Entrepreneur and author Leah Holder Wiggins is determined to make Birmingham better for current residents and for future generations.
“I grew up in Zion City—it was a community in east Birmingham, Alabama,” she said. “My husband is Sam Wiggins, III. We have three teenaged children—two sons and a daughter ages 19, 17, and 14. They are my blessings from the Lord,” she said.
“I attended the University of Alabama and graduated from UAB’s School of Business. After graduating college, I worked as an account executive at a small PR firm. I also worked at AT&T for nearly a decade managing commercial accounts until I started having children. While staying at home with my children, I found time to pick back up my hobby of journaling and writing. During that time I started a publishing company and self-published two children’s picture books. My company has also published many other authors. In 2009, I started an insurance and financial services agency. We help people build wealth and protect the people and things that mean the most to them.”
As a lifetime resident of Birmingham, Wiggins has learned the importance of community.
“The (Birmingham) community is very close and relationships mean a lot,” she said. “That’s probably the most challenging as well. Everyone knows everyone.”
She uses those relationships to her advantage by filling needs and making an impact.
“Education and leadership development is important to me. I would love to see all children have access to great schools and resources in the Birmingham area. I enjoy the opportunity to supplement classroom curriculum to make learning more impactful and fun for students. As a Junior Achievement volunteer and with my own books I feel I am able to fill the access need,” said Wiggins who is hoping to release two more books within the next year.
Over the years, Wiggins has learned to use the available resources to make her life easier, and she encourages other mothers to do the same.
“Pray,” she said. “Seek God about setting priorities. Get everyone on the same calendar, if possible. Share information with other family members about business trips, meetings, kids’ curricular and extra-curricular activities. Utilize the support system. If you are married, share responsibilities like cooking, cleaning, and kiddy chauffeur with your husband and older children.”
She uses these same resources and skills to build her business and offers these words of wisdom to other moms looking to balance their family and pursuing their dreams: “Remember, building a business takes time. Hire good staff to help run your business. Although, women are naturally able to multitask, we can’t do it all at one time.”
To learn more about Leah Holder Wiggins, find her on Facebook or LinkedIn.
