After a 25+ year career in corporate Human Resources, Heather Kay knew it was time for a change. She founded Ready Aim → Impact, a company dedicated to helping people focus on what they do best to build careers and lives that truly fit them. Heather is a firm believer that success is about understanding your strengths and letting them guide the way. She was happy to share a bit about her journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship.
What was your NOPE moment – the moment you knew corporate life wasn’t for you?
In 2022, I was laid off, and when I started interviewing for new jobs, nothing felt right. When I liked the job, I often didn’t like the culture. Or, if I liked the people and culture, the job itself wasn’t a good fit.
I was over 50 at the time and had to ask myself: Do I really want to take another job just for the sake of having one? That answer was a hard NOPE. So, I started exploring other paths. The more I talked to people and researched different opportunities, the more I realized I wanted to work for myself.
How did you take the leap into entrepreneurship?
Before I answer that, let me share something important about my approach at Ready Aim → Impact. I’m a strengths-based professional, which means I help people focus on what they do best. And here’s something that might surprise you: I don’t believe in the whole “follow your passion” advice. Passion’s great, but it’s not where you start. You need to begin with what you’re actually good at – and let that lead the way.
When I decided to leave the corporate world, I had to take my own advice! What was I really good at? Facilitating seminars, coaching, and helping people have those “aha’ moments.” I was already certified as a Gallup Strengths Coach, so I expanded my network, learned from others, and started working with a partner company to gain more experience.
It wasn’t a straight path. My career had taken me from HR basics to Learning & Development to Talent Development. But at every stage, I was always chasing strengths. That’s when I realized: helping others chase strengths is what I want to do, and I’m going all in.
What’s the most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur – and what keeps you going?
From a personal perspective, it’s the freedom! I set my own schedule, make time for what matters, and create a balance I never had in corporate life. Maybe I take time for a family event one day, then work late another day – but I get to call the shots.
But what truly keeps me on this path going is the impact. Running a business is a constant challenge, but seeing people grow, think differently, and change their behavior because of what they learned? That’s everything. That’s why “impact” is at the core of everything I do.
If you could give one game-changing piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Be open. Be authentic. Be real about the challenges. The entrepreneur world is full of people willing to share their struggles and support each other. Your success won’t happen overnight, and you’ll face plenty of roadblocks. But when you connect with other entrepreneurs, you’ll find insights, ideas, and opportunities you may never discover on your own.
For example, maybe marketing isn’t your thing – someone in your network might have a great referral. Maybe you’re stuck on pricing – another entrepreneur might share what worked for them. You may be in business for yourself, but you’re not by yourself. There’s a whole community out there ready to support you. Lean into it!
Inspired by Heather’s story? Stay tuned – more real talk from bold entrepreneurs who took the leap are coming your way!