Kristin Heideman: How I Built a Lifestyle Business, Walked Away From the Scale-at-All-Costs Trap, and Found Success on My Own Terms Artwork

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Kristin Heideman: How I Built a Lifestyle Business, Walked Away From the Scale-at-All-Costs Trap, and Found Success on My Own Terms

November 25, 2025 • Aggie & Cristy • Season 4 • Episode 49

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Kristin Heideman spent more than twenty years working inside the insurance industry before she realized she was ready to build something of her own. When she was let go from a job she excelled in, she walked into Best Buy the next morning, bought a laptop, registered her business the day after, and stepped into a version of her career she had never imagined.

In this Diary of a CEO style conversation, Kristin breaks down the real story behind The Brinkman Group, why she never wanted to scale into a large operation, and how she created a business that supports her life rather than consumes it. She talks about her early years typing ID cards, the moment she understood her own value, and the confidence she had to build one decision at a time.

Kristin explains why insurance is a hidden goldmine for women, why flexibility is now essential in hiring, and how she built a thriving practice without buying every tool, subscription, or automation that promised explosive growth. She speaks openly about the realities of being a solo founder, the traps she avoided, the clients she attracted through consistency, and the discipline it took to choose depth over speed.

This episode is a clear look at what happens when a woman refuses to play small, chooses a path that fits her values, and defines success on her own terms. If you have ever questioned whether you need to scale to win, or whether small and powerful can be a strategy, Kristin’s story will give you a new way to think about success.

Show Notes

1. A new beginning at 41
Kristin describes the day she decided to launch her company, the circumstances that pushed her out of her previous job, and how she trusted herself enough to start immediately.

2. The reality of the insurance industry
A candid look at why insurance is stable, well paying, and full of opportunity, especially for women who are ready to step into higher level roles.

3. Building a lifestyle business with intention
How Kristin chose focus, freedom, and quality over headcount and rapid expansion.

4. Confidence and risk as a career strategy
Kristin explains how she strengthened her confidence, how she stopped holding back, and why women need to recognize their own value.

5. Staying scrappy instead of overspending
Why founders often waste money on tools they do not need and how Kristin kept her business simple by relying on relationships and consistency.

6. Hiring trends and the future of insurance
How retirement waves, market pressure, and remote work expectations are reshaping the talent landscape.

Guest Contact
Kristin Heideman
Founder, The Brinkman Group
Website: thebrinkmangroup.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristin-heideman-a1076b46

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