In today's Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Spotlight, we're excited to feature Heidi Hattendorf. With a focus on empowering startups and mid-sized businesses across diverse industries, Heidi's expertise in strategic marketing and go-to-market strategies has made a significant impact on her clients' growth and profitability. Join us as we delve into Heidi's inspiring story and her approach to overcoming challenges.
Hi, Heidi! Thanks for joining us today. Tell us about your business. Who do you serve, how do you serve them, and what's the impact that your business and work makes?
I lead a Marketing Consulting and Business Advisory company dedicated to empowering companies to achieve profitable growth in the long term. We serve startups and mid-sized businesses by providing strategic marketing leadership and actionable go-to-market strategies tailored to their unique needs. The industries range from life sciences to regulatory, manufacturing, and financial services – all with the ambition to fine-tune their approach and grow their business profitably. I help companies with their revenue streams, improved customer acquisition, and strengthen market positioning, ultimately driving these companies to scale efficiently and profitably.
Tell us about the moment you finally felt like you went from wantrepreneur to entrepreneur.
Innovation and the entrepreneurial approach have always been in my DNA, even as part of large companies. It is a mindset and a way of working to create, build, and get results. I had given my business a lot of thought to where I could add the most value, align with market needs, and provide compelling offers. This all came together when I stepped into the entrepreneur model full-time and started working with clients. It has been rewarding to add value to their business and work across a range of different industries to truly make a difference.
Describe the moment or period in your life/career that motivated you to make the entrepreneurial leap.
There has been a lot of change, especially in tech and in SaaS and with so many reorganizations and less stability. I saw the opportunity to help companies with actionable packages that could ensure results and be a partner to them, helping them succeed. In many ways, the entrepreneurial model is more stable, because it de-risks if there is a change to one business. It’s not for everyone, but for me – this has been so fulfilling to make the change and move full speed ahead.
Describe a tool, service, or software that has been a game-changer for your business. How does it contribute to your success?
Joining professional communities, both in person and by topic online, has been a game-changer for my business. These networks offer invaluable support and opportunities for cross-marketing, allowing me to learn from other executives and share my own executive knowledge and expertise. By actively participating in these groups, I've been able to stay ahead of industry trends, build meaningful relationships, add value, and foster collaboration that drives success for both my clients and my practice.
We know that success is very often a non-linear path. Tell us about a failure, pivot point, or lesson that changed your course or direction and helped to get you where you are today.
One of the greatest fears can be, ‘Will this work?’ From my experience and perspective, I believe two key ingredients to success are self-motivation and consistency. There is a temptation to ‘doubt’ and question. But the way to move past that is to believe in yourself, your business, your market and ‘show up’ every day for clients and your own business. I always take in feedback to adjust the course and look to be a better version each day. There will be setbacks and doubts, but that would be in any role as well. Believe and show up.
What unconventional strategy did you employ that significantly impacted your business?
One unconventional strategy that paid off was embracing a holistic approach to client relationships. Instead of focusing solely on deliverables, I invested time in understanding their long-term vision and aligning my services to support their broader business goals. This approach fostered deeper trust, long-term partnerships, and repeat business, significantly impacting the growth and stability of my business.
What’s something you wish you knew sooner that you’d give as advice for aspiring or newer entrepreneurs?
I wish I had known how much support is actually available for aspiring entrepreneurs. There are countless resources, communities, and mentors ready to help you along the way. By participating and offering your own insights, you are part of the learning exchange. If you have a passion and a vision, you can start defining your brand on the side while you prepare to make the leap. This is something I did, and it allowed me to build a strong foundation before fully committing. Now, I help others do the same, guiding them to leverage available support, create their brand, and map their business plan with confidence.
Want to go deeper into Heidi's work? Use the links below to connect with her:
- Visit Heidi's Website heidihattendorf.com
- Connect with Heidi on LinkedIn: Heidi Hattendorf
