Meet Julie Diekman

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

Julie, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

I’ve always been a glass-half-full kind of person, and I get that from my mom. They say you mirror what you see, and growing up, I spent a lot of time with her. My dad, a pilot, was often away, leaving my mom and four kids to navigate life together. She always seemed to have it together, showing us that anything was possible.

That positive outlook on life became even more essential when, at 18, I found myself with a newborn and living on my own. It would have been easy to slip into a dark place given the circumstances, but that was never an option for me. My only choice was to figure out how to make the best of it and keep moving forward. I landed a job I loved and had the support of my family to keep going.

Over the years, my optimism grew into one of my greatest strengths—not in a “Pollyanna” way, but as something that motivated others. I realized I had a passion for mentoring people, helping them see hard times as stepping stones to something greater. I encouraged them to take control of their lives, pursue what they want, and rise to challenges because they will only make them stronger. I also started a gratitude practice, one I still do today, because I believe there is always something to be grateful for—even when it’s hard to see.

Now, as a business owner, I’ve experienced all the ups and downs, the highs and lows—sometimes not just day to day, but hour by hour. But through it all, I keep learning and trying new things because I know, deep down, that I’ll be successful if I channel my energy in the right places. Every day, I start fresh, thinking of new ways to impact clients and prospects, because it’s important to me to leave the world better than I found it. And, as always, I make sure to write down what I’m grateful for every morning.

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’ve spent the last 15 years in product strategy and development, and to truly excel in that field, I learned the importance of getting close to the customers. Understanding what interests and motivates them is key to building exceptional products. It was during this time that my curiosity expanded to understanding the entire customer journey with the businesses I worked for. I became fascinated by the questions: What were they searching for? Who did they talk to? What were they thinking? How did they behave throughout the entire journey?

That’s when I realized that crafting better interactions and experiences at every touchpoint made a huge difference for the customer. When the experience is great for them, they’re more likely to stick around and become loyal advocates, raving about the business to everyone they know. This is where I found my excitement—helping businesses create experiences that not only delight but also build long-term relationships with their customers.

That’s why I created my business: to help companies be more successful by creating exceptional customer experiences that keep customers coming back, and turning them into raving fans.

I’m always looking for new ways to impact my clients and potential clients. While I’m constantly brainstorming fresh ideas, right now I’m offering a free video series every Tuesday. In each video, I share 2 actionable tips and 1 thing to avoid when it comes to customer experience. My goal is to provide tangible, real-world ideas that business owners can implement right away to enhance their customers’ experience.

You can sign up for these emails by visiting my website at www.limitlessideation.com/hiddenrevenue.

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

1. Be 1% Better Every Day
This mindset has been a cornerstone of my personal and professional growth. By focusing on small, incremental improvements, I’ve been able to build momentum and continuously develop my skills. Whether it’s refining a strategy, learning from setbacks, or improving customer interactions, striving to be just 1% better every day has had a compound effect over time, leading to significant growth and success.

2. Relationship Building
Building strong, genuine relationships has been crucial in both my personal and professional life. Whether with clients, team members, or mentors, establishing trust and understanding has allowed me to collaborate effectively and create environments where people feel valued and heard. It’s through these relationships that I’ve gained valuable insights into customers’ needs, which has been vital in designing impactful customer experiences.

3. How Can I Make Their Life Better?
This simple but powerful question has guided my approach to both product strategy and business. By constantly focusing on how I can improve the lives of my clients and customers, I’ve been able to stay aligned with their needs and deliver solutions that matter. This mindset has shaped the way I create experiences, develop products, and foster loyalty. Ultimately, it’s about making a meaningful impact in the lives of others, and that is what keeps me motivated every day.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Having a great mentor has been essential to my growth, and I believe everyone should have one. If you have a mentor and don’t feel their influence is helping you, it might be time to find a new one.

I’ve always had a mentor, often multiple ones throughout my career. I’ve found success in seeking mentors who help me excel not only in the role I currently hold but also in the role I aspire to have one day. Most of my mentorships have been informal, meaning we didn’t follow a structured agenda. Instead, I’d bring forward the questions I had, and the conversation would evolve from there. Two mentors, in particular, stand out to me.

The first mentor was someone I sought out when I wanted to transition into a marketing position. These roles were difficult to land, especially without the “right” credentials. My mentor took the time to understand my strengths, helped me navigate the expectations of the role, and gave me valuable guidance. Six months later, I landed the position.

The second mentor was my direct manager for six years, and I learned so much from her simply by observing her leadership style. She provided ongoing feedback on my work, communication, and negotiation skills, and taught me how to influence decision-makers effectively. I was always open to her feedback, even when it stung, because I knew it was necessary for my growth.

Mentors are invaluable in helping you improve and reach your potential. But the key is ensuring you have the right one, someone who challenges you and helps you grow, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.limitlessideation.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliediekman/

Image Credits

Julie Diekman