connection as well. Don’t shy away from people who have the same or similar niches to you. For me, I have developed some relationships with coaches and we share office hours. By co-working silently on Zoom, it helps keep us focused and on task. It also helps me feel less alone as a solopreneur. We are able to bounce ideas off one another, share insights on business, and refer clients when someone requires a special type of coach. It’s increased fun I have in my business and it’s made me a more valuable coach all around.
Over the years, I have been involved with my local chamber, 1 Million Cups, networking groups, volunteer programs, started a podcast, and used trade shows to increase business visibility. I continually tweak my strategy as I grow and I encourage you to do the same. Keep looking over what is working, what isn’t working, and what you can do better next time. Lastly, ask others what has worked for them and see if it will work for you too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hcedwardscoaching.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hcedwardscoaching/
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-crazy-confidence-coach-gain-confidence-build-self/id1716204581
