Summary
Glad to have you back to another episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast!
Caleb Tally, Jeff Amerine, and Matthew Ward are joined by Heather Nelson, President, and Co-Founder of Seal Solar. Seal Solar is a solar design and installation firm out of North Little Rock, Arkansas. Understanding banking, taking mental health seriously, and using storytelling to educate and market have played a significant role in Heather’s Midas touch success stories.
Thanks for tuning in!
Shownotes
(0:54) Introducing Heather Nelson of Seal Solar
(1:35) From Banking to Entrepreneurship
(7:01) Seal Solar Origin
(10:00) Importance of Mental Health
(12:33) Storytelling as an Entrepreneur
(22:24) Being Comfortable with Uncertainty
(25:02) Imposter Syndrome
(28:34) Casting Vision for Seal Solar
(32:24) Why Solar Energy?
(38:23) Advice to Younger Self
(40:46) Wrap Up
Links
Quotes
“You really need a strong banking relationship or you’re just not gonna make it.” (2:00) Heather Nelson
“[Entrepreneurship] will highlight and show you all these gifts, passions, and things about yourself and your abilities that you never knew… but it will also show you the deepest, darkest, ugliest things about yourself. That you’ve spent a lot of time shoving into every crevice and corner saying, Lord Jesus, please don’t let anybody ever see that or know that about me. (10:15) Heather Nelson
“We’ve got a world that says you have to be a subject matter expert on everything at 22, and that’s just the biggest lie ever.” (23:10) Heather Nelson
“It’s not about whether the utilities are bad and solar’s good or solar’s bad and utilities are good… The thing is there’s this amazing technology and how do we work together to utilize this great technology?” (33:18) Heather Nelson
The Unexpected Road to Entrepreneurship
After attending the University of Arkansas, Heather Nelson took a job with an entrepreneur that instilled levels of drive and determination that would permeate her success story. When a career switch led her to banking, a class she slept through in college and a skill set she was acutely aware of lacking, she was shocked to be hired by such a well-renowned organization. This again was the result of the grit she had learned while working as an entrepreneur.
Although Heather was climbing the ladder of success in banking, she wanted something more exciting. Then, a regular lunch with a friend opened the door back into the entrepreneurial world. Heather would soon partner with Josh Davenport on a solar entrepreneurial journey that would lead to her being the president and CO-founder and josh the co-founder and CEO of Seal Solar.
“We ended up being a really great match where he had this initial idea and he kinda saw where it could go and then I kind of built the business up underneath him.” (9:10)
Mental Health and Entrepreneurship
“[Entrepreneurship] will highlight and show you all these gifts, passions, and things about yourself and your abilities that you never knew… but it will also show you the deepest, darkest, ugliest things about yourself. That you’ve spent a lot of time shoving into every crevice and corner saying, Lord Jesus, please don’t let anybody ever see that or know that about me. (10:15)
Heather firmly believes that being an entrepreneur is one of the clearest gauges of one’s state of mental health. There seems to be something about being on a small team, risking a lot, and not having the financial security or stability of a large corporation that tends to bring out the best and worst individuals. Having an honest assessment of your health and taking the care and responsibility to seek help are both things she is passionate about. She even opened p to us about hers and Josh’s personal experiences in seeking counseling and that they wish it was spoken about even more.
There is nowhere to hide who you are and your motives in entrepreneurship; therefore, taking great care to be in a healthy mental state will be mutually beneficial for your personal and professional life.
Storytelling and Branding
Storytelling may not be the first word to come to mind when thinking about solar energy… But that is one of the critical ways Heather expands every business she touches. Being able to communicate the vision behind a brand is just as important as the company’s function. She attributes this technique to her natural abilities to be a talker and people persona, but honing in on the skill of creating an engaging and authentic narrative is how you can begin to get sponsors, employees, and clients.
She uses storytelling for not only marketing but also education. There are still many questions, strong opinions, and a lack of knowledge surrounding the utility sector. Therefore, how she communicates the vision of Seal Solar is to build not only awareness but also transparency to gain loyalty and trust.
“Story is so ingrained in us. No matter what your religions or beliefs, everything you believe has been passed down to you via story.” (17:21)
Being Comfortable with Uncertainty
How can one not just survive but thrive in the gray area of uncertainty? Heather believes being curious and having the humility to say when you don’t know something are the two key ingredients. Along with personal growth in those areas, she has made it an objective to instill that in her team.
“We’ve got a world that says you have to be a subject matter expert on everything at 22, and that’s just the biggest lie ever.” (23:10)
To Heather, being brave is to be honest with fears, insecurities, and confusion. Multiplying this level of authenticity and honesty has been paramount in helping people on her team keep from burnout or imposter syndrome. Jeff added in agreement that thinking of ourselves as an imposter may only worsen as you climb up the ladder and build your resume. With that in mind, you have to fight off those lies no matter your ranking now. They both come to agree that the underlying fear that it can bring, rather than causing you to freeze and shut down, could be a force for good to help you take the risk and grind out the hard work.
Casting Vision for Seal Solar
“I think the future is about educating more, getting even better at storytelling, and getting it in the masses.” (32:10)
Heather would like to see Seal Solar’s future focus on these two main concepts: security and control. By understanding the clients’ desires out of their company, those two stood out among the rest. As Seal Solar continues to grow, the marketing and education will focus on letting the consumer know how their products will meet their desire for a steady and secure energy provider and installer.
Why Solar?
“It’s not about whether the utilities are bad and solar’s good or solar’s bad and utilities are good… The thing is there’s this amazing technology and how do we work together to utilize this great technology?” (33:18)
From events such as Texas’s power grid breakdown last year to Elon Musk’s trial run in Puerto Rico, the question is not whether we should use solar but how we can use it. To have access to an energy source that the whole world can work with is just one of the benefits that Heather hits on.
The politics behind solar power triggering polarizing views on climate change is not of any interest to Heather. She is proving time and time again how solar energy makes economic sense.
“We can argue climate change all day long, but we just don’t even go there. It’s really about, [the question of] do you love technology?” (36:19)
We were lucky to have Heather, the Arkansas Business Executive of the year, on our show, modeling honesty, creativity, and joy in her entrepreneurial journey. We know we will see great things from her and Seal Solar in the future.
Keep up with others who are authentically and passionately making their dreams happen while making a difference. We hope these stories inspire you as they do us! Continue to stay tuned to the Startup Junkies podcast for more on how we are building entrepreneurial ecosystems in Northwest Arkansas, Canada, and South America through providing no-cost, one-on-one consulting, events, workshops, and programs; and access to capital and talent. Check out our website for more on what we do and what we are about!
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