LEARN MORE ABOUT HEATHER
The human behind the business
Hi. It’s so lovely to have you here
I’m Heather - a 40-something based in Hampshire, UK, sharing life with my partner Mark and our two cats.
I am the founder of The PAUSE Network®, a community and business support space for self-employed people navigating perimenopause and midlife who are seeking support, understanding, and a sense of solidarity during a stage of life that can deeply affect energy, identity, and mental wellbeing, whilst exploring how their business might adapt to better reflect who they are now.
My background
Before choosing the self-employed life in 2021, I spent over twenty years working in the corporate world in roles such as project manager, office manager and team assistant.
Much of that time was spent quietly behind the scenes, supporting the structure and flow of businesses. That experience shaped my understanding of what it really takes to keep things running, beyond how it all appears from the outside.
I trained as a therapeutic coach between 2021 and 2022, and soon realised that traditional full-time coaching wasn’t quite the right fit for me. However, the training deeply shaped how I listen, ask questions, and support people through uncertainty, change, and decision-making.
What became clear was that my natural place sat somewhere between practical support and reflective conversation.
That realisation led to the creation of my Virtual Assistant business, which ran from Summer 2022 - Spring 2026 and supported a range of self-employed clients with the practical side of running their businesses.
Because I was often closely involved in the day-to-day workings of their work, our conversations naturally expanded beyond tasks and into the bigger picture. Direction, confidence, decision-making, and how their business was evolving alongside their life… it became clear that a lot of what I was offering wasn’t just practical help - I was also helping people think more clearly about their work, reconnect with their instincts, and move forward with greater confidence.
That blend of practical business experience and emotionally attuned support now underpins everything I do.
Who I work with
Many of the people who find their way to this space are women in their 40s and 50s who are self-employed and navigating the shifts that can come with perimenopause and midlife.
They are thoughtful, capable people who care deeply about their work and the people they support. But as energy, focus, and capacity begin to change, things that once felt straightforward can start to feel heavier or less clear.
Running a business while the body feels more tired and the brain a little more foggy than it used to can be deeply disorientating, especially when there is no workplace structure to absorb those changes.
Often what they are looking for is not just answers. It is validation, understanding, and a sense of solidarity with others navigating a similar stage of life.
A space to reflect, and decide how their business might evolve to better support who they are now.
And sometimes, simply having the space to pause and explore what comes next can make all the difference.
My Core Business Values
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Authenticity
I believe that the power of being our true, unapologetic, imperfect selves, is what allows us to connect on the deepest level with the right people.
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Integrity
I deeply value integrity, in work + life. I’m committed to being authentic, transparent, and respectful in all interactions.
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Compassion
I like to offer and be offered a supportive environment where mutual respect and understanding for the human being behind the business allows us to thrive.
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Inclusivity
I am committed to making sure everyone feels welcome, respected, and heard. I aim to create a space where all clients can thrive, regardless of their background or identity.