We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jess Lindsley Heather Bahlmann. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jess Lindsley below.
Jess Lindsley , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
Our business was born out of a deeply personal journey. Community and authentic connection had become essential in our lives, and it took a global pandemic to inspire us to share this need with others. What began as a personal desire evolved into a mission to ensure that everyone could access the transformative power of intentional gathering.
It all started one fateful day when Jess and I ran into each other while volunteering at our youngest daughters’ playschool. In a rare moment of honesty, we confessed to feeling stuck—like we were running on the proverbial hamster wheel, checking all the boxes, but not truly fulfilled. That conversation sparked something. Together with another friend, we decided to craft a list of curiosities, holding each other accountable for exploring, learning, and trying new things.
What started as a small, semi-casual group quickly grew into something much more meaningful. We realized this wasn’t just a fun idea—it was becoming a sacred practice. Women gathered, not just for the activities, but for the space we created to show up authentically. We set boundaries: commit to the group, or step aside. For five years, we nurtured this practice, discovering firsthand how powerful intentional connection could be.
Then the pandemic hit, and suddenly, gathering wasn’t allowed. Despite the restrictions, we adapted, meeting virtually to share resources, hacks, and honest conversations about how we were struggling. In January, one of our group members was about to have her second child, and we couldn’t let the milestone pass without honoring her. So, bending social distancing recommendations, we hosted an outdoor baby shower around a fire—a small, intimate celebration that reminded us just how essential community is.
That gathering sparked something even bigger. Shortly after the baby arrived, so did Hey Birdie.
At first, we thought our idea had to be a podcast. The guidelines for in-person gatherings were still strict, so we leaned into what we thought was possible. But it didn’t feel right—recording episodes lacked the energy and magic of women gathering for a collective purpose. What people needed wasn’t just to hear stories about connection—they needed to experience it.
A friend mentioned that she and other women in her neighborhood were craving something like the women’s group we’d created. That’s when the idea for Flight Club was born. Rule #1? Tell everyone.
We launched our first Flight Club with 12 women, and its success was immediate. Word spread quickly, and within a year, we expanded to 2, then 3, then 4 Clubs. The appeal was simple: women didn’t have to do anything but trust us + show up.
Today, Hey Birdie continues to grow, grounded in the same values that sparked our very first gathering: the need to feel seen, heard, and supported. What started as a spark of curiosity has become a movement to bring women together for meaningful connection—and it’s only just the beginning.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Jess and I co-founded Hey Birdie to create something we couldn’t live without: a space for intentional connection, growth, and FUN. Our journey started years ago with a transformative women’s group that taught us a life-changing truth: community isn’t just a luxury; it’s essential. That group, “The Whole SHEbang,” became our sacred practice of showing up for each other, sharing curiosity, and leaning into life’s messiness. When the pandemic hit and gathering wasn’t an option, it became crystal clear just how vital these spaces were. So, we turned our personal practice into something bigger.
Hey Birdie offers Flight Clubs, rites of passage ceremonies, and other intentional events that celebrate connection, curiosity, and compassion. We partner with women-owned businesses to provide unique experiences—from wellness practices to rituals to creative workshops and so much more —helping our community explore who they are while supporting local entrepreneurs. What we offer is more than a checklist of self-care tools; it’s a chance to show up as your whole self and be part of something that feels deeply supportive.
Starting Hey Birdie wasn’t without its challenges. Launching during a pandemic, when people were still wary of in-person connection, was no small feat. Plus, there’s that stubborn cultural narrative that women should compete rather than collaborate—a story we’re thrilled to help rewrite. Add in the occasional entrepreneurial hiccup (Who’s in charge of the website? Do we really have to do another photo shoot?), we have had plenty of moments where we wondered if we could pull it off. But what kept us going was the energy we felt in women when they came together—the power of being seen, heard, and held. That’s magic, and we wanted to create more of it.
What sets Hey Birdie apart is our intention. We’re not here to teach you a skill or check a networking box. We’re here to remind you who you are when you’re surrounded by people who truly get you.
