Meet Eileen Hayman

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eileen Hayman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eileen below.

Hi Eileen, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Developing confidence and self-esteem is something I’m genuinely passionate about discussing, especially because it’s a journey many of us go through. Like most people, I experienced phases of insecurity and often found myself comparing my accomplishments or appearance to others. I learned over time that this mindset can be a huge setback, and it’s a habit we all need to unlearn. My biggest piece of advice is never to compare yourself to others—whether it’s about looks, achievements, or lifestyle. Nothing positive comes from comparison. You either end up undervaluing yourself and feeling insecure or tearing down others to feel better, which benefits no one. The only productive way to look at others is from a place of inspiration—focusing on identifying and applying constructive traits that elevate your own self-development, rather than allowing comparison to discourage you.

Confidence requires a combination of cultivating a strong mindset, surrounding yourself with the right people, and investing in personal growth. Here’s what’s helped me develop true, lasting self-assurance:

1. Cultivating a Healthy Mindset: Prioritizing mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being is fundamental. For me, that means being mindful about limiting time on social media, setting boundaries, and focusing on personal growth without the need for outside validation. I make time for my faith through prayer, and I’ve found that working out is essential not only for physical health but also for mental clarity. Exercise, for me, is a form of release—it allows me to clear my mind, process challenges, and build resilience. When I nurture my mindset, I find it much easier to make confident decisions and pursue my goals without distractions.

2. The Right Circle of People and Building a Growth-Driven Circle: Your circle matters so much. Surrounding yourself with positive, growth-oriented people who genuinely support and inspire you to grow, both personally and professionally, makes a profound difference. These people help you level up; they push you to be the best version of yourself. I look for friends and mentors with genuine, ambitious, growth-oriented mindsets. If your current circle doesn’t challenge you to grow, expand it! You can seek out inspiring online groups/communities, attend business workshops or self-development events, or find networking opportunities with like-minded people. I love being in rooms where I can learn from people more successful than me; rather than feeling insecure, I find the potential of knowledge I can acquire empowering. I now prioritize opportunities for learning and growth over social events that don’t serve my goals.

3. Investing in in Yourself: Constantly learning and expanding your skill set is so important for confidence. Whether it’s through courses, workshops, or simply watching informative videos, continuously investing in your education helps you become well-rounded and self-assured. Confidence grows when you commit to learning and staying curious. Don’t think you’ve “arrived” or learned it all; there’s always more to learn and ways to improve.

These practices—surrounding myself with uplifting people, caring for my mental and physical well-being, and always being open to learning—have been instrumental in building my confidence. Confidence is something that grows with effort, and it’s a continuous journey of investing in yourself and surrounding yourself with people who bring out the best in you.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m the founder of ELY the Label, a women’s streetwear brand that blends chic basics with edgy, sporty pieces, and I also work full-time in biotech. Balancing both careers has its challenges, but it’s incredibly rewarding. I created ELY to offer stylish, flattering game day options for women beyond oversized jerseys. Our collections feature game day fits, loungewear, streetwear, activewear, swim, and everyday basics, all designed to empower women to feel confident and bold. I’m thrilled to keep creating pieces that make women feel amazing, comfortable, and ready for any occasion—I’m truly having a blast with my company!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities that have been most impactful on my journey are resilience, continuous learning, and a supportive network.

Resilience has been essential, especially in balancing my full-time biotech career with building ELY the Label. Starting a business is full of challenges, but learning to push through setbacks and stay focused has made a huge difference. My advice? Expect ups and downs, and remember that setbacks are part of growth. Keep going, even when it feels tough—your persistence will pay off.

Continuous Learning is also key. I came from a biotech background, so stepping into fashion and business required learning entirely new skills. For those early in their journey, I’d recommend investing time in courses, attending workshops, and reading as much as you can. The more you expand your skills, the more confident and adaptable you’ll become.

Finally, having a Supportive Network has been invaluable. Surrounding myself with people who believe in me and push me to improve has given me both encouragement and insight. For anyone starting out, focus on building a network that challenges and uplifts you, whether that’s friends, mentors, or industry contacts. The right people can be your greatest asset.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was to believe in me unconditionally while making sure I was set up with every tool and resource to pursue my goals. They’ve always gone above and beyond to provide a strong foundation, empowering me to seize every opportunity and turn my ideas into reality. They’re constantly asking, “What can we do to help you?” and offering marketing or business ideas to support my journey. Knowing I have their unwavering support has given me the confidence to take big risks—like launching ELY the Label—and the drive to keep pushing forward. Their dedication and belief in my potential motivate me daily to keep growing and make them proud.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elythelabel.com
• Instagram: @elythelabel