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

Heather, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?

The most important lesson in my journey from being a corporate cog to a fearless business owner was when I said “hell no” to a high-paying corporate job that could have bought a comfortable lifestyle. I had a goal back then – a modest one – to break free from the shackles of corporate drudgery and scrape together a measly 3K a month as an entrepreneur.

I was standing at the crossroads, on the brink of rejecting a job offer that promised stability, with a hefty salary and all the trappings of success. It was the kind of job society deemed the pinnacle of achievement, the golden ticket to financial security. But I knew I wasn’t going backward.

Here’s the backstory – I had climbed the corporate ladder for a soul-crushing 15 years, and the experience was nothing short of a descent into the ninth circle of hell. Corporate life, for me, was a seething pit of soul-sucking bureaucracy and mind-numbing politics. It was an environment where people would stab each other in the back just to move closer to that proverbial corner office – or cubicle.

Working in corporate was a poison that slowly but surely eroded my essence. It was a place that was driving me towards mental and physical annihilation. I had become a hollow shell of who I once was and couldn’t stand it any longer.

So, I gave them the middle finger and walked away from it all. I left behind the allure of a high-paying job to hopefully pave my own way and build something better. I was on a mission to reclaim my life and my identity. It was not easy; I am still deconditioning to this day.

Fast forward to today, and The Clover Collective is a testament to the rebellion against corporate oppression. We’ve crafted a haven where humanity takes precedence over profits, where we’re unapologetically diverse and driven by passion, and most definitely not a corporate-esque bottom line.

Ultimately, I’ve learned this: never compromise on your dreams, values, or sanity. My journey from corporate prisoner to entrepreneurial liberator was anything but a leisurely stroll in the park. It was about rediscovering my true self and building something extraordinary that defies the corporate norms of conformity.

It’s more than business as usual at The Clover Collective. It’s a relentless pursuit of passion and purpose.

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?

I’m Heather Lawson Bradfield, your go-to professional cat herder in the wild world of digital operations. I specialize in providing top-tier digital operations support for the most creative and forward-thinking individuals and marketing agencies. I’m here to share my insights for those looking for guidance, especially if you’re aspiring to run your own agency.

My journey into this fascinating industry began with a deep-seated passion for helping creatives and marketing agencies streamline their day-to-day operations with the knowledge I gained in my corporate life. You know all those headaches that pop up when you’re trying to run and grow your business? Well, we guide our clients through the intricacies of digital operations.

So, what’s the essence of my work? My team and I are the wizards behind the scenes, specializing in online operations management. We support neurodivergent entrepreneurs and members of marginalized communities, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. We’re all about nurturing people, optimizing processes, and mastering the tech that powers operations.

Our toolkit includes everything from hiring and team management to crafting SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), implementing and upgrading tech solutions, conducting in-depth reporting and analysis, optimizing workflows, and a whole host of other tasks you’d rather not tackle alone.

Now, onto some additional information about my approach and beliefs:

– I’m a corporate escapee with a decade and a half of operations experience in Fortune 5 companies. My team? Well, they bring a combined 30+ years of corporate wisdom to the table, and together, we’re like a digital operations dream team.
-I’m deeply committed to self-education and actively engage with multicultural educators. This commitment extends to my approach because creating an inclusive, diverse space is non-negotiable.
– I’m proudly queer. It’s an integral part of who I am, and I aim to attract clients who appreciate and resonate with this aspect of my identity.
– Disability isn’t always visible, and I want to clarify that. I’m living proof of that and here to support and serve all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
– My focus predominantly revolves around working with womxn, the queer community, and multicultural groups. If you’re curious about why this is important to me, please refer to anything written above.
So, whether you’re an agency owner looking to transform your operations or someone who resonates with my approach, I’m excited to connect with you.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

I’d be happy to share a story about a challenging time for my business, one that taught me a crucial lesson about diversification.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit businesses hard, and mine was no exception. In a span of just 24 hours, I faced a harrowing situation where I lost a substantial chunk of my business. It was a large blow to my business and my confidence, but I took it as a learning opportunity.

At that moment, it became alarmingly clear how vulnerable my business was due to its heavy reliance on a single source of income. It was a near-death experience for my business, and I had to act swiftly to navigate this crisis.

The pivotal lesson I learned during this time was the necessity of diversifying my client base. Relying on one major client or a narrow set of clients, as I had been doing, exposed my business to the whims of external factors like a global pandemic.

In response, I made it a top priority to broaden my client portfolio, seeking out diverse industries and businesses. This diversification helped stabilize my business and gave it resilience in the face of unforeseen challenges.

It was a wake-up call that reinforced the importance of adaptability and preparedness in the ever-changing entrepreneurship landscape. This experience taught me never to put all my eggs in one basket and to continually seek opportunities for growth and diversification, ensuring that my business could weather any storm that came its way.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

When it comes to managing a team and maintaining high morale, I have some valuable advice to share. We actually cover a wealth of insights on hiring and team building in our YouTube Channel and Podcast, The Imperfect Founder, which can be a valuable resource for readers looking to delve deeper into these topics.

In managing a team, one of my core principles revolves around hiring talent based on their passions and areas of expertise. It’s not about micromanaging or imposing rigid structures; it’s about recognizing and valuing each team member’s strengths and passions.

Here’s a valuable tip: Empower your team members to take ownership of their roles and projects. Trust in their expertise and allow them the freedom to innovate and bring their creative ideas to the table. When you give your team the autonomy to excel in their areas of strength, you’ll see remarkable results and foster a sense of ownership and pride within the group. Another essential aspect of maintaining high morale is fostering and creating opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Remember, a motivated and engaged team is more likely to be productive, creative, and committed to the success of your business. So, keep nurturing those passions, leveraging expertise, and building a culture that empowers your team to thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theclovercollective.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherlawsonbradfield/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherlawsonbradfield/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heatherlawsonbradfield
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/heatherlawsonbradfield/

Image Credits
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