We had the good fortune of connecting with Wendy Lee and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Wendy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
What kind of person walks away from a high-level, great paying, rewarding position, at the height of her corporate career spanning more than thirty years, to start a business with zero business experience?
It sounds crazy, right? Trading in security and reliability for uncertainty and the unknown was not at the top of my bucket list. And believe me, I had many ruminating conversations with myself about the impractical nature and gravity of burning the ships to leave behind a world, that at the time, was a big part of my identity.
Even though it felt scary, I had a secret weapon. I had accumulated enough personal transformational awareness on my spiritual growth path to know that I could trust my intuition and take a chance. And my gut was screaming it was time to do the next thing. So despite my comfort zone throwing a hissy fit, I stepped into my purpose and created LeadHERship Revolution Coaching in 2018.
It wasn’t a choice. It was a calling.
For decades I climbed the corporate ladder and loved it. My hard work, long hours, and dedication paid off. Eventually landing me in the role of Senior Vice President of Human Resources. I got a lot of satisfaction helping employees resolve conflict, mentoring and teaching staff and company employees and making a difference. My motto was “Let’s put the Human back in Human Resources.” But deep down, I was neglecting my own basic human needs. A survival tactic I picked up from childhood trauma.
To the outside world I was crushing it. I completely embraced the hustle and grind culture but I was abandoning who I really was. People pleasing, hiding parts of my personality, and not always speaking my truth, started to take a toll.
In fact I was going through a divorce, not my first failed relationship. I was at a crossroads. With a bit of contemplation I came to the sobering notion that I was the common denominator in all of my circumstances and was .ready to take ownership. It was time to step into my life differently.
I embarked on a quest for understanding. What I discovered over the next ten years completely transformed my life in ways that never seemed possible. And it was done through being seen, heard and validated by mentors and engaging in coaching programs.
I started applying these tactics at work, and got better results, human results. The kind that aren’t found in the official employee handbook. It became clear that all of our external environments, in both our work and personal relationships, are merely vessels and opportunities that help us connect and grow.
In January 2018 I submitted my notice and my life changed forever. Today I pass on the gift of transformation that I received, and started my life coaching business. My corporate experience provided a foundation, and my soul work offered the deeper connection to do my life’s purpose.
Today, I pay the gift of transformation forward and hold space to reconcile and navigate trauma to experience freedom and joy.
What should our readers know about your business?
If someone told you they discovered the secret to unlock your full potential as a human being, would you sign up? The truth is that we all have exactly what we need, but for most, it is covered up by programming and survival mode behaviors. Sometimes we need a little help seeing what we have not yet seen. I found my breakthrough through transformational coaching. It made such a huge impact in my own life, that I wanted to help others in the same way and left my corporate career to pursue my purpose.
What sets me apart as a transformational coach is I rely heavily on tapping into intuition and trusting the journey that my clients are on. I am not a consultant. I don’t give a step-by-step guide to have the life you desire. I merely hold space for you to safely uncover and discover your true self.
Ten years ago I vaguely knew about the concept of coaching. It sounded a little woo woo to my corporate, business suit mindset. Today I want everyone to have this wonderful gift. My desire is to support people get out of their victim loop that keeps them repeating patterns of behavior and prevents them from living their optimal life.
The journey was not easy but I had a lot of help along the way. Starting a business is not just about the business. It’s about how it allows you to grow and discover your purpose and share that with other humans.
If you have a little whisper that you have been ignoring, to venture out it’s never too late. That desire was uniquely designated for you. It is not too late, you are not too old, or too young, or don’t have enough money to start, all of that will fall into place. You just have to say yes to the invitation. It’s not easy, but staying in a place you no longer belong or have out grown is way harder! There are so many opportunities these days and the world is waiting on you!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Although I am not a native Houstonian I’ve lived in the Galveston and Houston vicinity since 1984 and absolutely claim it as my hometown. The biggest draw to this region is the melting pot of humans that bring so many levels of diversity in the people, arts, music, food and events.
