Founder of Girlz Who Sell on Teaching DEI Through Children’s Books

Summary

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Living The Red Life – Episode Summary

Episode: Founder of Girlz Who Sell on Teaching DEI Through Children’s Books

Host: Rudy Mawer
Guest: Heidi Solomon Orlick (Founder, Girlz Who Sell)
Date: March 13, 2026

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Overview

In this episode, Rudy Mawer sits down with Heidi Solomon Orlick, the dynamic founder of Girlz Who Sell, for a candid conversation on legacy, female empowerment in sales, and harnessing children’s literature to teach diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at its most impressionable roots. Heidi shares her compelling personal journey, lessons on reinvention after age 60, and the powerful mission she’s embraced: sparking DEI conversations in homes and classrooms through her children's book series.

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Key Themes & Insights

1. Heidi’s Origin Story and Career Trajectory

• Adoption and Early Influences
  • Heidi’s journey starts with her adoption at just five days old, shaping her sense of purpose early on.

    "It was my first pivotal moment when I was adopted at five days old. And so that definitely changed the entire course of my life..." (02:08)

• Ambitions & Accidental Sales Career
  • Originally drawn to journalism and advertising, Heidi spent 10 years in LA's ad scene before burning out at 30 and, through a chance encounter, landing an unplanned, transformative role as VP of Sales at a telemarketing company.

    "I had no idea what I was doing, but nobody did at that time. We were all making it up. And, that was the beginning of a 35 year career." (04:35)

2. Entrepreneurship After Corporate Leadership

• Pivot to Full-Time Entrepreneurship
  • Exiting corporate leadership in her early 60s—"I didn't choose to pivot out. I was pushed out nicely" (06:10)—Heidi leaned into entrepreneurship, founding Girlz Who Sell and launching her DEI-focused children's book series.
• On Reinvention Over Retirement
  • Heidi frames her 60s not as retirement, but "rewirement":

    "I looked at turning 60, not as retirement. ... I like to call it rewirement, because I viewed it as the opportunity to reinvent myself." (10:07)

3. Using Children’s Books as a Platform for DEI

• Responsibility to Teach DEI
  • With increasing rollback of DEI programs, Heidi feels a deep responsibility to use children's books to keep these conversations alive:

    "I think it’s not only my legacy and my calling to publish children’s books around diversity, equity, and inclusion, but it’s my responsibility to facilitate these kinds of conversations in the classroom and at home." (07:09)

• Overview of Book Titles and Lessons
  • "I Have a Voice (A Book of Listening)" (4–9 yrs): Focuses on honoring your inner voice and encourages children to "use their voice for good in the world."
    • Main character Victoria teams up with Victor the Voice Monster.
    • Message resonates with adults as much as kids.
  • "Just a Dot (I Think Not): A Book of Connection": About Dottie, whose mission is to connect the world and build community, pushing boundaries to represent everyone—"if you’re going to do a book on diversity, then everybody has to be represented." (09:09)
  • "More Than Pretty: A Book of Inner Beauty": Empowers young girls to value themselves for who they are inside, not just outward appearances.

    "At the end of the day, what it’s really about is who you are inside, should follow your heart." (09:41)

4. Practical Advice on Career Change & Following Your Passion

• How to Know When to Exit Corporate Life
  • "When you have those Sundays and you’re just not happy or the company that you’re working for doesn’t align with your values...that’s the time [to leave]." (11:31)
  • Advocates for a strategic, staged transition by building a side hustle before going all-in:

    "I started a side hustle which was Girlz Who Sell actually in parallel to my corporate career...by the time I really moved into full time entrepreneurship, I had set myself up great, pretty well, but it’s not easy. And it’s scary." (12:59)

• On Ageism and Reinvention
  • Acknowledges the challenge and risks, especially for women over 60.

