Show notes
In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen talk to Emily Bissen, founder of Blue Heron Business Partners, whose work sits at the intersection of business opportunity strategy and human design. Emily, a self-described 4/1 manifesting generator, explains how discovering her own human design gave language to skills she'd always had: reading people, spotting opportunities, and making the right connections at the right time.The conversation gets into the tension between prescribed entrepreneurial playbooks and trusting a more personalized approach, including the permission it takes to set boundaries, walk away from misaligned work, and build a business around what actually matters.Emily Bissen is a Business Opportunity Strategist and Super Connector who helps talented, driven business owners stop spinning their wheels and start moving. Using each client's unique Human Design, she creates strategies built for how they're wired rather than forcing someone else's playbook.Find Emily on LinkedIn or visit her at blueheronbusinesspartners.com.Kat is the Founder of kat&co, a Creative Operations Consultant, and the Co-Owner and Director of Operations at Benchwork Fabrication. She helps interior designers and creatives turn ideas into streamlined, sustainable businesses. With a background in psychology and deep experience in creative business operations, she’s known for navigating the intersection of creativity and systems with both strategy and empathy. Join her newsletter, The kat&co Download.Ellen Hockley is a three-time entrepreneur, small business consultant, community builder, and the founder of Ellen Hockley Consulting and SAGE Women. She guides female founders to build intuitive, values-driven businesses aligned with the life they want for themselves and their families. Join her Substack newsletter, The Quiet Wins.00:00 Podcast Welcome01:22 Meet Emily Beeson02:00 Human Design Basics04:25 Retreat Spark Story05:39 Using Design With Clients08:37 Starting Her Business11:05 Ditching Others Playbooks14:25 Offers And Containers18:04 Time Freedom With Kids20:28 Teachers To Entrepreneurs22:53 Ditching the Playbook23:48 Permission to Choose26:20 Boundaries and Availability28:28 Permission to Quit29:01 Human Design Deep Dive30:29 Energy and Grounding34:50 Decision Making Styles40:35 Oldest Daughter Patterns42:56 Building a Support Village44:25 Get Curious Closing46:00 Where to Find Emily46:45 Podcast Sign Off