We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Heather Leih a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Heather, 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?

When I think of how to answer this question, I think of who I want this message to be most meaningful for. People like me. When I was growing up out of poverty and eventually lived in a group children’s home with 70 other kids, there was no one with my story. No one I found I could look up to who was both a business person and creative, with ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences). No one that could help speak the right words for me to figure out exactly what I want to do with this lifetime; what I am supposed to do.

You always want to take advice from people that have a similar life to the one you want, right? So I want to be remembered for my ACE, but more importantly, how I came through it. And when I say “came through it”, I don’t mean I was dancing with my bare feet through a forest with a bunch of fairies like it was no big deal. It was a very, very big deal. I want to be remembered for the deep pain in the way that I cried at times throughout this journey. And not only for the wrecked way I cried at times, but how I came back around to myself every time when the calm eventually found me again THROUGH those tears. Because I eventually learned those tears were never meant to destroy me, they were there to let me know, eventually, I will be okay. How I want to be remembered, and what my legacy is, is showing the truth of how humans are able to live through the most devastating experiences, and that eventually everything can be okay. If you just give life the time to be lived, you will find your life’s meaning, no matter where you come from, and the obstacles that you face. You will always find the way to live your life, and truly love who you are being there.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Starting off, I began my professional journey in the creative industry by modeling at the age of 17. In my career, I’ve had many national and international publications. I’ve even traveled to Greece for 3 months to book jobs with photographers who have been published in Elle and Vogue. Throughout my modeling career, I’ve collaborated with photographers and clients associated with Victoria’s Secret models, Elle, Vogue, Nike, celebrity designers, and some of the most innovative creatives and stylists in the fashion, hair, and makeup industries.

My second life jump, consulting in business, started around 22 years old. I wanted to apply my real-world knowledge to the corporate structure. I did not pick the traditional route of going to college right after school. I wanted to dive headfirst into the arts of life and learn directly from the greatest people in the creative and fashion industries. I not only learned the science of how marketing and branding are thought about and executed through hands-on experience, but I was also immersed in my own creative expression as a model by being part of their strategy. I think this is what made me excel in these early days. I quickly niched into the professional services department as a design consultant for a billion dollar web hosting company. Eventually I ran the entire professional services design department and managed over 25 people on our team to execute website design work for small to enterprise level businesses. We generated millions as a result.

Also, I think it’s dynamic and unique to mention the cross collaboration work I did with other departments in that company. Like helping develop and design the entire website design department’s operational plan and fulfillment procedures, using developers to create a project management program, advising instructional designers on website designer’s onboarding materials, and researching and incorporating the industry’s best practices to remain competitive. This was all inspired by my own blueprint of client success where each phase of my career was up-leveled. I find my own curiosity in providing excellence to be one of the things that sets me apart from my competitors. I think it’s important to mention, if anyone wants to understand the determination and uniqueness of my career pathing, that they learn about where I came from. I do think having adversity in childhood shapes a person to have a level of motivation and intuition that cannot be taught. I write deeply on my childhood story on leihllc.com/words.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think what helped me build my reputation within my market was my personal story and the fact that I prioritize execution and research above all else. What I love most in business is the logical analysis of, “Did you execute or not based on your goals”. I believe that integrity and humility are essential qualities that many professionals often overlook. These traits foster a fluid approach to research, planning, and execution. When it comes to client success and satisfaction, my clients appreciate that I’m here to listen and provide knowledgeable, thoroughly researched responses.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I’m excited to answer this question because it was the biggest one I had before starting my company: referrals. When you do great work, referrals naturally follow. The key is to thoroughly research the market, industry, and its unique challenges. Volunteering your time to shadow or participate in relevant client case studies can also provide invaluable insights. From there, you learn, you create a blueprint, and you execute. I always had side jobs while growing my knowledge because I understood I did not want to burn my reputation as a result of failing forward through clients as collateral damage. I made the decision to master essential skills by dedicating my time to learning and shadowing, even without compensation. This experience allowed me to gain valuable knowledge, which I could then apply to offer clients services truly worth paying for. That level of energy not only shines through during your pitch and consultation calls, but also positions you as the authoritative advisor and consultant your clients need. I worked as a design consultant, with horrible commissions and hourly rates, all because I was able to work for a corporate company, and help over 500 businesses within my career. From a tree stump removal company to an enterprise-level entity, I had the chance to execute. In my opinion, and as my mentors taught me, it’s worth putting in the hard work to know your craft inside and out. That way, others will trust and recommend you above all else. That’s the “Leih Way” for me anyways.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leihllc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherleih/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.leih/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-leih-763b882a/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leihllc?themeRefresh=1

Image Credits

James Deak Photography, Anoushka, Noah Shephard, Briana Rambo, Joey Couture