    "If you’re of a certain age and even a woman of a certain age, it’s hard to [find] a job in today’s job market." (13:26)

5. Entrepreneurial Mindset for All Generations

• Legacy Over Labels
  • Emphasizes that fulfillment can be found in or out of corporate, as long as one remains authentic and committed to leaving the world better.

    "Never compromise your authenticity and still use your voice for good in the world." (14:29)

• Rapid Change in Youth Aspirations
  • Observes how today’s youth aspire to be influencers—"Now everyone’s a Hollywood star without the Hollywood." (16:32)
  • Celebrates the ability for young people to be authentically themselves.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Destiny and Agency:

  "Maybe I was the right person at the right time. Maybe I was the angel that came into his life exactly at the right moment." (05:09)

• On Modern Retirement:

  "I like to call it rewirement, because I viewed it as reinvent, as the opportunity to reinvent myself." (10:07)

• On Children’s Books as a Lifelong Lesson:

  "I’m convinced that this book is not just for kids because I’ve had so many parents that have come up and said oh, my gosh, I wish I had this book when I was younger." (08:15)

• On Building a Next-Generation Mindset:

  "The thing that I will say is never compromise your authenticity and still use your voice for good in the world." (14:29)

• Empowering Advice:

  "Find your superpower...you can do anything that you put your mind to if you have a plan in place and you’re intentional about it and it’s something that you’re passionate about." (18:19) "Introverted, analytic...those are your superpowers. And you just need to discover who you are and then learn how to use those unique traits..." (19:27)

• On Lifelong Learning:

  "It’s never too late and you’re never too old to follow your dreams...just always be learning." (21:15)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Heidi’s Adoption & Life Story: 01:37 – 02:27
• Career Beginnings and Transition into Sales: 02:50 – 05:12
• Leaving Corporate & Embracing Entrepreneurship: 06:10 – 07:43
• Children’s Books and DEI Mission: 07:43 – 10:07
• Advice on Retirement vs. Reinvention: 10:07 – 11:31
• How to Transition out of Corporate Life Strategically: 11:31 – 13:11
• Navigating Ageism & Life After 60: 13:26 – 14:29
• Youth Aspirations and The Influence Economy: 15:31 – 16:32
• Final Advice to Listeners on Empowerment and Sales: 18:19 – 21:15
• On Feeling Young at Heart: 21:29 – 22:18
• How to Find and Follow Heidi: 22:25 – 22:47

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Resources & Connect

• Find Heidi Solomon Orlick:
  • LinkedIn: [Heidi Solomon-Orlick]
  • Instagram/Facebook: Search “Heidi Solomon Orlick”

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This episode offers a rich account of reinvention, the vital role of authentic leadership, and the enduring power of using your voice—no matter your age or career stage—to build a more inclusive world.

Transcript

[A]

You know, in today's world, with so many diversity, equity, and inclusion programs getting rolled back and history being rewritten, I think it's not only my legacy and my, you know, calling to publish children's books around diversity, equity, and inclusion, but it's my responsibility.

[B]

So what's a good inspirational quote or anything that you may want to add for folks that are listening?

[A]

Yeah, I think. My name is Rudy Moore, host of Living the Red Life podcast, and I'm

[B]

here to chat change the way you

[A]

see your life in your earpiece every single week. If you're ready to start living the red life, ditch the blue pill.

[B]

Take the red pill.

[A]

Join me in Wonderland and change your life.

[B]

Welcome back to another episode of the Living youg Legacy podcast, the Red Life Edition. Joining me today is Heidi Sullivan Orlick. She's a woman in power because she champions diversity. She is also the founder of Girls who Sell. Girls with a Z.

[A]

Is that Girls with a Z?

[B]

And she's creating opportunities for underrepresented women and who want to thrive in professional sales. Welcome to the Red Life.

[A]

Thank you for having me.

[B]

You are glowing. Something tells me you just finished filming your episode for Women in Power.

