How She Built a $100M Business From Her Living Room | Heidi Somers

Summary

• I had to learn everything from scratch: leading, hiring, selling online, and leveraging resources like Google to build my business from the ground up. Embrace the process of learning as you go.
• In the beginning, I did everything myself, but I soon realized the importance of building a team and not hiring friends or family directly, as it complicates relationships and boundaries. Instead, cherish personal relationships separately from business ones.
• Creating a great product that I believed in, like my pink leggings, was critical. Focus on making something that empowers you and your customers.
• Transitioning from being friend-centric to professionally hiring was a necessary evolution to bring my vision to life effectively.
• As a leader, setting boundaries and maintaining a professional demeanor, even with friends, is vital. Learn to shift personas from being a friend to an owner when necessary.
• Embrace hardships as they allow deeper connections, particularly in mission-driven environments. Collaborate closely with your team and allow room for friendships to grow organically in professional settings.
• Protecting the integrity of your product and brand is paramount. Be fearless in standing your ground, even with shaking hands, when it comes to upholding product quality and business values.
• The most transformational leadership change for me was learning to stand firm in business dealings, ensuring the final product always met the high expectations of my customers.
• Encourage people to be in roles where they excel. Sometimes that means acknowledging that someone is too brilliant for their current role and offering them new opportunities.
• Balancing personal values with public perception while being both the company’s face and its leader can be challenging. I prioritize the brand image without being swayed by external pressures.
• Having a structured week, including dedicated time for product design and team management, helps maintain focus and innovation.
• Use customer feedback effectively. Continually refine and improve products by engaging with your audience directly to ensure product excellence.
• I’ve learned to delegate and trust my team, allowing them to grow while still providing guidance without micromanaging.
• My key motivator is to excel in business without compromising the values of integrity and customer trust, ensuring that all delegations allow the organization’s mission to be fulfilled genuinely.
• Emphasize the importance of transparency, diversity, and excellence within your company culture and operations. These principles guide decision-making and relationships within the business.
• Lastly, constantly reflect on how to evolve as a leader by learning from each experience while maintaining focus on the greater mission and purpose driving the business forward.

Video

How To Take Action

I would suggest implementing a mindset of learning as you go. Google and other resources can teach you a lot about running your business. Don’t be afraid to start with what you know and learn the rest along the way.

A big lesson I learned was the importance of building a team. At first, I did everything myself, but later understood that you can't run a business all by yourself. Try hiring outside your circle of friends and family. It’s crucial to maintain professional relationships in business settings.

Creating an excellent product is another key focus. If you believe in what you're selling, like I did with my pink leggings, it’ll shine through. Focus on developing products that make your customers feel empowered.

As a leader, set clear boundaries between personal and professional relationships. Encourage people in your business to excel by recognizing their strengths and offering growth opportunities.

Adopt a structured work week to help maintain focus. Dedicate specific days for different tasks, like designing products and managing your team. It keeps things fresh and organized.

Stay true to your company values, like transparency and customer trust. Use customer feedback to improve your products continuously.

Finally, self-reflection is important. Always consider how you can improve as a leader while staying true to your mission. This approach will drive your business forward and strengthen your team.

Quotes

"No one's coming to save you, you're just going to save yourself"

– Leila Hormozi

"You can't outmarket a bad product"

– Leila Hormozi

"Everything you do should be like a masterpiece"

– Leila Hormozi

"Make good decisions, that's all it comes down to"

– Leila Hormozi

"Do it with shaking hands"

– Leila Hormozi