[My] decision

With LeBron’s second (or third, or fourth) decision looming all over ESPN – I’m planning to focus on my own, albeit less controversial, decision. Two years ago today I launched Hardin Heights Communications, LLC with an email, a new laptop, a business registration – and boundless optimism about what was coming.

While I was very excited – what many of you didn’t see was the sheer terror and doubt that existed in the moments leading up to hitting send. Nor did most people know how worried I was about making this decision with 2 daughters in college, almost a year of unemployment behind me, during a truly horrible job market.

Spending 25 years in corporate comms – I thought I was a big corporate girl. I had tons of experience, I’d helped thousands of employees understand hundreds of changes, updates, policies, open enrollment offerings, and so many tiny updates. I always focused on delivering information in a way that was easy to understand and available when the team needed it. I loved the work I did – and still love the work I do; only more, if that’s possible.

My position was eliminated at my last W2 job back in 2023. After applying to so many jobs, spending countless hours customizing my resume, updating my online presence, and crushing, fruitless efforts to get another corporate role – I decided to try it on my own. Getting started was exhilarating. I once again had a purpose and a goal – and like any new opportunity – I started by seeking resources that would help me succeed. I owe gratitude to so many people and organizations who have supported me along this path. Here are just 2 of them!

Thanks to the Urban League of Greater Cleveland – I was able to write a strong business plan, register Hardin Heights Communications with the state of Ohio, and get started on my second act. They offered advice from the people who have walked before me. The plan I left with has evolved over these two years. It's changed pretty dramatically since I started.

Another priceless decision I made was hiring Lucy Davies to be my coach, mentor, and cheerleader in the first weeks of my launch. Without her, I’d have made a myriad of other decisions and my path would have been much harder. Don’t get me wrong – it’s been hard, and I’ve learned A LOT – but without Lucy, it would have been harder and the lessons would have made the path to success longer - much longer.

While it wasn’t easy to get where I am today – two years in – I wish I knew more about setting out on my own sooner. As an entrepreneur, I am sharing my journey with the world – what you might not see is my commitment to telling young people more about what it looks like to take the risk and launch their own thing, because it’s been lifechanging for me and my biggest regret is truly that I didn’t start this sooner.

W2 employment has long been seen as consistent, (in the USA) insurance-providing, stable-paycheck work. You put in the hours and the years, you get promotions and raises. When you show up and do good work, you are rewarded with the next thing. The current job market has proven this belief wrong for thousands of professionals like me – tons of solid experience, corporate and industry knowledge, eager to grow and learn – but somehow no longer needed.

This week I plan to share a few more articles about what I’ve learned so far. Follow along if you have a few moments. I am at the beach this week, doing a bit of work, but also taking time for me – to recharge, spend time with family, and work on the back half of the year.

If there is something you’d like to know about consulting, comms, corporate, entrepreneurship, or anything else – let me know. I’m happy to help.