[A]

I did, and it was amazing. I really had fun. I was a little nervous coming in, but you know What? We were BFFs by the time it was done, so it was all good. I shared my life story, so, you know, she knows secrets about me that most people don't.

[B]

There it is. I like that trailer hook. Give us a bit of a preview. What is some of these secrets that folks will learn about you?

[A]

I walk them through my origin story and some of the pivotal moments throughout my childhood that influenced, you know, some of the decisions that I made along the way of how I want to show up in the world and what's important to me from a legacy perspective. So we walk through, you know, ever. You know, starting at five days old. That was pretty early.

[B]

Wow. One of your first memories.

[A]

Well, not memories, but it was my first pivotal moment when I was adopted at five days old. And so that definitely changed the entire course of my life and then walked us all the way through to. Well, I'm 66 years old, so that's

[B]

a great number, by the way.

[A]

That was a long journey.

[B]

Oh, man, it would have been great

[A]

if this were in between.

[B]

Oh, man, this would have been great. We're Friday the 13th and you're six to six. Oh, man. Good omen.

[A]

Wouldn't that be awesome?

[B]

Where do you want to begin? I. I've got my show notes that you come from sales. What do you want to talk about? Your life lessons, your sales journey. How do you want to begin the sales script, ma'?

[A]

Am? Yeah. So I actually did not start my career in sales like so many other women because sales is so male dominated. I fell into sales, but before that I wanted to be a journalist and a reporter. I spent 10 years in advertising and marketing until I crashed and burned at 30.

[B]

And advertising and marketing? Print, I'm sure. Well, like actual ads. TV.

[A]

Yeah, ads. TVs. I wasn't in them. I work for an ad agency.

[B]

Corre.

[A]

Correct. And the good old days. The good old days. But that's what we're talking about. The good old days of three martini lunches. And you know, I was doing a lot of travel at the time and living in la. Really deep into the LA scene. And after three engagements and you know, really after three. Three engagement.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

But then I met my lovely husband. We've been married too for 32 years.

[B]

Right on.

[A]

But you know, burned out and had no idea. Exited the ad agency business with no plan B, had no idea what I was going to do and bumped into a friend of mine that I had met in college. And he was like. I was like, do you still have that telemarketing company? He was like, yeah, I do. He said, what's going on in your life? And I said, well, you know, 30, unmarried, you know, have no job, life

[B]

is great, I want to get into telemarketing everything.

[A]

And you know, and he was like, well, why don't you be in my office tomorrow morning. I'd love you to hire you as my VP of sales.

[B]

Right on.

[A]

And I had no idea what I was doing, but nobody did at that time. We were all making it up. And, and that was the beginning of a 35 year career.

[B]

This person that gave this job opportunity, male, female, individual.

[A]

It was a male. And when he offered me the job, it was a $14 million company. Now it's a multi billion dollar company.

[B]

Cool. The I'm leading here. Do you think this individual was an angel? Was it a divine person that was at the right place at the right time for you to essentially make the choice that you did?

[A]

Maybe I was the right person at the right time. There you go.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

What a twist. Maybe I was the angel that came into his life exactly at the right moment. No, I mean, listen, we had known each other for years, but I hadn't seen him. And the reason I say that is because I joke with him even today that he gave me a career and telemarketing, or what we call business process outsourcing, and I set him up with his wife. So I actually think he got the better end of the deal. But. But it has been a lucrative 35 year career for me until I was aged out in my mid-60s. But yeah, you know, I think sometimes just the universe works in strange and wonderful ways. And, and the fact that he was there at some random restaurant exactly at that right moment, is it just meant

[B]

to be right on? What's your day to day like today? Are you rolling out of bed and you know, on zoom calls, Are you taking phone calls? What's your day to day hustle today?

[A]

Well, you know, now I no longer in corporate. Right. So I pivoted out of my executive leadership role in sales a couple of years ago at 63. I didn't choose to pivot out. I was pushed out nicely, you know, But I've since leaned into full time entrepreneurship. So I'm running my company, Girls who Sell. I published a couple of books, but my real passion and life's mission right now, outside of Girls who Sell, is publishing a series of children's books. So I have two that are published and another one on the way and I'll have six out by the end of next year.

