The first time I saw Hayden I am sure she didn’t even know the light that she was emitting. Interestingly enough, after my date with her, I learned how resilient she actually has been which to me added even more validity and understanding to her presence. If someone can get through so much and still have the impact that Hayden has on the world, it’s something special. Back to the story though, it was my birthday and all I remember is standing outside waiting for my table and this blonde bombshell in a bandage style red dress and designer heels was standing outside on the phone. I remember thinking “who is this WOMAN?”. She exuded a confidence and commanded the space she was in, and we ended up discussing during our date exactly how intimidating that can be without knowing who she is.
A few months later, I came across her instagram, I hit that follow button immediately and she’s probably never getting rid of me now. Hayden has already made it to the blog discussing the topic on the male gaze after I saw her in an interview on a Instagram Live. Just to recap, she was eating a popsicle while having everything intelligent to say, and the men in the room (although unintentional I am sure) just couldn’t acknowledge the importance of her message because they were so focused on her sex appeal. The question still remains why a powerful and intelligent woman can’t possess all the qualities and still have deserved acknowledgment and respect.
But here is the deal with Hayden Merryn… she waits for no invitation. Her work speaks for itself, her drive and authenticity is a magnet, and she does all this despite what life has thrown at her as a young woman entrepreneur and mother.
I was extremely grateful to have her on a date so let’s get to it….
Hayden is the founder and CEO of HVH Media Marketing. When launching her second company, she explained how the initial relationship with her partner was impacted by the competitive nature of women and society. They were put in a situation that ultimately brought their talents together in the form of Twenty One North which is a digital consulting agency that is essentially a sister of the marketing company. She has went from local to global campaigns, collaborating with known personalities like James Charles, Nikita Dragon, Jeffree Star, Kim Kardashian and that is no where close to the excitement that she has been a part of within the marketing industry.
Hayden built her own influence and was able to create connections that snowballed into a greater presence. I asked her about social currency and how she feels about its impact on society…
It’s a blessing and a curse and a necessary evil. It’s a great touch point but it can be a negative as well. In a lot of ways it’s played a really positive role in current political movements because it’s shedding light in a way that we weren’t able to do before. She talked about how lack of personal touch could have been way more detrimental if we didn’t have some sort of human interaction through social media.
Tell me about your morning routine?
My routine rotates. It’s based around my son.
Hayden explained how she has had to modify her schedule and routine slightly due to Covid , work, co-parenting with the new distance learning. I think a lot of parents are feeling these same pressures so it was relatable.
I am a person that likes to get up around 530 and go to the gym. I will get my morning cardio and weight lifting in and…have coffee time. Then I get started on anything and everything that is going to put me ahead of the curb for the day. Checking my calendar, checking with my business and my assistant, getting all those first emails out so that when they start their day I am already a leg up. Then I get into the actual work. I try and use lunch for personal time and I really do work late. Eventually I will tell myself to shut it down. No matter what I am usually back up at the same time.
What is a day of self-care for you?
I do this. I love being surrounded by people that have a similar mindset and positive energy. I love skin care. I am big into facials and body scrubs…so SPA. Wrap me in something, massage my face….I would have a daiquiri, cheeses, wine and sit somewhere beautiful and invest in my own knowledge and…just be.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I would literally tell her “Girl believe in yourself”. She was trying so hard to do the right thing for everyone else and not the right thing for herself and she felt the need to apologize for wanting those things. People teach you that it’s selfish to want to build your own empire and that “self care” is selfish. You should never ever apologize for saying no. Don’t let someone take credit for taking your idea and be comfortable. I would tell her that taking that risk is worth it because there is always a way to get it done.
Hayden explained how she was essentially just dealing. She was fine with being fine and one day she woke up and said “no…this doesn’t work”. It took losing everything, breaking down, and rising from the ashes to get back to her happy place.
I just want to tell her “you’ll be okay”
What do you love most about yourself?
