The free newsletter making HR less lonely

The best HR advice comes from those in the trenches. That’s what this is: real-world HR insights delivered in a newsletter from Hebba Youssef, a Chief People Officer who’s been there. Practical, real strategies with a dash of humor. Because HR shouldn’t be thankless—and you shouldn’t be alone in it.

Sign Up Free

5 life-changing lessons from
5 consecutive summers in NYC🗽

1. Avoid lifestyle creep as long as you can. My fancy Soho apartment really hit different this summer—even that felt like a downgrade after living in my new house. It was a good reminder: just because you can afford the upgrade doesn’t mean you should. The truth is, I could’ve lived this lifestyle five years ago. But instead, I chose to stay in tiny apartments for three years, then nomad for two more to save money—so moments like these don’t stress me out. Because once you upgrade… there’s no turning back.

2. Your career is not incremental but rather a sum of a few moments. Every time I’ve experienced a massive level-up in my career, it’s been because of a micro moment that ended up having a big impact later on—a key intro, a job interview, a networking event... The best way to have more career-defining moments? Increase your surface area of smart, ambitious people. The density of that in NYC is truly unparalleled. And with how competitive the world has become, these moments aren’t bonuses—they’re table stakes for success. That’s why I’ve decided to invest in a second place in NYC and start coming every month—to tap into that energy even more.

3. Two hard things done mid = 0 results. I used to think I could balance two big priorities—growing my business and creating content. But I learned the hard way: when I split my energy, I do both pretty mid… and burn out. This summer, I spent three weeks focused solely on my business: restructuring the team, rethinking the brand and strategy, and building industry connections. I stopped posting content entirely. Now, I can return to content creation with full clarity and intention. Because when it comes to hard, high-leverage things: half-assing both equals zero progress. Doing them one at a time? That’s how you get exponential results.

4. It’s not about how many people you know but rather how you know them. After nearly a decade of networking, I know a lot of people in my space. But this summer, I learned the hard way: just knowing someone doesn’t mean they’re in your corner. Real relationships—the kind you can actually lean on—take effort. You have to show up: invite them into rooms you have access to, connect them with people they’d value, send the text, buy the coffee, reach out when you’re in town. It’s better to nurture a handful of impactful connections than to spread yourself thin across dozens of weak ties. Invest in the few key people in your career or field who could genuinely open doors for you—and show up for them, too.

5. Being too nice is a flaw. Having strong boundaries is a form of self-respect. I used to reply to every message and always include everyone—until I realized I was spreading myself too thin and diluting my value. If I don’t respect my own time and energy, how can I expect others to? That was one of the toughest lessons I learned this summer. As my business grows, so does the value of my time—and I’m learning to be more intentional about who I share it with. If someone flakes or doesn’t prioritize me, I don’t chase or re-engage. Not out of ego, but out of self-respect. Early in my career, quantity mattered. Persistence, low ego, saying yes to everything—that season served me. But now? I know exactly what I want. It’s about focus. And when you take yourself seriously, the right people do too.

_{ily nyc, back next month!}

_{ENTREPRENEURSHIP & VENTURE CAPITAL}

🛠️ Build Gen She With Me

_SPONSORED

THIS is the next Silicon Valley…

And I vlogged the entire journey for you!👇