We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emily Bissen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Emily, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
The moment I decided to start Blue Heron Business Partners was a bit like standing at the edge of a high dive, looking down into the unknown. I had just left the corporate world behind and was in the middle of packing up our lives in Wisconsin for a big move to Washington. My husband, seeing the changes, asked if he could apply for a job in Seattle. I said, ‘Go for it!’ With our oldest about to start kindergarten, it felt like the stars were aligning for something new.
Settling into our new life, I made a promise to myself: work only while the girls are at school. That meant I was there to drop them off and pick them up every day. It was my way of showing—not just my daughters, but myself too—that running a business and being there for family moments weren’t mutually exclusive.
What I really want, what I hope to leave behind, is this idea that success isn’t just about the bottom line. It’s about creating a life where you can be there for your kids’ school plays and soccer games, take care of yourself, and actually enjoy the ride. I want to show that it’s totally possible to do business differently—without burning out or missing out on what’s truly important.
So, when people think of me, I don’t want them to say, She found joy in the journey, and followed her intuition to build something she was proud of. I want them to say, ‘Wow, she really knew how to live.’ That’s the legacy I’m aiming for. A reminder that you can build something successful and profitable, and still have time to live a life full of the moments that really matter.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Launching Blue Heron was like finding my true north after realizing my values were playing a game of tug-of-war with the corporate world I was part of. The journey there? Well, it’s a story worth telling. Originally, I applied for an admin position at this company that had a vision I was head over heels for: building an unstoppable community of entrepreneurs. But after they ran my DISC profile, they came back with a plot twist, ‘We love your energy, but you can’t be an admin. We’d love to create a business development role just for you.’ And just like that, my 3.5-year adventure began, crisscrossing the country, stitching together a network so vibrant, it had folks calling me up asking, ‘How do you make it look so easy?’
That was my lightbulb moment. It dawned on me that I had a special sauce, a unique blend of skills and passion that was all my own.
When I set the foundations for Blue Heron, I thought I’d stick to the business development beat. But it wasn’t long before I realized that my true genius wasn’t in the hustle but in the connections. It was about spotting the perfect opportunities for collaboration, and tailoring strategies that resonated with each client’s individual brilliance. I’ve always had a teacher’s heart, and there’s this indescribable joy I find in guiding my clients to see a world of possibilities they hadn’t imagined before. It’s about showing them that success and a fulfilling personal life aren’t mutually exclusive.
Growing up, being tagged as ‘the chatty one’ was more of a blemish than a badge of honor. But those early stings turned into my greatest strength when I discovered that my ability to strike up a conversation with anyone and genuinely support them was a rare gift.
The name ‘Blue Heron’ came to me in a moment of clarity during meditation. In North American Native tradition, the blue heron stands for self-determination and the innate wisdom to create your own circumstances. It was a perfect match for what I envisioned my brand to embody.
My clients often start with me feeling like they have to be all things to all people and trying to do it all, losing sight of the work that sets their hearts on fire. Together, we co-create a plan that lets them focus on what they love, delegating the rest, and building a legacy that’s true to their passions. It’s about helping them find their voice again, boosting their confidence, and reigniting their passion for their craft. Witnessing their transformation and seeing how it enriches their lives and businesses is the real reward.
Blue Heron is more than just a business; it’s a belief system. It’s about co-creating success that doesn’t just look good on paper but feels good in the heart. It’s about making sure that when you look back, you see a legacy of passion, purpose, and balance. That’s the journey we’re on, and it’s one I’m grateful to be on.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t your typical startup story. It began amidst a whirlwind of change; on the very day I bid farewell to my corporate life, my husband landed a job that would take us across the country. There I was, about to embark on building my dream from scratch, in a completely new state.
The silver lining? I’ve always had a bit of a superpower for making friends and forging connections. So, even as I left behind the community I had spent a lifetime building, I found myself supported by the willingness of friends to bridge connections to their Seattle network.
That first year of Blue Heron was a masterclass in juggling. With my youngest in daycare just 10 hours a week, my workday was a race against the clock, squeezed into nap times and the precious hours she was at school. Yet, despite these constraints, I managed to turn a profit and attract new clients in my new home state.
Year two was a testament to starting anew. I made the bold decision to part ways with a client that provided steady income but didn’t align with my vision for the future. It was a reset to zero — no clients, no revenue. However, it was this space, once filled with misalignment, that I could now curate with clients who shared my passion for strategy and partnership development.
There were countless moments that could have led me to close shop and return to the corporate world. Yet, it was my unwavering belief in my purpose and what I was meant to do that kept me anchored. Despite facing limited time and support, I was determined to prove that I could build something meaningful.
This journey has been about more than just building a business; it’s been a lesson in resilience, in trusting the process, and in the power of connections. It’s a narrative I’m proud to share, not because it’s a story of unbridled success, but because it’s a testament to the strength we find in ourselves when we chase what we truly believe in.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Reflecting on the moments that have profoundly influenced my approach to entrepreneurship, my 30th birthday stands out, not for the celebrations, but for a gift from my then-boss that would pivot my entire worldview. The gift was a book, but not just any book. It was ‘Exponential Living’ by Sheri Riley, a title that promised and delivered an awakening. Riley’s message was clear and powerful: we are so much more than our job titles. She challenged the notion of dedicating all our time and energy to just a fraction of our true selves, sparking a journey of self-discovery for me. This wasn’t your run-of-the-mill business advice; it was a call to shift mindsets, to recognize and embrace the multifaceted beings that we are, beyond our professional roles. It made me confront a truth I had ignored — my self-worth had become too intertwined with my career success, and I was determined to rewrite that story.
Then came ‘The Big Leap’ by Gay Hendricks, another transformative read that reshaped my professional trajectory. Hendricks introduced me to the concept of operating in our ‘Zone of Genius’ — the idea that aligning with our natural talents could not only enhance our quality of life but also propel us to greater heights in our careers. This book was the nudge I needed to pursue the path I’m on today, helping others discover and lean into their unique genius.
Before these books, I was skeptical that anyone could genuinely love their work. To me, jobs were merely a means to an end, not a source of passion or fulfillment. However, as I’ve embraced my own genius, I’ve magnetized individuals who are on similar journeys, seeking to align their careers with their passions but needing support to navigate the challenges.
These readings taught me that taking ‘the big leap’ isn’t just about professional risk-taking; it’s about daring to live a life that’s true to who we are and what we love. Yes, reverting to what’s comfortable is the easier path, but embracing our full potential and finding our purpose requires courage and conviction. These books have been more than just guides; they’ve been catalysts for a fundamental transformation in how I view work, life, and the intersection of the two.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blueheronbusinesspartners.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilybissen/
Image Credits
Kate Fore