Creating Success as a Highly Sensitive Person: Insights from Heather Dominick

In the fast-paced world of business, where competition is intense and expectations are sky-high, a new kind of entrepreneur is making waves – those who possess a heightened sensitivity and deep awareness of the world around them. Known as Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs), these individuals bring a unique set of qualities that can be both a challenge and a gift in the business world.

One person who has embraced her sensitivity and used it to achieve incredible success is Heather Dominick. As the founder of Business Miracles and the creator of The Highly Sensitive Leadership Training Programs, Heather has dedicated her career to empowering fellow HSPs to excel in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Today, we have the privilege of delving into Heather's career journey, gaining insights into her experiences, and uncovering valuable advice for entrepreneurs.

1. Many entrepreneurs struggle with the constant demands and high-pressure environment of running a business. As an HSP, how have you learned to thrive in this fast-paced world while staying true to your sensitive nature?

The first thing I did was adjust my expectations and how I measured my success. What led me to learn I was a highly sensitive person was bringing my business across the million-dollar mark for the first time while also having my lowest net year. I was exhausted, miserable, and cash-poor. Once learning I was an HSP this gave me a new priorities lens. Business success for me wasn’t about the numbers on a spreadsheet, but more about the difference I was making for others while also being able to provide for myself the lifestyle I desire and need in order to be able to continue to make a difference for others.

From there, it was about setting up marketing and operation systems and structures to ensure that I would be able to create success on my terms.

2. What unique challenges have you encountered as an HSP in traditionally male-dominated spaces like entrepreneurship and business leadership, and how have you overcome them?

Well, I no longer attend big, loud training events in freezing hotel basement ballrooms to start! I’ve developed such a deep connection to my own intuition that I am able to fairly instantaneously assess if something I am reading or hearing applies to me and how I choose to run and grow my business. I’ve carved out my own space that includes teaching others to do the same. There isn’t just one way of creating business success so I don’t buy into the male-dominated hype that tends to deliver that message.

3. In your experience, how can companies and organizations create more inclusive and supportive environments for HSPs to flourish and contribute their unique talents?

This is a real passion of mine. It requires leaders to be willing to acknowledge that not everyone operates with the same set of strengths. It also requires leadership that is willing to innovate and value human experience as part of what determines bottom-line business success.

4. Could you share a specific instance or decision in your entrepreneurial journey where your heightened intuition and empathy as an HSP proved to be a game-changer?

There are so many! A top one that comes to mind is that I stopped traveling to receive my own business training in 2019 which included ending a five-year mentor relationship. I sensed my time, energy and resources were going to be needed elsewhere even though I didn’t yet know what that was. Of course, a few months later the global pandemic of 2020 hit. Because I had already cleared my schedule and freed up my focus I was able to pour everything I had into keeping the global Business Miracles community of HSP Entrepreneurs and Leaders emotionally strong, mentally steady and financially stable through this world crisis.

5. Networking and self-promotion can be challenging for many HSPs due to their introverted nature. What strategies have you found effective in building relationships and marketing your business while honouring your need for downtime and self-care?

I will always remember going to my first business networking event. I was literally standing outside the door terrified and sweating bullets! I was just grateful I was wearing a dark jacket. Unfortunately, I didn’t know then that I was an HSP, but what I’ve learned since, and is now a foundational principle of what I teach in the Highly Sensitive Leadership Training Programs, is the importance of proactively managing my nervous system BEFORE potentially high-stimulating experiences. So, that is first and foremost. From there, as HSPs we actually thrive in intimate connections so networking for an HSP is not about meeting as many people as you can, but instead meeting and deeply connecting with the right people, which I also teach how to do in my training programs. And, finally, to create your schedule in a way that honours your own circadian rhythm so that when you are in social situations you are operating at your best and from your HSP strengths which affords greater results with a lot less effort.

6. Many HSPs struggle with the constant influx of stimuli and information in today's digital age. How do you navigate this overwhelming environment while maintaining focus and productivity in your business?

This is really where the developed skill of intuition comes into play. When trained to operate optimally as a high-functioning HSP you no longer operate from limiting beliefs such as you have to consume everything, or you’ll be missing out. You learn to use your intuition as a fine-tuned instrument that guides you through a smooth process of discernment based on what you know you need and when you need it. This allows for a lot less effort to connect with the information you need when you most need it as well as to make keen choices regarding where you invest your time in service to the results you want to create. Along the way, you develop the strong ability to set boundaries based on your unique needs and to have the difficult conversations needed to enforce those boundaries without slipping into HSP shadows such as people-pleasing and over-responsibility.