I come from a long line of entrepreneurs. All bright, accomplished self starters. As a kid listening to balance sheets, profit margins wasn’t such a thrill. In fact it was sometimes pain staking. Little did I know that I absorbed this and later in life I applied this invaluable business model to help launch my own businesses. I consider myself a serial entrepreneur who has taken multiple risks.
I trained originally as a clinical psychologist and soon after I graduated I learned very quickly I would make a poor employee. In fact I think I failed as an employee. I knew that I wanted to start my own business.
It was hugely risky as I had no network, no true business sense and many people around me projected their own fears as to whether this was too much of a challenge and could I make it out there in a highly competitive world. I thought to myself who else can be a better advocate for myself than me?
If I believed the doubters or naysayers I would spend my life being risk averse and never trying. I hung out my shingle and ran a very successful practice treating adults for what I would call challenges in daily living. Anxiety, relationship difficulties, depression, work related stress etc. From scratch I built a network of referring physicians and within 16 months I had a wait list. It was a very rewarding experience helping and supporting others to develop new coping skills.
After about 10 years I decided to switch gears and transfer my skill set to the corporate arena helping executives on Bay and Wall Street become effective leaders. We know the ability to drive results is all about influencing through others and interpersonal skills and the right leadership attributes are paramount.
Once again I was advised that this pivot was going to be a challenge as I would be working with some of the toughest business challenges facing corporations. I thought what is the worse that can happen? I could fail!
Over the years I have learned the critical importance of self advocacy. It is now over 18 years that I have run my own leadership consulting practice and have written over 100 articles many of which have been published in Forbes and other mediums. As well I have been on many podcasts, TV appearances etc.
2021 was an extraordinary year for me. I published a book on leadership entitled 20 Effective Habits for Mastery At Work https://www.amazon.com/20-Effective-Habits-Mastery-Work/dp/1777589401 When I told colleagues I was about to write a book. They said “Cindy what if you don’t sell a single copy?” In 2023 my book won a finalist award! Taking risks is all about pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone and challenging yourself. So I have had the privileged opportunity to present and speak on key excerpts from my book on what defines great leaders. I have met along the way very talented leaders in almost every sector.
And now this takes me to my next special moment this past year! Of all crazy things I launched a home based custom cookie business. I am on Instagram @bite.me.cookie This endeavour could not be further from my leadership business and provides a different kind of creative outlet. A year ago I knew nothing about how to create, design and promote a cookie business let alone I was unfamiliar with Instagram. The learning curve was steep and daunting. Many people said to me “we don’t get it!” I am thriving in my cookie business and have since expanded to over 20 cookie flavours and many other baked goods that Truffle Brownies, Dule De Leche Cheesecake Bars, Toffee Explosion Squares, Apple Pie Bars and Tarte Tatin.
Here is what I learned about life. Stay curious! This allows you to learn and experience life in ways you never thought imaginable!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
My family are all entrepreneurs which provided me a great platform for learning to be both creative and flexible. I was taught and encouraged to take risks and despite knowing that all of us have struggles along the way, by exploring we stay curious and can find our passion.
I strongly believe that most of us have many talents and the gift of life is to take the opportunity and explore how our skill sets can be realized in so many different venues.
My being a leadership consultant I do help others realize their ability to impact others positively so they can motivate teams and drive towards goals and advance society through technological innovation.
I have always loved to bake and it’s quiet time for me to create and another way to bring happiness to others. Food is one of our greatest pleasures and surrounding oneself with sweets brings joy to ourselves and people that surround us. Once again baking is about listening to your customers, being flexible and providing them an opportunity to help design desserts. I hope my recent foray into baking shows others that when we take chances there is both great learning and satisfaction from challenging yourself.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
This is all about having courage. You must express yourself in a humble way with deep integrity self promote. If you have a great product you will find the right target audience. Your clients or customers are your viral carriers. They will spread the good word.
Rejection is never personal. You must stand up, dust yourself off and keep going. Each failure teaches you something about how you have to constantly pivot and re-shape your offerings. Clients and customers are your key data points. When you get that feedback it is invaluable and allows you to stay relevant.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Integrity, consistency and listening to what my clients need and want. I solicit feedback on a regular basis, watch market trends and align myself with what is either going on in the current marketplace or what I anticipate consumers needs to be. In essence as a small business owner, complacency is not part of the equation. Keep honing your craft. Here’s a little secret. It helps to be an overachiever!
