Meet Heather Gibson

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

Heather, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

When I first became an affiliate for pawTree, a pet food and supplement company, I experienced rapid success and rose through the ranks quickly, earning several awards. I also earned my first incentive trip, a cruise to the Bahamas. Instead of feeling proud, I struggled with imposter syndrome, questioning if I truly deserved it all. I didn’t want to come down to the gathering with the rest of the company the night before boarding the cruise ship. I felt that somehow they would see me and wonder why I was there, To work through these feelings, I started listening to uplifting podcasts, stayed focused on my work despite my doubts, and attended retreats that helped me connect with other leaders. These experiences gradually shifted my mindset, helping me see myself as deserving and capable of leadership. I have gone on to earn 4 more incentive trips including one to Bali and I am earning close to a 6 figure income. Overcoming imposter syndrome wasn’t easy, but it has been a valuable part of my journey in pawTree. My favorite part about gaining my self confidence has been the way it has changed my relationships with others like my husband and children. My kids have seen me overcome hard things and now have the belief that they can do it too.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Heather Gibson, and for over a decade, I’ve been dedicated to breeding and raising emotional support, therapy, and service animals. My journey began as a foster parent, alongside my husband, Jacob. Through fostering, we saw firsthand the powerful role animals could play in helping children heal. As we worked to support our foster and adoptive children through their trauma, we watched them transform and form bonds that weren’t possible before. The presence of animals brought them comfort, helped reduce anxiety, and gave them a sense of stability as they dealt with PTSD. This experience opened my eyes to the profound impact animals can have, inspiring me to pursue a path where I could help more families experience this kind of healing. Along the way, I also became a certified pet nutrition coach and animal aromatherapy specialist, allowing me to incorporate holistic practices into my work and care for animals in the most comprehensive way possible.

What excites me most is watching animals I’ve raised go on to support individuals and families, bringing comfort and joy. I own Big Hearted Breeders, a community built on kindness and education, where I help other breeders enhance their practices while nurturing respect for the animals. Recently, I’ve been focusing on expanding this community by organizing events like our Breeder Retreat – a unique experience set in the beautiful Utah mountains, where breeders can learn, connect, and grow their businesses.

I’ve also partnered with pawTree, a pet wellness company, which has been transformative in my life and the lives of my animals. This partnership aligns with my values by emphasizing quality nutrition and well-being for pets. Rising through the ranks with pawTree helped me overcome my imposter syndrome and step into my role as a leader, inspiring others in the community. Whether it’s through education, direct support, or the retreats, I’m passionate about helping others elevate their breeding practices and truly enjoy the journey.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities stand out as truly impactful in my journey: resilience, a commitment to continuous learning, and empathy. Each of these has shaped my approach to business, my work with animals, and my connection with people in profound ways.

Resilience: Building anything is TOUGH. Resilience is a necessity to success. From managing the demands of fostering to growing a breeding business, resilience helped me keep moving forward, even when things felt impossible. My advice? Realize that every action is a win. You learn what works or you learn what doesn’t work. Every day is an opportunity for growth. Surround yourself with positive people and put positive things into your mind. They’ll help you build the grit needed for long-term success.

Commitment to Continuous Learning: Whether it’s animal nutrition, therapy training, or business practices, I’ve found that the willingness to keep learning has been crucial. Staying up-to-date and exploring new areas has allowed me to bring more value to my clients and animals. For anyone starting out, I’d say don’t be afraid to dive deep into learning. Take courses, listen to podcasts, attend workshops – find ways to continually grow and expand.

Empathy: At the heart of my work is empathy, both for the animals and the people I serve. Empathy helps me see the best in everyone. It helps me keep positive about what I am doing and where I am going. Empathy helps me connect with families so I can help give them what they need and support them on their journey, not just sell them a puppy. For those early in their journey, practice listening without judgment, and remember that empathy builds trust and strong relationships.

By focusing on these qualities, anyone can create a strong foundation for their journey, one that’s both meaningful and sustainable.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, I’m always open to partnering with individuals or organizations that share a commitment to enhancing the lives of animals and supporting pet owners, breeders, and families. I’m particularly interested in collaborating with:

Pet Professionals: As a certified pet nutrition coach, I’m passionate about promoting holistic health for animals. I’d love to connect with experts and companies who share this focus on wellness to co-create resources, products, or programs that help pets thrive.

Breeders Committed to Ethical Practices: I run Big Hearted Breeders, a community centered on kindness, education, and high standards for animal care. I’m always looking to collaborate with breeders who are dedicated to ethical practices and are interested in events like our Breeder Retreats and Virtual Summits, where we share insights, support each other, and raise the bar in the industry.

Individuals Passionate About Pet Health: If you’re looking to uplevel your own pet’s health while also helping others do the same, I’d love to connect with you. By partnering with me, you’ll have the opportunity to positively impact pets’ lives while also building an income through sharing quality products and wellness resources. It’s a rewarding way to support animal health and join a community of like-minded individuals.

If you share these values and are interested in partnering, I’d love to connect. You can reach me via email, [email protected], or through my website’s contact form at https://www.bigheartedbreeders.com/ Let’s work together to create positive, lasting change in the lives of animals and the people who love them.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Mollie Shutt, Tyler McCulloch

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