Business Origin Stories for Entrepreneurs, Coaches, and Leaders
Business Origin Stories is the podcast for leadership, life, and business. This show features coaching calls and heart-to-heart conversations with successful entrepreneurs, leaders, authors, and experts.
Join your host, Amy Schutte, a business coach and brand strategist, as she dives into ways to create stand-out brands and aligned businesses through storytelling and proven business frameworks.
At its core, Business Origin Stories is a recognition that the stories we tell are our greatest currency.
Business Origin Stories for Entrepreneurs, Coaches, and Leaders
120: The Second Act: Helping Women Return to Work with Confidence
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What happens when life takes you away from the workforce for nearly two decades?
For Heather Nemelka, that question became the foundation for a mission that is now helping women, career changers, and workforce returners rediscover their confidence and create new opportunities.
In this episode of Business Origin Stories, Heather shares her remarkable journey from returning to work after an 18-year career gap to founding both Elevator and the Elevator Foundation. Along the way, she discovered that many talented individuals are overlooked not because they lack ability, but because traditional hiring systems often fail to recognize their value.
Amy and Heather explore:
- Why informational interviews are one of the most effective job search tools available
- What employers miss when they automatically filter out candidates with career gaps
- The surprising strengths caregiving develops
- How confidence is rebuilt after layoffs, transitions, or extended time away from work
- Why returnships can create win-win opportunities for employers and employees
- The importance of self-discovery during major life transitions
- How professionals can better advocate for themselves inside organizations
One of the most powerful moments in the conversation comes when Heather shares the lesson that transformed her own career trajectory: "Run toward the ball." Rather than waiting for recognition or opportunity, she learned to proactively demonstrate her value and create new possibilities.
Whether you're navigating a career transition, leading a team, or building a company culture that values untapped talent, this episode offers practical advice and encouraging reminders that growth is always possible.
Connect with Heather:
LinkedIn: Heather Nemelka
Website: elavare.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elavareco/
Instagram:
@amyschutte_
Work with us: www.hudsonandco.co