Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Wahler.
Hi Cindy, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I always wanted to be self-employed. Being an entrepreneur has allowed me to have a vision and generate opportunities to create and innovate. As an energetic person with curiosity, I realized we can have many passions. There is no doubt there are many risks in being on your own, and it is not for the faint at heart. When you run your own business, you do not have an infrastructure for support, guidance, or counsel. There really is nothing to fall back on. The huge upside, though, is you can be nimble and not be stalled by administrative processes that are necessary and vital in large organizations
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always struggles. Some of the struggles can be self-imposed. Worrying about failure, fear that nobody wants what you are selling, reading the market incorrectly.
I strongly believe that in order to be successful, some level of failure or learning is necessary, as it means you will be open to feedback on how to improve or do better. If not, you are at a huge risk to be narrowly focused or believe that you are the smartest person in the room, which can be dangerous. Actively soliciting feedback is key.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
I have 2 businesses. One is Leadership Excellence. I work with Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies to align talent in order to optimize strategic growth opportunities. Board and C suite advisory, succession planning, and executive coaching are offerings that I provide to support firms advance culture, employee engagement, diversity, and shareholder value.
My second business is a cookie and dessert business. Here, I am also a one-person show. It is on Instagram @bite.me.cookie.
I began this business in 2021 and have expanded where I provide desserts for private and corporate events. It serves to fuel a different creative passion, and it has been fun to customize desserts based on customer needs.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was always driven, high energy, and competitive with myself, wanting to always explore new opportunities. I have a tremendous level of curiosity and want to challenge myself by not adhering to the same way of doing things. Predictability is important, but so is adventure and taking risks.
Contact Info:
- Website: cindywahler.com
- Instagram: @bite.me.cookie
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/cindy-wahler
Image Credits
Josh Wahler
Samuel Engelking
