In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world, entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the economy. They are risk-takers, innovators, and visionaries who are constantly looking for new ways to create value and solve problems. One such entrepreneur is Heather Stratford.
Heather is a woman who has made a significant impact in the world of business, specifically in the realm of cybersecurity and compliance education. Having a strong background in publishing, food services, contractor services, marketing, and cybersecurity, she has used and implemented new technologies in all of her positions. She holds an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management, which has helped ground her knowledge in solid business practices.
Her unique perspective as a female entrepreneur has allowed her to become a powerful voice in the industry, inspiring other women to take risks and follow their dreams. In this article, we will delve deeper into her journey and explore the qualities that have made her one of the most influential women leaders to follow in 2023.
The Source of Inspiration
Growing up in upstate New York, Heather did not have parents who were entrepreneurs, so she never saw it as a viable career path. However, as she gained more business experience, she realized that she had the skills and temperament to be a boss and build something of her own. When faced with the challenge of needing to find a job in a new city that would put a roof over her family’s head while accommodating raising a family, she decided to create her own path. This pivotal moment led her to choose the path less traveled, which has made all the difference in her life.
She faced numerous challenges in her entrepreneurial journey, but she never lost her optimism and continued to work hard towards her goals. Her unwavering belief in herself and her abilities has been the driving force behind her success. She knew that she had the skills, knowledge, and passion to make a difference, and she was not afraid to take risks and pursue her dreams.
Building Drip7 Inc.: The Next Generation of Cybersecurity Solutions
Talking about the evolution of her company, Heather mentions that Drip7 was a technology solution that came from customer needs and desires. While running Stronger International, Drip7’s parent company – she found a repeated theme and need for a better enterprise tool focused on cyber education. Heather and her team knew from the early stages that the tool if developed fully, would branch out of cybersecurity and be a full global enterprise tool. That’s how Drip7 was built.
Today, Heather, along with her team, is on a mission to build the next generation of learning tools designed for gamified and engaging content delivered in a simple, consistent format. Her expertise in cybersecurity and technology, coupled with her experience in developing content, understanding customer needs, managing people, selling, and implementing technology, made her the perfect person to lead Drip7.
Rising to the Challenges
Like every other business, Heather also faced numerous challenges in building Drip7, such as a lack of financing and staffing issues. However, she never lost her focus and worked hard to overcome these obstacles. One pivotal moment for her was when she had young children, a husband in medical school and needed a job that provided both a roof over their heads and flexibility to raise a family. She realized that entrepreneurship provided her with the flexibility and autonomy to create her own path and take control of her life.
Ruthless Prioritization and Time Management
Heather’s upbringing taught her the importance of prioritization and time management. She understood that women cannot “have it all” simultaneously and that prioritization is key to balancing personal and professional life. Today, she prioritizes her time to ensure that she gets enough sleep, exercise, and still has time to volunteer and attend church.
A Take on Entrepreneurship
When asked about the most critical characteristics for any female entrepreneur to succeed, she emphasizes three characteristics- attitude, hard work, and self-belief.
She also believes that the biggest challenge most female entrepreneurs face is not the idea or the desire to put in hard work, but rather the financing. Only about 2 percent of venture capital funds female entrepreneurs, which is a significant hurdle that Heather hopes to change in the future.
Learning from Failure
Heather believes that failures are stepping stones to success. “I wish I could tell my younger self to start the path of entrepreneurship earlier. It’s okay to take risks, and it’s okay to fail. Each failure teaches you something. Thomas Edison failed over 1,000 times in making the lightbulb,” she asserts. She cites the example of Thomas Edison, who failed over a thousand times before inventing the lightbulb. Failure should not discourage one from pursuing their dreams but should be seen as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Today, Heather is determined to take Drip7 to the next level, provide world-class services to her clients and expand its global reach. She believes that female entrepreneurs can achieve anything they set their minds to and wants to empower the next generation of women entrepreneurs to succeed.
Final Words
As Heather continues to grow and expand her company, she serves as a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women. Her story reminds us that with dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to learn from failure, anything is possible.
Featured Person – Heather Stratford, Founder & CEO
Company Name – Drip7 Inc.
Quote- “A crazy idea that became a little company is fueling a movement to change Cybersecurity learning everywhere.”