[B]

Amazing. What's the overall theme to these children's books?

[A]

I'm glad you asked.

[B]

I'm glad I asked as well,

[A]

you know, so, you know, in today's world, you know, with so many diversity, equity and inclusion programs getting rolled back and history being rewritten, I think it's not only my legacy and my calling to publish children's books around diversity, equity and inclusion, but it's my responsibility to facilitate these kinds of conversations in the classroom and at home.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And so the first book that I published is called I have a Voice, a book of listening. And it's geared towards children ages 4 to 9 and teaches them how to identify, listen to and honor their inner voice and encourages them to use their voice for good in the world. So created a character, Victoria, who's the primary character, and she goes off on wonderful adventures with Victor the voice monster, Victor the Voice, always with her. But it also talks about how sometimes we don't listen to that inner voice and even though we know how to listen and that's when we can get into trouble. And I'm convinced that this book is not just for kids because I've had so many parents that have come up and said oh, my gosh, I wish I had this book when I was younger. Yeah. My next book is called Just a Dot, I think, not a book of connection. And I created a character called Dottie, and her life's mission is to connect the world. And it's all about the power of community and how important it is to build bridges and to facilitate conversations across diverse communities, for sure. And so the book definitely pushes the boundaries a little bit, because if you're going to do a book on diversity, then everybody has to be represented.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

And they are. So. Yeah. And then my third book is called More Than Pretty, A Book of Inner Beauty. And it's really teaching young girls that while, you know, there's so much pressure, especially for young girls to be pretty and look beautiful and. And what it teaches them is at the end of the day, what it's really about is who you are inside, should follow your heart.

[B]

I'm sorry to interrupt, but for folks that are listening, that are retired or under 60s, you're.

[A]

You're.

[B]

This is a whole new life now. This is your. You're not stopping, you're not slowing down. You're publishing books, you're getting these divine downloads, and you're helping the next generation and that the generation after that. What do you tell folks that are sitting on their butts going, I'm 60, I'm retired.

[A]

Yeah, I'm going to watch TV and eat bonbons. You know, I looked at turning 60, not as retirement. I honestly, this is. My husband would say, oh, yeah, this is her version of retirement. I like to call it rewirement, because I viewed it as reinvent, as the opportunity to reinvent myself. And I never considered traditional retirement. I think exiting out of corporate has given me an opportunity to truly follow my life's mission and to build a legacy that I wouldn't have had an opportunity to do had I stayed in the corporate world. And I just feel like the time is now. I have a sense of urgency. I mean, listen, this is why I'm here. What appealed to me about this is that the show and what you guys are doing is all about legacy. And to me, that's what giving back at this time in my life is what it's all about.

[B]

So, yeah, for folks that are listening or. And. Or watching that are in the corporate funk and they're hearing that little voice, well, one day I'll get out of here. How do they know when it's enough? When do they. When do they should know it's time to exit Corporate.

[A]

Well, when you have those Sunday and you're just not happy or the company that you're working for doesn't align with your values and your mission, you feel like you're living someone else's script and that you're not honoring your authentic self. I think that's the time if you can listen. You know, it takes a lot to exit out of corporate. There are some benefits, like a paycheck, 401ks, you know, insurance. Like not everybody is blessed or fortunate enough to be able to take that financial risk or just risk. I was, you know, I feel like I was very fortunate that I was able to make that move. The one thing I will say is that I didn't just jump out of corporate. Right. Like I was, I was very, you know, prescriptive in the way that I, that I went about it, in that I started a side hustle which was girls who sell actually in parallel to my corporate career. So I was able to maintain my salary and my benefits. And since I funded my own business, which a lot of people have to do, I was able to, you know, kind of reinvest some of the money that like my sales commissions and things into launching my business. So by the time, you know, I really moved into full time entrepreneurship, I had set myself up great, pretty well, but it's not easy. Oh, and it's scary.

