August 9th, 2024
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and entrepreneurship, Heather Cole’s journey stands out as a beacon of resilience, innovation, and inspiration. What began two decades ago with just a tent, ramen noodles, and a fervent desire for equality has transformed into a thriving tech firm that continues to break barriers and inspire others. In this exclusive interview, Heather shares her remarkable story of navigating the challenges of a male-dominated industry, the pivotal moments that shaped her path, and the values that have driven her success. From overcoming self-doubt to embracing emotional intelligence in business, Heather's experiences offer valuable insights into leadership, mentorship, and maintaining harmony in life and work. Join us as we delve into the key decisions and philosophies that have defined Heather’s 20-year journey, and discover how she continues to make a significant impact in the tech world and beyond.
1. What inspired you to venture into the tech industry 20 years ago, and how did you navigate the challenges of being a woman in a predominantly male field?
I always knew I would be an entrepreneur someday because I didn't like living by other people's terms, especially as a woman in technology. I found that I was often considered incapable and not paid the same rate as my male counterparts. I was seeking equality as a woman in tech and struggled to find it. You know there are always signs showing the direction we should be going, but we don’t always see them. Then if we don’t act, the Universe has a funny way of kicking us in the ass, often forcing us to seek another path. For me, my employer made promises of equity but after 3 years I insisted our agreement be put in writing. Let’s just say they wanted to change the terms. It was the final straw, I decided it was time to strike out on my own.
I did a self-assessment and realized if I failed epically all I needed to survive was ramen noodles, dog food for Big Hank, and a tent. I remember thinking, “I got this!” So, I started Lodestar Solutions. The beginning was challenging—I candidly didn't know what I was doing and was figuring it out as I went. Fortunately, the great relationships I'd built allowed me to secure clients quickly. I gave myself one year to try it, minimizing my risk. If it didn't work out, I'd simply get a job. This approach allowed me to put things in perspective and shoot for my dreams. In the end, it has allowed me to live life on my terms.
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” ~Henry David Thoreau
2. What role has mentorship played in your journey, both as a mentee and a mentor, and how has it shaped your leadership style?
Having a mentor dramatically changed how I did business, but initially, I didn't seek one out. I believed I could learn everything myself and viewed getting a mentor or coach as a sign of weakness. As a woman in technology, I felt I had to prove I was as smart as my male counterparts.
This led to exhaustion, depression, and feeling overwhelmed. Then, a friend invited me to a Tony Robbins conference. I wasn’t into the happy, clappy stuff and didn’t like hugging strangers, but after seeing Oprah attend a Tony Robbins event, I decided to give it a try. The experience was game-changing. I invested in Tony's programs, including coaching, which I initially thought I didn’t need. But having a coach was transformative.
The most powerful coaching advice I received was to start saying no to things so I could say yes to the important stuff. My productivity soared. I went from being somewhat productive to achieving more in a few months than in the prior years.
Taking these lessons, I started coaching and mentoring my team and clients, bringing back the joy in my work. Watching them achieve their biggest goals, often personal rather than business-related, was incredibly fulfilling. Now, I have multiple coaches and attend masterminds—coaching is a crucial ingredient in my success. I believe in coaching so much I got certified as a High-Performance Coach and started an executive coaching firm to complement Lodestar Solutions.
3. In what ways has your perspective as a woman influenced your approach to product development and customer engagement?
I am not sure if it was a result of being female or if I am just wired that way, but I believe leading with my heart has given me a unique perspective that influenced what and how we offer our services to clients.
From the outset, I aimed to understand our clients deeply—not just their needs, but also how our interactions and solutions made them feel. I wanted to understand what their fears were, and help them overcome them. I focused on a heartfelt approach rather than just a mind-felt one.
When I first started my company, I resisted this perspective. I thought I had to play the man's game in a man's world. But over time, I realized that embracing my own approach was more effective. I began to consider how our presentations and engagements made our clients feel, aiming to bring energy, excitement, and hope. I wanted to ensure they had successful projects and felt empowered to advance in their careers.
