Engineering a Flexible Future: How Heather Eason is Revolutionizing the Utility Industry with Work-Life Balance
Heather Eason is redefining what success looks like in the traditionally rigid utility engineering sector. As the founder and CEO of Select Power Systems, she has masterfully combined technical expertise with a human-centered approach to business leadership. After two decades in corporate America, Eason took a bold step in 2017 to establish an engineering firm that not only serves electric utilities but also prioritizes workforce flexibility and work-life integration.
In an exclusive interview with Entrepreneur Loop, Eason shares her journey of building a fully remote engineering powerhouse that’s challenging industry norms. Her innovative “Archway Concept” business model has proven that technical excellence and personal fulfillment can coexist in the demanding world of utility engineering. Beyond her role at Select Power Systems, Eason’s commitment to empowering others extends to her YouTube channels, Women4Wealth and Heather’s Greenhouse, where she shares insights on wealth-building and sustainable living.
Please provide a brief introduction of yourself and your professional background.
I’m Heather Eason, an engineer-turned-entrepreneur with a passion for building more human-centered businesses. After leaving corporate America in 2017, I founded Select Power Systems, an engineering firm serving electric utilities with a fully remote, flexible workforce. My goal was to create a company that values both excellence and lifestyle, where people do great work without sacrificing balance. I’m also passionate about empowering women in wealth-building and gardening, which I share through my Women4Wealth and Heather’s Greenhouse YouTube channels.
Please tell us a bit more about your startup – what does it offer, what problem does it solve, and who is your target audience?
Select Power Systems offers specialized engineering design services for electric utilities. We help utilities modernize and maintain critical infrastructure—everything from substation design to protection and control—so they can deliver reliable, safe power in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
We solve the problem of limited internal engineering resources and the growing demand for system upgrades, especially as experienced utility engineers retire and grid modernization accelerates. Our fully remote model also allows us to quickly scale teams to meet client needs without geographic limits.
Our target audience includes utility companies, EPC firms, and grid operators who need expert support to keep their projects on schedule and compliant, especially when internal teams are stretched thin.
What inspired you to start your own business? What was the “aha” moment?
There had been a rumour a couple of year before that I was going to start my own firm. It wasn’t true, but it planted a seed. If so many people thought I would be successful, maybe I should try.
What were some of the biggest initial challenges you faced in getting your business off the ground?
How did you overcome them?
I self-funded. I didn’t have deep pockets, so cash flow was challenging.
How did you identify a gap in the market or need that your business fulfills?
I had two decades of experience that told me that working parents can be better longer term if they don’t have to constantly struggle with the guilt of missing out on their kids life. I created the company as much for myself as I did for the future employees.
What has been your approach to funding your startup?
Did you use your own savings, seek investors, crowdfund? I bootstrapped it. I do have a line of credit with the bank now.
How did you go about building your team and attracting talent in the early days?
Thankfully people enjoyed working with me, so I had people offer to work together again.
What have been some of the toughest decisions you’ve had to make as a founder?
Any stand out as pivotal? Firing a friend was the worst, but he made a horrible mistake that required termination. He understood, but it still wasn’t easy.
What have been your key strategies for growth and gaining traction/users?
I call my friends and ask them what they need help with.
How do you stand out from the competition in your space?
What sets your product/service apart?
The business if modelled on The Archway Concept. Check it out on our website https://www.selectpowersystems.com/archway/
What have been some mistakes or failures you’ve made along the way as an entrepreneur?
How did you recover and learn from them? Failure is an important part of learning. Don’t dwell on it or your could get into a depression spiral.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting out?
Don’t do it. Being an employee is much easier.
Owning a business means that you carry the financial burden of every employees’ family.
What are the most important skills someone needs to be a successful founder, in your opinion?
Persistence- Just don’t give up.
As the utility sector faces unprecedented challenges with aging infrastructure and workforce transitions, Eason’s vision for Select Power Systems demonstrates that innovation isn’t just about technical solutions—it’s about reimagining how we work. Her success proves that entrepreneurs can build thriving businesses while prioritizing human values, setting a new standard for the future of engineering consulting. Through her leadership, Eason continues to inspire a new generation of professionals who refuse to choose between career success and personal fulfillment.
