Women
Who Realize their Dreams
Cindy is the owner of the The Light Fandango Candle Company.
Judith: Welcome to my blog,
Cindy, on this wonderful summer day. We are talking today about how women
inspire change. What has been your experience with that?
Cindy: The change in my
life that transformed me has to be the death of my mother. Her dream of owning
a restaurant was unfulfilled. I decided I did not want my future to be
determined by others, and I wanted to forge my own path.
Judith: It sounds like your
mother was a very strong presence in your life and you learned wonderful things
from her. What did you do to forge your own path?
Cindy: I am a 43-year-old
woman who has undergone two major career changes in her life. After spending 6
years in retail, I decided it was time to go back to school to pursue my first
love-radio. I spent 15 years in several markets with jobs as news anchor, music
director, and finally program director. In September ’07, I decided it was time
to take my part-time passion and make it a full-time business, so I launched my
own company, The Light Fandango Candle Company.
Judith: First of all, I
really want to acknowledge you for your entrepreneurial spirit. It can be
daunting to take such a bold step and start a business from scratch. What led
up to you turning your part-time passion into a full-time business?
Cindy: Two years ago, I
became frustrated because the creative control of my radio station was slowly
being taken away from me. I decided that I needed to have control over the
product I was responsible for, especially if my livelihood depended on it. So I
took a deep breath, quit my job, and started taking the necessary steps to make
the candles an actual business and not just a sideline.
Judith: Congratulations! You
were creating your life one courageous step at a time. First you had an
awareness that things were not working, you stopped and look a long deep breath
while you looked for your next vantage point and then you took action. Could
you share some of your wins and challenges with us?
Cindy: I consider any new
sale a win because I have convinced someone that my product is worth their
money. I also feel like a winner when an item I envision in my head actually
comes to fruition.
Challenges
include-competing with the sheer numbers of candles on the market. I have to
work constantly to find ways to differentiate my hand-crafted items from
candles that can be purchased in stores.
Judith: I have several of
your wonderful candles and have given them as gifts. I can say with certainty
that they are special and the wonderful smell permeates throughout the
house. How has your life changed as a
result of you starting your own business two years ago?
Cindy: To start with, MUCH
less stress! I have more of myself to give to family and friends because I am
not spent from stressing myself out at a career that was making me unhappy.
I
enjoy setting my own hours, and I am working on items I love to make-not
someone else’s busy work.
I
have developed more confidence in myself. I have always been a “hide my light
under a bushel” type, but in order to grow I have to be comfortable talking
about what I do.
Judith: You brought up two wonderful
points. One, it is so important to be doing what you love. The benefits are
enormous such as less stress, more to give others, not to mention the pure joy
of it!
The
other point is that you could no longer hide your light under a bushel. This is
so important for women to understand who are making major changes in their
lives. Things will need to stretch you a bit out of your comfort zone and for
that say hurrah! You are growing and doing exciting things if it feels a bit
uncomfortable.
As
we close our talk today, what advice do you have for women who want to make a
change in their lives but are fearful of coming out from under the bush and letting
their own lights shine?
Cindy: In this economy, more
and more women will be attempting to do their own thing. If a woman plans on
striking out on her own, know that success does not come quickly and things may
be lean for a time. But have faith in yourself and your abilities, don't panic
when things get tough, and make sure you have a time line & business plan.
Judith: Yes, I agree! Having
faith in your ability and in what you love is crucial. Don’t listen to the
naysayers who make you doubt yourself. Go for what you want and you will
thrive!
“It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and
seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is
no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting,
for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.”
Alan Cohen
Cindy
thanks for stopping by. It has been a pleasure to talk with you today!
Cindy: I appreciate the
opportunity!
Here
is Cindy’s contact information, please take a look at her wonderful candles!
Lucinda
Wormsbaker
Let
your life reach new heights that you never thought were possible! Join
Coach Judith for a free private (always confidential) coaching
consultation. Call 315.497.3059 or email Judith@flyingchangecoaching.com
Judith Geiger ~ Certified Relationship Coach
Flying Change Coaching, LLC
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