heart-led business: what it is and how to start

intuitive self-employment for highly sensitive people

Whenever I meet a curious highly sensitive business visionary that has been conforming to constrictive rules and no longer feels excited about a project that used to feel meaningful to them, I tell them about an approach to business that is all about service and authenticity: the heart-led business (HLB).

This article covers the basics of this type of self-employment: what it is, an example, 6 rules that heart-led business owners tend to break and a checklist for how to get started with your own HLB.

first of all, the definition of „heart-led business“

As the word heart-led implies, this type of business is built upon a heart-felt intention (outwards energy or structure). In contrast to a traditional company that bends over to premade best-practices and rules, a heart-led (also: heart-based, feminine or intuitive) business is revolutionary to the effect that it doesn’t conform to anything that does not overlap with the owner’s personal values and needs (inwards energy or structure).

While a heart-based business’ mission and purpose are unique to the founder(s), most businesses have in common that they aim to contribute to the collective consciousness, a group of people, community or an ecosystem. Although financial gain is possible, it is never the main objective. More so, it is a natural byproduct of the creative output that has a positive impact on the world and its inhabitants.

Let’s take my business as an example: As a self-employed highly sensitive person, it is important to me that my business is an extension of what home feels like for me. A space where my needs are taken into consideration, I can set my boundaries, I am encouraged to speak my truth, I am challenged to face my wounds and be vulnerable. These values are all part of my business’ inwards energy.

As for its outwards energy or intention: I share my knowledge about authentic communication, intuitive business and inner mastery to help highly sensitive people understand and embrace themselves so they can build soul-connections in their community and with their clients.

6 rules that don’t suit most highly sensitive people

Now that we’ve got the definition out of the way, I’m sure you are curious to discover what an alternative, intuitive approach to business actually looks like. These are 6 out of an infinite amount of common beliefs that highly sensitive business owners challenge:

1. You need to be healed in order to inspire others. It’s crazy how many clients of mine actually believed that they needed to be enlightened in order to justify calling themselves a guide to others people whom are on their healing journey.

2. You need to be an expert or know-it-all to show your work. I think this one comes down to generations of social conditioning in regards to the importance of seeking the best (and most expensive) education or certificate you can get - no matter your personal or financial background, or how you preferably acquire new skills and knowledge.

3. You need to take every single person in as a client or customer. Why do we get to be selective with picking our friends in our personal lives, but then at work we need to please every person that crosses our path and shows interest in our work?

4. You need to be committed to just one business ideas. I have written an entire blogpost dedicated to a concept called intuitive multi-business that accounts for the fact that some of us have ever-changing passions and need to be able to work on multiple projects. When you think of it, it is so unnatural that it is considered „normal“ for us to pick a subject that we need to stick to for the rest of our careers as teens.

5. You need to work 8 hours 5 days a week. I think that this rigid structure won’t stick around for much longer anyways. It definitely just doesn’t suit most highly sensitive people. Depending on the amount of energy exchange, most HSP feel drained and tired after just a few hours of work.

6. The faster your business supports you financially the better. Not only does expecting financial outcome in the early days of your business kill your creative flow, but it is such a shallow factor of success. There are so many deeply meaningful things that you can be proud of in the pursuit of your heart-felt intention.

how to get started with your own heart-led business

• keep note of what moves your spirit

I have always paid attention to what other highly sensitive change-makers were doing business-wise. Our excitement is great, because it points out what a part of us desires that we have for ourselves. However, this inspiration can quickly turn into jealousy when our ego jumps in.

That is why, when it comes down to envisioning your own business, it is so important that you remind yourself that you are enough. Anytime you blindly copy what a role model is doing, you’ll get out of touch with your unique essence and personal gifts.

• figure out your why

What is your contribution to our world? What makes you all teary and touches your heart? What has always been of upmost importance to you? What is the light at the end of your tunnel? Who is already working on a similar vision?

Can you answer these questions? If yes, awesome! If you can answer them vaguely, that’s also great! If not, no worries. Set an intention to figure it out and give it some time.

• don’t sweat the details

Since your heart-based business’ intention is the driving force of all operations, the tools you use (eg. podcast, blog, community, book, online-course, online-store, website, physical meet-up space) are of secondary importance - they are merely a means to an end. The end being the purpose and mission of your heart-led business. So get into the energy of sharing your work with other people as soon as you can. If you like it, I’m sure you’ll intuitively know what channel feels right from there on out.

• get used to there being resistance along the way

For most highly sensitive people, founding their HLB and doing the work is difficult at first. And that’s a good thing. Aligning with your purpose will require you to visit your wounds, shadow, and will challenge you to step out of your comfort zone.

It usually also entails that you let go of some things that no longer suit you. As soon as you step into a new part of yourself, there will be resistance from some people in your life - the ones that are challenged by you stepping out of that box they put you in. Henceforth, the beginning of your journey will probably not be all sunshine and rainbows, but it’s like a fast-forward button in your own growth.

• get to know your body’s natural daily creativity surges

One of my clients just took off for 3 months and left the country to let go of any distracting masculine structure at home, to reset her nervous system and rediscover her body’s natural daily cycle. I am not saying you need to do a 3-month vacation, but familiarity with your body’s ideal routine gives you a heads start at creating a container within your business that feels safe and nurturing to your unique being.

• befriend your high sensitivity

Last but not least, your sensitivity is your superpower! Any inauthenticity, misalignment from your purpose, unhealthy behavioral pattern, confinement of your creative or feminine flow will not go unnoticed. It’s time to build a container that accepts and holds all of you: your truth, gifts, needs, wishes, vision, preferences and boundaries.

I’m curious to know if any of these ideas resonate with you. Leave a comment or contact me personally here, if you feel like sharing your own heart-led business journey.

with love,