Hello friendly faces! It’s that time of the week! We’re back with a new Chicago North Shore Moms spotlight brought to you in part by Mary Gifford of Gifford Law.
Heather Redisch is up to something truly life-changing and she means business. In her new venture, Adulting101 Masterclass, the bright Highland Park mom of three who has forged a 25-year career in the recruiting space, is bundling all that extraordinary experience into classes that focus on professional education and empowerment expertly curated for Gen Z grads. Heather explains, ” I’ve witnessed firsthand the widening gap in social, emotional, and financial literacy among Gen Z. It’s concerning to see graduates from prestigious institutions lacking basic life skills: Handling tough conversations; understanding paycheck deductions; navigating workplace challenges; and building professional networks.” With a focus on easing the transition from student into adulthood, Heather leverages her extensive experience to provide essential tools, resources, and community support to equip young adults with confidence and independence.
In Chicago North Shore Moms’ exclusive interview with Heather, learn more about the entrepreneur’s passion for supporting the Gen Z community, details about what to expect from the program and a mantra we should all remember. Welcome Heather!
Want to get started immediately? Sign your Gen Z’er up for the upcoming Adulting101 Masterclass workshop happening April 28th and May 12th, 2024 at 3pm CST.
Hi Heather! Please introduce yourself. Where are you from originally? What city do you live in now? What brought you here?
Hi! My name is Heather Redisch, I was born and raised in Highland Park and moved back here with my husband (Detroit native) to raise our three girls- ages 14, 12 and 9 years old.
You’re a mama! Tell us about your children and feel free to brag away!
I am the proudest mama! I was convinced I was going to be a boy mom and instead I’ve been front row to sisterhood. My girls are all unbelievably different. My oldest is a tender-hearted teenager, eager to drive, and great with little kids. My middle is our timekeeper, organizer and shines in figure skating and dance. My youngest, our comedienne, thrills us in soccer, basketball and softball. Each daughter uniquely enriches our family, making it whole.
What are one or two fun or interesting facts to know about you?
My husband and I met 20 years ago when I worked at his company as a recruiter. He loves bagels more than anyone I know so on his first birthday that we worked together, I had a dozen New York Ess-a-Bagels shipped to him, and then I think he got the hint. We worked together for a year and the day after I resigned we started dating. 9th months later were engaged.
Your mantra?
Be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
What are your favorite North Shore places, spaces and eats to frequent?
I’m a regular (have been since a teenager) at Country Kitchen for Wednesday lunches with my best friend. Twice a week, I enjoy a Reggie Salad and a Decaf Cinnamon Honey Oat Milk Latte from Hometown, and I rarely miss a week stopping for peanut butter yogurt with rainbow sprinkles from Loves Yogurt with my girls. Washington Gardens is our go-to for family dinners or date nights. You’ll often see me working at Cafe Central or Max’s Deli in Highland Park, grabbing coffee at The Little French Guy, or attending Jill Borega’s Toned Yoga class every Thursday in Lake Bluff. Supporting local shops like Enaz, Style Shack, Central for me, and B Friends, Ross’s, JBF, Wild Willow and Glamour Girlz for my girls, is important to me.
What gets you through a tough day?
A McDonald’s Diet Coke, my Cavapoos Harry and Gerty, a Smartless Podcast, 10 minutes with Headspace, a vinyasa flow or Peloton run, and undistracted time with friends (wine always preferred).
Let’s get down to business. Congratulations on the recent launch of your new business, Adulting101 Masterclass! What is your focus here?
Thank you! My mission with Adulting101 Masterclass is to ease the transition from college to adulthood for graduates by providing tools, resources, and community support, thereby boosting their self-confidence and independence for life’s important decisions.
Your background in recruiting gives you a unique perspective on the challenges young adults face as they transition into the workforce. How do you leverage your experience to tailor the content of your masterclass to meet the specific needs of recent graduates?
My career encompasses recruiting, talent management and people operations. In these roles, I’ve been involved in the full spectrum of the employment process—from identifying and interviewing candidates to onboarding and tracking their success. I’ve also coached managers on engaging and communicating with Gen Z employees to maintain motivation and performance.
What made you realize the need for a comprehensive resource like this for recent college grads?
For nearly 25 years, I’ve worked closely with college graduates as an interviewer, coach, mentor, and manager. I’ve witnessed firsthand the widening gap in social, emotional, and financial literacy among Gen Z. It’s concerning to see graduates from prestigious institutions lacking basic life skills: Handling tough conversations; understanding paycheck deductions; navigating workplace challenges; and building professional networks. The rise of technology and the impacts of COVID-19 have only intensified their reliance on digital communication and parental support, often at the cost of developing crucial independent life skills.