Places
Discovery Green free yoga on Tuesday nights, Hermann Park, Bike Trails, Downtown, Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern to listen to the singling bowls, Museum of Fine Arts, The Japanese Gardens, Galveston
Food
Govindas in The Heights, Fadi’s Mediterranean, State of Grace, Nokturne in Clear Lake area
music scene – being a singer myself, I love live music and Houston has great locations around town to check out.
Sambucas downtown has a great dinner menu and live music.
Karaoke Friday nights at Stadia Sports Grill in Houston
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
No one gets through life alone, especially if you are starting a business. Rule number one: Ask for help!
I had no idea the drastic change it would be to leave the corporate arena and start by own coaching business, I went from being connected to 1,000 people on a daily basis in a corporate setting, to sitting in a make-shift home office, by myself. It was hard. Tears, fears, and feelings of isolation, loneliness and doubt were regular visitors.
Reaching out for help was the key during this transition. I joined a high-level coaching group, connected to new, supportive communities, and nourished my body, soul and mind along the way.
I am so grateful that I was not alone in my journey. I’m filled with gratitude for the fortune of having a village full of support along the way.
My shoutouts begin with my mentors, who provided knowledge and safe spaces for me to experience growth and expansion.
Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul Sunday – This inspirational series features programs that nourish the mind, body and spirit while offering insights into living one’s best life. This was a staple of my weekly diet to bring in positive messaging and inspiration.
www.oprah.com
Darla LeDoux – business coach, speaker, author and founder of Sourced and creator of the Sourced Experience. She works with entrepreneurs and stands by the core message that doing what your soul wants is actually what is the most practical strategy for your life and your business. She has been one of my most impactful coaches, mentor and friend. She helped me create the fundamentals of my business and my life that aligned with my heart and purpose.
www.sourcedexperience.com
Mastin Kipp’s Daily Love – A free daily e-multivitamin for your soul. It was a reminder to get reconnected with the parts that I had abandoned along the way. Mastin’s retreat was also the first retreat I ever attended and it was there a seed was planted to own my next level purpose. He has very insightful information around trauma and its affects on the body and soul. I follow him on Instagram.
mastinkipp
Kyle Cease – A former comedian and actor, he switched gears and is a transformational comedian. His workshops and blogs allowed my to look at my situations in a lighter way and taught me that laughter was the best medicine and that transformation can be fun.
www.kylecease.com
The spaces that helped me connect mind, body and soul.
Valerie Immore has owned Sundance Yoga for over 2o years and it’s been my primary yoga home for the past 12 years. She is my friend, yoga teacher, and we have also partnered on workshops together. I love her classes because they always have a flow that allows you to sync body, mind and soul and a message, seemingly curated for exactly what your heart needs to hear.
www.sundanceyoga.com
YOUniverSOUL Events – A community that brings together unique classes, workshops, certifications, markets and retreats in the growing mindful and conscious communities in Houston and beyond. Al Jameson, John Tran, and Saumil Manek are the founders of this awesome collaboration that brings the city together.
www.youniversoulevents.com
Sesh Coworking – The first female coworking space in Houston that started with the belief that everyone deserves to work in a space where they feel heard, valued and seen. Meredith Wheeler and Maggie Segrich have created a family-friendly community for women to connect and be supported by other like-minded business women.
www.seshcoworking.com
Insight Timer – my meditation app that help keep me centered.
Books that fed my thirst for knowledge and guidance:
The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz
The Gifts of Imperfection, Brene Brown
Shift the Field, Darla LeDoux
Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill / Ben Holden-Cowther
Start With Why, Simon Sinek
The Intelligent Entrepreneur, Bill Murphy Jr.
Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert
The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists, Eleanor D. Payson
Attachments: Why You Love, Feel and Act the Way You Do, Dr. Tim Clinton / Dr. Gary Sibcy
Website: www.leadhershiprevolution.com
Instagram: leadhershiprevolution
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/wendy-lee-92b19114
Facebook: Leadhership Revolution
Youtube: Wendy Lee TV Leadhership Revolution
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