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

Heather, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I recently finished writing a memoir with an older woman in a nursing home hospice (think Tuesdays with Morrie). She had always dreamt of being a published author, so her family honored her wish. This project was a SOUL project. I blogged about our interactions, interviews, and the divine strength of this project. As a result, Pat has acquired so many cheerleaders watching her journey. Her book will be published TOMORROW, with her book launch celebration being held on August 8th. Shhhhh- she doesn’t know, but she will be getting a key to the city from the mayor.

It just doesn’t get any better than this, and I didn’t even get into the beautiful healing that happened for the both of us. The book is titled- Pig Tales and Popcorn: Patricia’s Memoir.

Heather, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a former English educator who felt a calling to be a catalyst for healing and change. So I left teaching, wrote a gritty memoir, and created a business. WildeHouseOf was designed to be a beacon of light for people needing validation, self-awareness, discovery, and healing. More than anything, I love helping others embrace and share their stories. I self-published this past February of 2023. It is titled, Tumbled: A Memoir of Perseverance, Personal Growth & Magical Transformation. Reader responses have been humbling and validating, just the same.
I just finished writing a memoir with an older woman in a nursing home hospice (think Tuesdays with Morrie). She has always dreamt of being a published author, so her family has honored her wish. While working with Pat to uncover her stories, I saw my strengths come to life: providing a safe space for others to be vulnerable and transparent. Here is a direct excerpt from my website:
My writing conveys a person’s personality, values, and emotions. I have mastered the art of capturing the nuances and complexity of our life experiences and finding the heart of the story. My ability to capture the essence of a human being is a rare talent that allows me to tell powerful and moving stories that resonate with readers on a deep level while celebrating the protagonist’s life.
I have started my third book, also helping a gentleman share his story, and I consider it an honor to be able to traverse this path. Somewhere in it all, I discovered how delicious creating art can be. I recently decided I want to be a writer and an artist when I grow up— I think I am off to a good start.

How did you build your audience on social media?

“If you build it, they will come.” Field of Dreams, 1989.

I don’t know how many times coaches have told me to ‘just be yourself.’ What does that even mean when trying to build a brand AND pay the bills? Of course, I watched what other successful humans were doing and tried to fit myself into a similar box. It took me a long time to learn to show up— as me organically. While I longed for success and acceptance, being ME was unpredictable. And scary.

My first following happened without any plan or strategy. I started posting my daily art for a 100-Day Creative Soul Retrieval experience. I showed up transparent and vulnerable, and people responded! It took me many more months to continue to strip out the formulas and lean into my own secret sauce. I had to permit myself to be a writer, speaker, and influencer. Now I want to be an artist too. These components still point back to my brand and my mission: to help others feel validated, seen, heard, and empowered to live an authentic life.

I unapologetically show up on social media as ME: vulnerability, light, and a dash of wit. Don’t worry about what anyone else has going on. Show up consistently and organically, and they will come.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Everything changed for me when I opened the doors to writing my memoir. The process was cathartic, for sure. But more than that, I was fueling myself with inspiration, motivation, and encouragement. I started to listen to my inner messages. When I got the “feeling” I was being called to leave my stable, enjoyable teaching career (did I mention steady?) to traverse an utterly unknown path— I was ready to listen. I did the unthinkable and quit my job as a single mom with no savings, believing I had more extensive and brighter things to accomplish. The past 12 months have been a crazy growing experience, especially when my scarcity mindset monster showed up a few months into entrepreneurship and asked how the bills would get paid. But I made it. And I learned. And I am blissfully happy. I can’t imagine it any other way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wildehouseof.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildehouseof/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.wilde.1975
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-n-wilde-33187b270/

Image Credits
Bailey Jo Photography, Bailey Tardy