The Grit Series with Heather Swick

About The Grit Series

The Grit Series is a series of collaborations focused on small business owners putting in the grit to build something great. Each interview spotlights a business savvy member of The Initiative Mastermind and there’s a ton to learn from each one about running a small business!

WHAT IS THE INITIATIVE MASTERMIND?

The Initiative Mastermind is a community of small business owners who rally around getting better at business together. Daily, we share insight on what works, what doesn’t work, and strategy for adapting and pivoting in the ever-changing business ecosystem. Click to join The Initiative Mastermind.

Watch the live interview

Heather’s Bio + Street Cred

Heather started her freelance writing business five years ago. She was working at a desk job at the time (raise your hand if you can relate!), and after years of wanting to go out on her own, she finally took a chance and went for it.

She started writing for everything from wedding sites and local magazines to big-name websites and financial planning firms. During that time, she also wrote three novels and two children’s books.

She recently switched to working with entrepreneurs to help them create their signature digital products. Creating content tends to be a barrier for so many people, so she loves that she can transform their ideas into the products they’ve been dreaming of.

Quick Q&A with Heather Swick, Small Business Copywriter

In 2 minutes, tell us how you became an entrepreneur.

I’ve been writing professionally for more than 10 years, so writing for a living was always in the back of my mind. I started out working a corporate job, followed by a couple other jobs, and I always felt dissatisfied.

I kept thinking it was the work I was doing or who I was working for, but after awhile, I knew the real problem was me. I wanted to work for myself. I literally woke up one day and decided it was time to go out on my own. Two months later I was able to leave my job.

What do you do and who do you do it for?

I create the content for entrepreneurs’ digital products, like courses, ebooks, freebies and email funnels.

Have you found work that sets your soul on fire?

I LOVE problem solving. So working with other entrepreneurs to overcome obstacles that have held them back is so rewarding for me.

What’s the best business advice you’ve received?

Become the kind of person who achieves what you’re hoping to achieve. Also, super successful people take consistent, messy action. So just do it!

What has been your hardest entrepreneurial lesson learned?

Undercharging and being taken advantage of. I think you have to run into these situations early on to learn where your boundaries are and what kind of people you really want to work with.

Ever gotten any bad business advice?

When I was planning to leave my job to work for myself, people close to me kept saying I should rethink it, because maybe it wouldn’t work out.

Don’t internalize other people’s fears as your own, and remember that you are the one who has to wake up every day and live your life. So if you are in a situation that feels soul-crushing and you have the power to change it, I think it’s worth the risk.

What’s your scariest/wildest/most exhilarating moment in your journey so far?

I recently invested the most money I’ve ever spent on a business coach, and it was scary, wild AND exhilarating! But I think there really is magic in investing in yourself and your business.

When it comes to getting work done, early riser or night owl?

Early riser for sure! I feel my most creative in the early morning hours.

What responsibility do you like the least in running your business?

I am terrible at taxes. That is the very first part of my business I outsourced.

What’s the secret to your success?

I’ve had plenty of failures, regrets and down times in my business, but giving up has never occurred to me.

There’s a lot to be said for trudging on day after day, even if it’s not as exciting as an overnight success story. That’s where true wisdom comes from. And I have loved the challenge!

What advice would you give to entrepreneurs just getting started?

If you have a lot of doubt and resistance and feel like an imposter at some point, that’s a guaranteed part of it. Nothing has gone wrong. Expect to feel some of that along the way.

When those feelings happen (and they do to ALL successful entrepreneurs,) remember why you got started in the first place.

Where can people connect with you?

Instagram: @hmswick

Website: http://www.hmswick.com/

MEET SIMPLY INTEGRATED’S OWNER, FRANCIE HINRICHSEN

Hi and welcome! I’m Francie. I started my business, Simply Integrated, in 2015 and have fallen madly in love with teaching small business owners how to start, grow, and market the successful and profitable business they dream about.

My knowledge and experience comes from earning an MBA and from coaching small business entrepreneurs while managing and marketing their projects.

I focus solely on business strategy and marketing and created this blog to help others run more successful businesses. If you’re interested, you can read more about me on the About page of Simply Integrated’s website.

WE WANT TO DESIGN YOUR COMPANY’S MARKETING STRATEGY

If it turns out we’re a good fit to work together, I’d love to help drive customers to your business and positively impact your bottom line. Get in touch for a free consultation. To get in touch, use this contact form, email us at hello@SimplyIntegratedLLC.com, or call/text us at 309-431-2266.

Check out our list of services below:

Small business consulting
Digital marketing
SEO

The Grit Series with Heather Swick