This shift to an emotional and softer side of planning and analytics was a turning point. It felt like I was doing what I was meant to do, and it significantly enhanced our client relationships. I firmly believe that there is a place in technology to lean into emotional intelligence and combine it with technical expertise. Then add improved communication and soft skills like influence and persuasion and watch the magic happen. This has not only benefited our clients but has also helped us create more meaningful and impactful solutions.
4. In moments of doubt or failure, what kept you motivated and how did you turn setbacks into opportunities for growth?
Self-doubt and imposter syndrome were constant companions, and they still are. However, I realized that the little voice in your head that questions your capabilities only appears when you’re challenging yourself and growing. It doesn’t show up when you’re binge-watching Netflix.
Seeing this voice as a superpower gave me confidence. I learned that to challenge yourself and add more value, you must be willing to try things that might not work. U-turns and roundabouts in life are okay as long as we learn from those experiences. They help us grow and achieve our goals.
5. If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice at the start of your entrepreneurial journey, what would it be and why?
I would tell my younger self to ask more questions and seek help from coaches and mentors. It took me a long time to realize I didn’t have to do it all alone. It took me even longer to realize asking for help or admitting I didn’t know was not a sign of weakness. Someone once told me I was being selfish for not asking for help because I was depriving others of the joy of helping.
When framed this way, I had an epiphany. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together. Since then, I’ve encouraged my team to ask lots of questions. Questions are empowering and essential for growth. If I had embraced this mindset earlier, I would have reached my current success much faster.
6. How do you maintain a work-life balance, and what strategies have you found effective in avoiding burnout?
I don’t believe in work-life balance because perfect balance is impossible. Instead, I believe in life-work harmony, which gives you the grace to prioritize work or home life as needed.
One effective strategy is to hire a kick-ass team. Surrounding yourself with the right people who communicate well makes everything smoother. Another strategy is spending time in nature. Hiking, sitting on a mountaintop, or relaxing by a lake helps put things into perspective and recharges my energy. Taking time away from work to engage in relaxing activities is crucial for maintaining harmony and avoiding burnout.
7. Can you share a pivotal moment or decision that significantly impacted the success of your business?
A pivotal moment was when I stopped playing by other people's rules. Initially, I tried to emulate my competitors, but those rules weren't written for me as a woman in tech 20 years ago. When I decided to do things differently and focus on adding value and building connections rather than just making money, everything changed.
I started asking, "How do we solve problems people don't even know they're having?" This often involved improving communication, influence, team alignment, and change management. Every meeting centered around the question: "What value does this add to our clients?" and “Who needs to know what we learned?” Shifting our focus to adding value and sharing it freely was transformative. The more value we added, the more the money flowed. This approach brought immense satisfaction and energy, fueling my passion for 20 years. It has also helped me develop amazing friendships and partnerships with people all around the world.
We love it when we create knowledge-sharing events like our book clubs, webinars, and partner roundtables, and people who would normally be considered our competitors join and even invite their clients.
8. Looking back, what are you most proud of achieving in your 20 years of business? And what are your future goals?
I am most proud of the people we’ve inspired and helped along the way. Our team members, past and present, have been thriving not just in their careers but in their lives! Seeing them succeed is incredibly fulfilling. It’s not uncommon to run into a past team member at a conference and they tell me how they have applied what they learned from their time at Lodestar Solutions. Lodestar Solutions is not just a workplace but a stepping stone in their journey toward living their dreams.
As for my future goals, I’m excited about the transition we’re making. After 20 years, I reflected on my legacy and decided to evolve. Lodestar Solutions is now focusing on complimenting what we do with even more focus on soft skills, executive coaching, and strategic leadership. We’re helping our clients become better strategic thinkers, aligning their long-term goals with short-term profits. Over the next few months and years, we’ll be doubling down on empowering finance and technology professionals to achieve their goals faster and more effectively. “The best is YET to come!”
“You never know in life who will step into your world and change everything! We must be open to new people and new experiences! Be careful who you sit next to, they just may change your life!” – Heather Cole
9. Any final words?
I could not have done this without all the amazing team members, clients, friends, and family that believed in me. Their wisdom, tough love, and support have meant the world to me. A huge shout-out to the Lodestar Team! You guys ROCK!