Inspired by a coaching session with a bright graduate from the University of Wisconsin, I decided it was time to act. I drafted a curriculum, launched a website (https://www.adulting101masterclass.com/), and laid the groundwork for a community aimed at bridging this gap. And so, the journey began.
Often meeting students around their graduation—one of their life’s pivotal moments—I developed the masterclass based on their frequent interview, onboarding, and employment questions. Manager feedback further shaped the curriculum, focusing on effective communication and professional etiquette.
How do you ensure that your masterclass covers essential areas that recent grads need to navigate successfully?
Absolutely, adulting covers a broad spectrum, and there’s always more to explore. My aim was to make the class impactful yet manageable, ensuring attendees could immediately apply key insights from the two-hour session. While young adults often prioritize interviewing, career development, and financial literacy, parents and employers value communication skills and professional etiquette, but mental health remains a universal concern. Participants receive a material packet, so there’s no need for extensive note-taking. My webinar program only begins the journey. Our community offers weekly office hours and access to experts in finance, real estate, mental health and more, catering to the diverse needs of Gen Z.
Building a community around Adulting101 Masterclass sounds like a fantastic idea for ongoing support and learning. How you plan to foster this community?
The community is organized into cohorts of up to 20 members to maximize each person’s experience. Limiting group size prevents repetitive questions that might lessen the value for long-standing members. I’ll host weekly office hours for any questions and conduct surveys to tailor content to the group’s interests—be it interview techniques, networking, investment advice, or work-life balance strategies. Alongside peer support, I’ll leverage my network to offer expert insights in finance, real estate, mental health, and more.
After 12 months, cohorts will join a larger pool of young professionals who’ve completed the program, enhancing networking and mentorship opportunities. Support continues with ongoing office hours and expert sessions, ensuring evolving needs are met.
As a mom and a business owner, how do you balance the demands of running Adulting101 Masterclass and The Talent Maven with your personal life? Any advice to moms out there?
My week has two must-dos: a post-drop-off workout and Wednesday lunch with a best friend, plus another lunch with a friend or my mom during the week. It might sound cliché, but treating personal time like essential appointments fosters consistency and enjoyment.
How do you envision the business evolving and expanding its impact on young adults across the country?
In 5 years, I envision expanding each Adulting101 topic into dedicated, deep-dive courses, alongside self-paced options for diverse learning preferences. I anticipate hosting in-person meetups across the U.S. to foster genuine connections, encourage networking, and support personal growth through real-world interactions. Additionally, launching a podcast next year is on the horizon, featuring diverse post-college journeys to offer insights and lessons learned. Ultimately, my goal is for Adulting101 participants to not only succeed in life but also to inspire and lead within our community, creating a lasting cycle of empowerment.
Before starting Adulting101 Masterclass you’ve worked in, and own, a recruiting company – The Talent Maven. Can you tell us a bit more about that company and are you still running it?
Yes, The Talent Maven specializes in executive search and talent management consulting, partnering with various companies to pinpoint top talent, develop internal processes, and scale teams. Alongside my husband, I ensure my expertise for Adulting101 stays sharp by keeping abreast of job market trends and the evolving landscape of human capital management.
What has been the hardest part of being a small business owner?
Balancing the pursuit of new customers with my passion for educating young adults is a constant challenge as a business owner. When you are a business owner you must be always thinking strategically about how to attract new customers, keep the business relevant and of course be profitable!
What has been the most rewarding aspect of owning your own business?
Helping others achieve milestones like accepting new jobs or making first investments fills me with joy and highlights the reward in my work. Equally, I aim to inspire my daughters through my example as a working mom, teaching them that hard work, dedication, and consistency can achieve anything. Their pride in The Talent Maven and Adulting101 Masterclass means the world to me.
Let’s get started on this journey! Tell our audience all about the incredible workshops you have coming up.
Awesome! Our first webinar in March was a hit, with more sessions scheduled for April 28th and May 12th at 3pm CST. We chose Sundays based on feedback from grads, ensuring it fits their schedule. Flexible scheduling is available for groups upon request, and all participants gain a free month’s access to our community. Join me and sign up here.
Interested in joining the community? Submit your resume or LinkedIn profile through the website for a quick chat, after which you’ll be assigned to a cohort.
Is there anything else you’d like us to know about yourself or your business?
I founded this business driven by my deep concern for young adults facing tough transitions. To me, every participant is like family, deserving of unwavering support and the tools to succeed. I understand the emotional challenges and conflicts parents face; my goal is to ease these tensions, guide your children, and boost their confidence.
About our Meet of Mom Sponsor
A very heartfelt thank you to CNSMoms’ Meet a Mom sponsor, Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm (wills and trusts). Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities! Learn more about Mary by visiting her Meet a Mom spotlight here! Contact Mary directly here: [email protected].
