Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonja Montiel and Hilary Bilbrey. Their team’s story is shared below:
In March 2020, right before the world shut down for the 2020 pandemic, cofounders Hilary Bilbrey and Sonja Montiel met at an entrepreneurial class. After a couple of classes, Sonja found Hilary gravitating when she was presenting on the topic of self-discovery. Sonja had no choice but to ask Hilary out for their “first date.” It was a lunch that instantly bonded them together because they each decided to show up authentically with the intention of building a trusting relationship. Within weeks, they created The DH Effect podcast and YouTube channel. Months later, after receiving positive reviews on the content of their show, they launched a membership program and began consulting for schools, companies and organizations around the topics of trust and belonging. The DH Effect is on a mission to help individuals and groups decide to thrive.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Since Hilary and Sonja were used to running their own businesses, it was a messy beginning to figure out how to effectively run The DH Effect as a partnership. They had great synergy when it came to strategies and discussions, but they also knew that they needed to look more closely at the contributions that each made. They invested serious time analyzing their strengths and talents using the Kolbe Assessment and read the book “Traction” by Gino Wickman to organize their roles. During this time, there was the messy middle where ideas were inspiring, but the deliverables were taking too long. However, through patience, practice and investigating what each brought to the table as a partner, it became very clear on who would take on the roles that converted vision into implementation. With this clarity, each fully trusted the other to thrive within her talents and skills. Their momentum continues to accelerate!
As you know, we’re big fans of The Decided Heart Effect. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
As we said earlier, our mission is to help individuals and organizations thrive. Especially in the wake of the pandemic, everyone is reevaluating their purpose and happiness on a meta level. It has caused many companies to lose amazing talent because they are just done with being a cog in a wheel. We deliver keynotes, workshops and full out customized end-to-end culture transformation programs the move groups from personal awareness/accountability into high-trust relationships and finally to a celebration of true belonging. Organizations with high trust and belonging have a higher rate of retention, profitability, efficiency, innovation and overall employee wellness. Along with our third partner, Dr. Katya Armistead, we love meeting with companies to discuss how we can help them achieve their fullest potential.
For individual women looking to find a true sense of self, trust and belonging, we have a membership opportunity called “Friends with Benefits.” Yes, we know how it sounds, but we are friends, and there are loads of benefits. We teach masterclasses monthly that help us intentionally show up as our best selves, as well as pour into others in meaningful ways. Our topics cover shame, boundary setting, companioning, self-care and so much more. We also have a Monday Morning Energy Infuser weekly that helps us fill ourselves and get ready for the week. Additionally, we have pop up, online and in-person events to foster true belonging among these phenomenal women. More info is available here: https://www.thedheffect.
Finally, we have a brand-new book we have been so proud to be a part of called Step into Your Brilliant Purpose that has earned International Best Seller for 40 different best-selling categories! Seventeen different authors have come together to give stories and tools for finding their true purpose in the world. We are all meant to shine!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thedheffect.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decided_heart_effect
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DecidedHeartEffect
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLznsYmBlX_lkM1YZ1t1G7g