[B]

I was gonna say. It's a lot of emotion there. I'm so happy that you methodically transitioned out as opposed to just impulsively saying I quit and just basing it all emotion.

[A]

I'm not happy and I'm out.

[B]

And then when you cool off and you're like, hell, did I just do now I can't even pull up my emails, I can't even pull up with my contacts.

[A]

Right. And then, and then, you know, if you're, you know, ageism unfortunately is alive and well. And so if you're of a certain age and even a woman of a certain age, it's hard to a job in today's job market. Right. You know, it's hard. And so yeah, I think you have to create a personal board of directors. And I think you need to really take a look at your finances and decide what you can and cannot do. And you'll know when the time is right to make that move. And you know what, some people may work in corporate their entire life and not enjoy into entrepreneurship and enjoy it and, and that's fine.

[B]

If you're into the bliss, good for them, it works.

[A]

And you're happy.

[B]

When I was in corporate, I was like, yeah, man, enjoy that cubicle. Nice gray. It's nice and perfect for it. But that person does have a family, bills. There's generational wealth there. That, that, that dad is in it for life.

[A]

Yeah. You know, and it's, it's okay, you know, there, this is no judgment zone. Right. Like, it's, it's, you know, but you'll know when it's for you. And whether it's staying in corporate or moving into entrepreneurship. The thing that I will say is never compromise your authenticity and still use your voice for good in the world. So if you stay in corporate, I would encourage people to still get involved in nonprofit or to do things that, you know, that allow them to leave the world a better place than how they found it.

[B]

That or you go out with a bang and your corporate job happens to be PlayStation and you happen to be their influencer and you just impulsively quit

[A]

and you, and you just, and you quit wealthy and you leave that for the next generation.

[B]

Yeah, that part of my dream.

[A]

But I would say that's probably a pretty small demographic.

[B]

Tiny guy wearing socks. Yeah.

[A]

Although today, you know, when you ask kids what they want to be, I just did a. I was a judge. I work with a nonprofit called nifty, the National Federation for Teaching Entrepreneurship. And I was a judge for their entrepreneurship Young Entrepreneurs competition. These were middle school students and they were brilliant. I mean, they are creating businesses and products and services that are changing the world. I was completely, completely blown away. But, you know, those are the kinds of things that you can get involved in. Mentor, mentoring, generation. But when you ask a lot of these kids, you know, well, what do you want to do when you grow up? It's not like, well, I want to be, I don't know, a doctor, a lawyer, teacher, president. I want to be an influencer. Right. I want to be a tick tock, you know, YouTube influencer. It's like, oh, I guess that's the thing.

[B]

Yeah. But back in the day, they were called Errol Fling and like celebrities and Halloween Hollywood stars. Now everyone's a Hollywood star without the Hollywood. And that's what's brilliant about it. You know what I mean?

[A]

I, I think it's, I think it's awesome. And you know, I think that having that kind of access to actually just be your authentic self like that I think is phenomenal. I mean, I, I wish I had that kind of opportunity. My life would probably be completely different had I had that opportunity at a younger Age.

[B]

Well, it's funny you say that. I'm pretty sure your younger self is operating at this reality somewhere in some other dimension. So it's the fact that you said it, now it's actually happening.

[A]

I love that. Have you ever read the book Bridget A Bridge Across Forever?

[B]

No, I have not.

[A]

Oh, it's. But it's all about that.

[B]

Oh, right on.

[A]

And I do. I do. We. I am a huge believer that there are parallel universes that are working so and happening at the same time. So, you know, in some other universe. Stay at home, Mom. And in some other universe, I'm a TikTok influencer.

[B]

Yeah. And in some other universe, there's no such thing as time, just grab gravity.

