Why the Smartest Entrepreneurs Are Choosing Community Over AI | Heather Simpson

Everyone wants to talk about AI, but my guest this week would rather talk about people. Heather Simpson spent years in real estate building brokerages and personal brands for agents before making a hard pivot to build something for women entrepreneurs specifically. Today she runs Her Connection Hub, a coworking and community space in the Pacific Northwest, and she is expanding into Northern California. We got into why she thinks too many people are outsourcing their thinking, the gap she saw between hustle culture and the "make a million from the beach" crowd, and what actually separates the women who win from the ones who stall out. We also had a real conversation about sacrifice, about what it costs a mother to go after something bigger, and about how she is adapting a physical business in a challenging 2026 economy. Heather uses AI for systems, never for her voice, and honestly I think that is where the smart operators are landing. If you are a builder who feels wired for more, this one is for you.

About Heather:

Heather Simpson is a business strategist, community builder, and the founder of Her Connection Hub, a female-focused coworking community in Bellingham, Washington. Simpson began offering monthly Connection Breakfasts in 2018, and they proved to be the catalyst for something much bigger. The events resonated deeply with attendees, who then voiced their desire for a physical coworking space, and so Simpson turned that dream into a reality with Her Connection Hub, which opened to the public in 2021. Before building for entrepreneurs, Heather spent years in real estate helping agents develop their brands and helping launch brokerages. She is also the founder of She Leads Me, a company devoted to supporting women on their individual journeys in their lives, careers, and businesses. She hosts the podcast Shatter This, a show for leaders, founders, and builders who are done outsourcing their thinking and ready to create what actually lasts. Her first book, Shattering Glass, is coming soon.

Connect with Heather Simpson:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weshatterglass/

Website: https://shatteringglass.com

Her Connection Hub: http://herconnectionhub.com

Her Connection Hub Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herconnectionhub/

Shatter This Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shatter-this-with-heather-simpson/id1866931224

Heather's book, Shattering Glass, is coming soon. Stay updated at https://shatteringglass.com

About Justin:

Justin