I am very resilient and I didn’t always use to be. I was a soft person that got taken advantage of for a really long time. I had to be broken to really heal myself to a place to become resilient. It comes from a place of not crying over spilled milk. Life happens and I feel like I had stop casting negative energy.
Hayden shared with me how she has experienced the loss of her boss in a plane crash, betrayal from friends and abandonment. She was able to spin it into positivity which is a superpower that empowered her and translates into her lifestyle, personal life and business.
If you had to leave this earth tomorrow, what is the one thing you would do?
I would just make sure that my son knew that I love him. I would tell every single person to remind him of who his mother was. I want my son to know from people how much I impacted them so that he could feel I had value and I could teach him something and live on through those interactions.
What does women empowerment mean to you?
I am not big on tearing women down.
She went on to explain the importance of women feeling accepted, loved, appropriate, valued, and how she doesn’t want women to feel like what they do has to be dictated by society. She explained her own personal experience in how the societal norm to be in competition with other women affects even her current relationship. Her attitude was so positive and humbly refreshing as far as how she handles dealing with a competitive environment.
I’d rather spend my time on telling women how great they are. Sometimes I see other women that don’t have what I have, but I feel like the sooner we heal the pieces of ourselves, we can admire each other. Jealousy is one of those emotions that get masked as anger or hatred and I will openly acknowledge it. I will usually address it in an honest way that heals something in myself. And its okay!
She explained how even in romantic relationships, if we just spoke our honest truths and feelings we could essentially save ourselves so much of the unnecessary. Who agrees?! … and it really can be that simple but we have to be vulnerable because it’s scary to put ourselves out there.
If I didn’t have …I would go insane
I really think if I didn’t have my cell phone I would go crazy. It’s a touch point for me.
She told me a story about how all of her belongings were stolen in San Fransisco and the one thing that she was grateful to have survived the burglary was her cellphone because the rest of it was more replaceable in terms of necessity.
My cellphone shoots everything out. Aside from all the work I have on my computers, it is my lifeline. It’s part of being an entrepreneur having that virtual access.
Have you encountered any issues as a woman in the workplace/business environment?
My biggest challenge is how being a beautiful woman in business, in a male dominated industry puts you in a position where people will request your time under the guise of interest in business. They use it as a segue to potentially flirt and create romantic interest. It is potentially the most devaluing and dehumanizing thing on the planet. It makes it so I miss some good leads because I can’t qualify them as legitimate. You’re trying to sift through the noise. It is very disheartening.
Hypersexualized energy is a challenge so I ignored some leads that ended up biting me. I believe its something we need to address.
What would you tell someone that wants to quit?
I always ask people why? Do you have a legitimate reason that you want to quit? Maybe you should. If it’s not making you happy anymore than why the f%$# are you doing it. But if you’re meeting adversity for the first time…come at it from a completely different approach. Ask someone you wouldn’t ask, go somewhere you have never been before…see what it stirs up.
And who says you can’t stop today!? You don’t like it?… bad job, bad relationship…cut it off. I always talk about whether it’s a challenge or its actually draining you. If you can’t justify why you’re doing it anymore, get rid of it.
Tell me about one woman that inspires you…
I love my network. I have this team of women that I love and respect and they are my foundations. I am surrounded by powerhouses.
What does LOVE mean to you?
This is usually my favorite question to ask my girl dates and it was heartfelt seeing Hayden’s face literally light up when I asked her this. (Thank god for zoom calls to see the genuine energy in all her responses)
I read this meme somewhere that said “Do not believe that love is just butterflies, love is calm” it’s the most relatable thing I ever read.
She talked about how her recent experience with love has enhanced her by providing an ultimate balance for her. She explained how her standards became so high the older she became and chatted to me about her reservations. And then….she got swept up and we all know how amazing that feels.
I thoroughly enjoyed her energy.
Follow Hayden on IG, You Tube, Twitter, Tik Tok in which she has a massive following for the fun and inspirational content she posts beyond business. But before any of that the BOSS in her is what deserves the most acknowledgment.