Oh, and about running a business with one of your best friends? It’s the best and also…an adventure. Jess and I have navigated it all—differing opinions, countless texts, and the occasional “Wait, what is today?” moment. But what’s made it work is the same thing we offer in our gatherings: honest communication, mutual respect, and a shared belief and fierce committment to what we’re building.
At the heart of Hey Birdie is the idea that authentic connection changes everything. We believe life is better when you’ve got a flock to fly with.
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
One of the most unique elements of the Flight Club experience is the element of surprise. Our “birds in flight” receive their Flight Plan details in a connection email just 36 hours before they gather. Early on, we decided to add a personal touch by creating a fun and slightly mysterious video to accompany these emails. The idea was to give participants a taste of what was coming without revealing too much—just enough to spark excitement and curiosity.
We dove into this idea with gusto, bringing in props, costumes, and music to produce videos that hinted at the gathering’s theme or takeaway. Neither of us is particularly comfortable in front of the camera, so we’d film these on tight schedules, leaving little time for retakes or overthinking. The result? Pure, ridiculous joy.
The more we messed up, the better the videos became. We’d end most filming sessions in fits of belly laughter, with plenty of bloopers to spare. What started as a daunting task turned into one of the most fun and authentic parts of our process. The videos weren’t polished, and that was the point—we wanted them to feel real.
These videos have become one of our favorite “marketing” tools, not because they’re perfect, but because they embody who we are. They show us having fun, leaning into imperfection, and embracing the same curiosity and connection we encourage in our gatherings. From Day 1, we’ve never claimed to be experts or gurus. We’re right there alongside our birds, sharing the same needs, desires, and curiosities.
This approach has helped us build trust and make things delightfully weird in the best way possible. It’s a reminder that marketing doesn’t have to be about perfection; it can be about showing up authentically, having fun, and letting it fly.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
As mentioned earlier, we didn’t start Hey Birdie with a coaching certificate or a neatly crafted playbook. It began as two friends following a hunch—that other women were craving the same thing we were: more. More connection, more authenticity, more spaces to just be. Between us, we had over 20 years of experience in community building, reputations for being scrappy and fearless, and a shared passion for raising the collective vibration for women everywhere. And yes, we wanted to create something that would leave a meaningful legacy for our daughters.
From the start, we sought the support and guidance of practitioners, facilitators, and teachers to help shape our programming. But what we had to unlearn, like so many entrepreneurs, was the dreaded imposter syndrome—the feeling that we weren’t “qualified” enough to lead—and the belief that we had to do it all ourselves.
The truth is, we’ve leaned on each other every step of the way. When one of us forgets the gifts, talents, and wisdom we bring to the table, the other is there to remind her. Over time, we’ve grown more confident in facilitating our programming independently while also learning to delegate and ask for help. Hiring a social media manager we trust wholeheartedly was a game-changer, as was enlisting the support of an advisory board to help guide our strategic planning and connect us with valuable resources.
We’ve also embraced the power of community to help build this business. We know the most effective marketing is word of mouth, so we’ve leaned into asking our customers to share their experiences and invite others to join. It’s been humbling to see how many women have stepped up, spreading the word and encouraging others to say yes to something new.
What we’ve learned is this: we can’t build the company we envision on our own. Mistakes will happen—and that’s okay. The magic of Hey Birdie isn’t in getting everything perfect; it’s in showing up, learning as we go, and trusting the brave women who say yes to this experience.
We’re grateful every day for the community that believes in what we’re building and for the lessons we’ve unlearned along the way. By letting go of perfection and embracing collaboration, we’ve discovered that winging it—with courage and authenticity—is sometimes the best way to fly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heybirdie.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hey_birdie_co/
- Facebook: Hey Birdie – Finding Your Flock
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hey-birdie/posts/?feedView=all
Image Credits
Heart Space Studio | Leigh Orne
Remember Your Voice | Corinna Lander
Essence + Artistry | Kelly Shroads