Conversations with Heather Hembree

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Hembree

Hi Heather, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Ever since I was younger, I’ve had an affinity for DIY, home design and bringing people together. I’ve always been crafty and enjoy creating spaces and moments that make people feel welcome and seen. In 2017, my husband and I purchased our first house and started DIY renovations to make it our own. After some encouragement to share – I created an Instagram account, Adventures With Heather. The name didn’t quite scream home décor, but I knew I didn’t want to pigeonhole myself either. Over the next two years, I shared DIYs, thrifting tips and began to build a community, a small community albeit, but they are mighty, and I love them. In this time, I created a small home décor business that soon failed. It was embarrassing and hard. I had so many cheering me on, but the business idea just wasn’t feasible. So, I gathered my pride and did what was necessary – I pivoted. Call it intuition, but from the beginning, I had always known I didn’t want to stick strictly to home décor. I recognized a common theme when connecting with my community – a lack of confidence. In 2020, my focus became not only creativity and DIY but encouraging confidence, kindness and adventure. I didn’t just want to coach people through a home or craft project, but I wanted to see them through the hard life stuff. I wanted to be their cheerleader, their hype girl – encouraging them to love themselves and their life right where they are. I wanted to build a community that made the world better, so cheesy right?! Over this past year, my community has held virtual dance parties, trivia, and game nights. In less than a week’s time, we collectively raised $1200 to donate to local health care workers and even started a pen pal program with Tampa area seniors. I’ve continued to show people how to design a beautiful tablescape or build a fireplace from scratch – but I’ve also shared my struggles with mental illness, self image and confidence. I wanted a place for people to come back to and be encouraged, so I started a blog and then a podcast – ‘Unapologetically Confident.’ My story is not one of instant success or how I’ve figured it all out but more of being in the messy middle. I’m in the thick of navigating my way through my journey. After all, it’s more about the journey, not just the destination. But, I’m looking forward to finishing my workbook, hosting a women’s retreat and continuing to be a light in what sometimes seems to be a very dark world.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve had two major obstacles – 1. Differentiating between my job and my vocation. 2. All the social media noise. My “day” job is as a home health speech-language pathologist working with the geriatric population. I love what I do, but it’s not my calling. It’s not my passion. “A vocation is a calling. A vocation is a divine invitation. A vocation is a voice of the universe in your ear saying we want you to do this thing, use your talents and gifts and make this thing.” – Elizabeth Gilbert. My vocation is guiding women to feel more confident, promote self-love and to create connection. Over the past couple of years, I’ve learned that a job and a vocation are not mutually exclusive. My vocation does NOT have to be my job. My other obstacle has been social media noise. There are so many people sharing on social media now. What makes me and what I have to say special? How do I know that what I’m sharing is important or worth being shared. After all, I’m just a little ole’ account in a vast Instagram-land. When these doubts creep up, I’m quickly reminded of the “one.” The one person who needed to hear my message today. The one person that I helped feel a little less alone by sharing my struggles. The one person who performed an act of kindness because they felt inspired. The noise is irrelevant when I put into perspective the “one.”

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I create space in the world for women to love themselves and their homes exactly where they are right now. I show up and share honest and vulnerable moments to reassure them that they don’t need to be “more” of anything to have worth, to be successful or to be loved. I’ve been blessed with a gift to make others feel seen and special, and I’m determined to use this gift to build a community of supportive, confident, kind, and adventurous women. Oh, and I have two different thumbs – that definitely sets me apart!

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I would be delighted to work with an organization to create a women’s night or even a retreat to suit their needs. Not your thing? You can always connect and support me on Instagram. While you’re at it, share with your friends! The more like-minded women I can bring into my community, the greater the impact we can make, in not just Tampa but the world.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: adventureswithheather.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/adventures_with_heather
• Facebook: facebook.com/adventureswithheatherh/
• Other: Podcast: Unapologetically Confident