We recently connected with Heather Pierce and have shared our conversation below.
Heather, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.
There will always be haters and nay-sayers in every industry. I persist through that negativity by focusing on why I chose to take this step for my career in the first place and trusting that it will lead me to a better place than I was before. I also enjoy how it feels to break new boundaries and show people that I am capable of doing things they didn’t think I could do. I think about what it will feel like the moment I get to show them that what they thought was impossible IS possible, and I got to prove it.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a commercial pilot and currently fly the Boeing 757 and 767 for a major airline. It is special because there are still very few female aviators and I get to help pave the way for the next generation. I believe only 8% of pilots in the US are female. I am also about to launch a clothing line. Fashion has always been a true love of mine and I am taking classes to learn about the business side of fashion as we speak so that I can be prepared as possible when I’m finally ready to launch.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The most impactful skills that used on my journey were: 1. Perseverance (stubbornness). Once I have my mind set on something it is near impossible for me to walk away from that mission until it is complete. I don’t see quitting or failure as an option and push through even the hardest circumstances to make it happen. There were many times that I was physically, emotionally, and financially exhausted, living on peoples couches and eating close to nothing in order to get to the finish line. Many told me to give up or try something else, not out of cruelty, but because they didn’t want to see me suffer. But my personality is to see things to the end and I did. Now I’m thankfully in a position to help others in need.
2. Work Ethic. I think it’s easy to look at someone’s career and think that it has all been a walk in the park, but the fact is, I know very few people that have achieved true success without working extremely hard at it, failing, and getting back up again over a long period of time. Social media doesn’t show that kind of struggle. It’s important to know that ANYTHING is possible, but that it takes work. And that’s ok.
3. Love for what I do. I am very lucky to find two careers (aviation and fashion) that I love very much. As I have said before, success is a long and winding road. It can be exhausting and expensive. If I didn’t love what I was doing, I probably would have either not made it to the finish line or regretted my decision once I finished. I don’t think love is enough to materialize goals, but I sure do think it helps.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
The number one obstacle that I am currently facing is when to have children and will having children affect my businesses or my career. My husband and I would like to try to have a family soon. He supports me chasing my career goals and I his, but we want to prioritize our children when we have them. Sometimes, when I’m thinking about choosing between my career and my family, I ask myself, if I were a man would someone tell me I have to choose between these two things? Usually, the answer is no. The idea of a woman being strong in her career and being a good mother is still novel and I feel that I mentally put myself in a box without realizing it. I need to remind myself that my husband and I are a team and that we can find a way to make things work as one.
I suppose there is no perfect answer as to when to have children and how to divide time between work and family, but I will trust in the fact that we will try our best and adjust as needed in the future.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @blueskyheather
