We’re looking forward to introducing you to Chelsea Husum. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Chelsea, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, I’ve been leaning into slowing down. I’m over the constant hustle and bustle, and I’ve made it a priority to “do” less while fiercely protecting my time and energy. As a business owner, mom, wife, friend—and part-time chauffeur to all my kids’ sports—it can feel like life is running at full speed. So I’m choosing more intentional pauses: quieter weekends, skipping the networking events that drain me, and saying no to the things that feel like just another box to check.
What truly fills me up are the simple moments—slow weekends at home, being outside, walking the dog, playing games with my family. That’s where I find my joy in life right now.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Chelsea Husum—a mom, wife, entrepreneur, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and unapologetic storyteller. I founded and run American GPR & Coring, a construction company that’s been part of some of the most iconic projects in Colorado—from stadiums and airports to schools and museums. What makes us unique is that I never had formal training in this industry; I built my business from scratch in a male-dominated field, fueled by grit, humor, and a refusal to follow the “rules.”
Beyond construction, my brand is all about authenticity and empowerment. Through my book Real Vibes Only and my podcast Lip Service & Lashes, I share the messy, real side of being a hot-mess mom-preneur while also redefining what success looks like. My mission is to create spaces—whether on stage, at my retreats, or in business—where women (and men, too) feel permission to show up boldly, imperfectly, and fully human.
Right now, I’m especially excited about my upcoming retreat, The Unapologetic Era, which brings high-achieving women together for healing, growth, and unapologetic fun in the Colorado mountains.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a sweet little girl who wore the “good girl” label well. I never rocked the boat, kept quiet instead of speaking up, and spent far too long as a people pleaser. Somewhere along the way, the world tried to tell me to play smaller, polish myself up, and follow the “safe” path. But now, in my 40s, I’ve shed that version of me. I’m bold, unapologetic, and crystal clear on who I am, what I stand for, and what I deserve. And I believe I was put on this earth to share the raw, real, and sometimes messy stories I’ve lived through—to show others that vulnerability is power. My purpose is to inspire people to step into who they’re truly meant to be and stop letting the world shrink them into something less.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has been my greatest teacher. Success looks shiny, but it’s never taught me what those dark, gut-wrenching moments have. I’ve been sued for millions in a 2.5-year lawsuit that nearly broke me. I carried the secret of being assaulted in South America for 20 years before I found the courage to share it and begin to heal. I’ve fought like hell to advocate for my son as he struggled with a learning disability, watching his pain in classrooms that weren’t built for him. And there have been countless other struggles along the way.
Those seasons of suffering carved me into the woman I am today—strong as hell, unshakable, a fighter who knows her purpose. Success may celebrate me, but suffering is what shaped me.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would tell you that what really matters to me is people—my family, my friendships, my team, and the women I get to inspire through my work. They’d say I fiercely protect my energy, my time, and the people I love. They’d also tell you that I need to feel I can trust people with my whole self—that they see me, love me in the good, the bad, and the ugly, and never judge me or run off to talk behind my back. Loyalty and trust are everything to me in a friendship. More than anything, I care about creating spaces where others feel seen, safe, and free to show up as themselves—because connection, authenticity, and joy matter more to me than any version of “success” ever could.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Pretty much everything I’m doing today is planting seeds that won’t fully bloom for years. I’m building a national—eventually international—keynote speaking career, writing more books, and pouring into my podcast because I believe in it deeply. I’m also continuing to grow my construction company, helping to build the places where people live, work, and make memories across Colorado. None of it pays off overnight, but I know I’m laying the foundation for something much bigger down the road. And the truth is, I’m not doing any of these things for instant gratification. I believe in them so deeply that even if there were no “payoff” for 20+ years, I’d keep going—because they’re all part of my bigger purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chelseahusum.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseahusum/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-husum/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChelseaHusum
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lip-service-lashes/id1773118639
Image Credits
Lisa Christianson
