Emily Montgomery is on a mission to make the world feel a little less lonely. As the founder of HiLU, Emily is helping people build deeper, more meaningful connections. This is done through a simple yet powerful practice: sending personally-affirming voice notes.
Her journey from law and private equity to becoming a champion of connection proves that even the most introverted among us can transform the way we relate to others.
The Inspiration Behind HiLU
For Emily, being naturally introverted sparked a curiosity about how people connect. “I became so good at adopting extroverted behaviors that people are sometimes surprised to learn I need time alone to recharge,” she shared.
This fascination led her to study connection as if it were a skill—one that could be learned, refined, and practiced.
HiLU’s philosophy centers on the power of using one’s voice to affirm and uplift others. Emily explained, “I noticed that we don’t have good words in our language to describe the practice of seeing another and feeding it back to them in a way that creates a virtuous loop of positivity and well-being.” By diving into academic research and observing the habits of empathetic people, she created a step-by-step method to improve connection through voice notes.
What actually matters in connecting with others is conveying warmth and sincerity in your voice.
Turning Introversion Into a Superpower
Being an introvert shaped Emily’s work in surprising ways. “Because I was introverted, I grew up having to ‘try hard’ at social connection,” she said. This effort turned into her superpower, as she analyzed and distilled the process of connection into actionable steps that anyone can follow.
Her ability to pick apart social dynamics has allowed her to help others who, like her, may have struggled to connect. “What actually matters in connecting with others is conveying warmth and sincerity in your voice,” she emphasized.
Lessons in Connection
Emily’s key advice? Embrace the awkward moments. “Being uncomfortable is okay. Being awkward is okay. Having to try hard is okay (and can be your superpower, too),” she shared. Her work with HiLU proves that introverts can create meaningful change by leaning into what makes them unique.
Living the Dream Life
For Emily, the perfect dream life isn’t about external achievements. It’s about inner peace. “A perfect dream life is one where I can feel wonder and joy on a regular basis,” she said. She’s found that by following her intuition and embracing the present moment, she’s already living many aspects of her dream life.
What It Means to Be an Introverted DreamHer
Being an Introverted DreamHer means using quiet strength to make a big impact. Emily’s journey is a testament to the power of introspection, sincerity, and innovation in transforming lives.
To learn more about Emily Montgomery, visit her website and on LinkedIn.
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