[A]

And you know what? I'm super happy what I'm doing in this universe and hope to leave the world a better place for the next generation. So that's what it's all about.

[B]

Well, I'm so happy that I was part of your force field and I was. I played a role in your main character, in your protagonist journey. Yeah. My last question. How are you arming your clients? These. These girls that are selling, what are you telling them to put on their armor? What's. What's a good inspirational quote or anything that you may want to add for folks that are listening?

[A]

Yeah. I think find your superpower is it, you know, when. And that anything is possible. I know that sounds cliche, right? Like, oh, well, you can do anything you put your mind to, but I truly believe that you can do anything that you put your mind to if you have a plan in place and you're intentional about it and it's something that you're passionate about. So, I mean, what I tell, you know, our students as we mentor them or is. Is, you know, one. We're trying to position sales as a career choice for them so they can achieve economic independence and. But the big thing is when they're like, ah, sales seems cool. You know, I think I could probably do that, but I. I'm not sure I have the personality for it. Right. And I tell them, like, you know, well, what. What does that mean to you? Like, well, you're going to be extroverted in the, you know, you know, the center of attention. And. And I'm like, no, you know, introverted, analytic. You know, those are your. Yeah, those are your superpowers. And you just need to discover who you are and then learn how to use those unique traits to be successful in your life. And if you just honor that and follow it, then you can do whatever you put your mind to.

[B]

I always encourage folks to, you know, take a sales class and know the guff or, or get on stage and be vulnerable and learn how to perform a monologue or a pantomime and just be like, the world is always in play, like you are in a vessel. Have fun.

[A]

Yeah, have fun. And sales is a life skill. I say it all the time. If you don't, you know, you can come up with a business idea even if you're in corporate. You need to know how to sell, right. Whether it's a product or service, whether you're trying to sell a budget, whether you're trying to convince your 3 year old to, you know, go to bed at their bedtime hour to do their homework.

[B]

Right on.

[A]

It is sales. Right. And so I think it's always negotiating. It's always negotiating. And so, and, and you know, I think always negotiating. And the thing that I always tell our girls, and it's part of my children's books as well, is, you know, ABC for me is like, always be curious and really commit to being a lifelong learner. When I was let go of my job at 63, I spun out. I had no idea what it meant to be a full time entrepreneur. I certainly hadn't, you know, written a children's book. I hadn't written my, my business book. I hadn't done any of that. So I had to, to learn.

[B]

And one door closes. You, you blow up a window and

[A]

make a whole blow up window. That is, that is a true statement. That is a true statement. But I think, you know, it's never too late and you're never too old to follow your dreams. And so. Yeah. So just always be learning. So.

[B]

66 in the exterior. What's, what's, how old are you in the heart?

[A]

I would say I feel like I'm in my 40s.

[B]

Really?

[A]

All right. Yeah, I would, I would say I feel like I'm in my 40s because, I mean, knock on when I'm, I'm healthy, which is, which is good. But in my 30s, I was still figuring it out. Right. Like I told you, I crashed and burned at 30, you know, and shifted careers at 40. I felt like I had some wisdom that I could bring into my, my career and my life. And so. Yeah, so right on. I, I don't know. I, I just, I think that age is just a number and that you define what it is for, for you. So. Yeah.

[B]

Very cool. How can folks, how can folks quickly find you the moment they they stop listening to this podcast. What's the quickest way people can learn more about you?

[A]

Quickest way is to go on LinkedIn and they go to. Can just put in Heidi Solomon, Dash Orlick, and I'll pop right up. I'm really accessible through LinkedIn, and if they prefer, you know, Facebook or Instagram, you just can look up Heidi Solomon Orlick, and you'll find me.

[B]

Right on. Oh, gosh, Heidi, thank you for your time and energy. I hope you had an amazing day. It's been quite the journey. Yeah. That concludes another episode of the Living youg Legacy podcast, the Red Life Edition. That's Heidi. I'm Ray. Good night.