Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Long.
Susan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I learned the importance of sisterhood from Converse College, a women’s college in South Carolina. After graduating in 2004, life went on. I started a career and wrapped my life around it. The sisterhood left somewhat in the rearview mirror.
Fast forward to 2016, I had and I was itching to get back to work. I just didn’t know what work was supposed to be at that point. Before having my son, I had worked in one of the big 4 accounting firms, and while it was a great career, I wasn’t passionate about it. If I was going to take time away from my family and my kiddo I wanted it to be for something bigger than myself.
This, coupled with what I saw happening in the world around me, made for a pivotal moment. I got quiet, and I got still. I asked myself “What would I love to do if money wasn’t a question?” Probably THE question I should have asked myself in undergrad. I determined that the seed of sisterhood planted in me years ago was something I needed to pursue. I reached out to a few people I really trusted.
I also reached out to Dr. Melissa Walker, one of the best history professors, particularly women’s history professors of all time, for a list of books on women’s history. I went back to the basics. What did this sisterhood look like in the past? How was it successful and how did it fail? Is the sisterhood of today just a repeat of the late 1800’s early 1900’s? If I wanted to add to this idea of sisterhood, what did that look like and how would I do that?
From this came the podcast: How She Got Here, Conversations with Everyday Extraordinary Women. It is a platform for everyday extraordinary women to share their stories. It is my belief that every woman has something inside her only she can do. The more we share the stories of other women who have already discovered their thing, the more it inspires, encourages, and empowers other women to do the same.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, I don’t think anything worth having or creating is going to be easy though. At the end of the day, I just have to do it. I have to decide it is worth doing and make it happen. I have to make that choice every day! It is truly a privilege to do what I do. It is my heart and soul, and I absolutely love it. It doesn’t mean it’s always easy though.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
How She Got Here, Conversations with Everyday Extraordinary Women, is a podcast. My goal is to encourage women to dig deep and find their passion. Then to take it to the next level and pursue that passion.
I have found that that is one of the hardest parts. The pursuit. My hope is that by sharing the stories of other women who have already done it, my listeners will determine that they too can do it. It is not easy work, being vulnerable with yourself and shedding the ideas of who you think you should be. The freedom on the other side of it is so worth it.
One of my favorite sayings is “girls compete, women empower.” That is the freedom on the other side. You don’t feel like you have to compete anymore. You are in your own skin. You can truly be happy for other women around you doing their thing and succeeding.
The sisterhood of women will be better for it if we empower each other and stop competing. That is what I want my listeners to find. That freedom.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes. I think Dallas is full of amazing and inspiring women. I often work out of a coffee shop in East Dallas banging away on my keyboard with no less than 12 other women doing the exact same thing. That is empowering. That is inspiring. Women supporting women. Whether we realize it or not.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.howshegothere.com
- Email: susan@howshegothere.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howshegothere/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howshegothere/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/howshegothere
Image Credit:
https://www.castlesandcloudsphotography.com (Megan Moates)
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
