Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Leach.
Hi Cindy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Well, let me introduce myself as the bald chick in the room – my name is Cindy Leach. I am a 48-year-old mother of 4. An accomplished professional athlete where I hold 2 Pro titles in the fitness industry (Figure Pro & Physique Pro). About 10 years ago I began learning more about health and fitness as I had 4 children and was a stay at home mom that didn’t really think about how I looked much until one day I did; when I couldn’t zip up a skirt – LOL. My background growing up was in dance; mainly ballet and jazz and was doing competitive dance even when my oldest son was 2 years old! So not being in the shape I was used to… an adventure began that I would have never imagined.
Fast forward some more years… 2016… a divorce and I was going to have to find a job. I’d been home about 11 years, so I am way out of the game at this point. I am a people person (or I used to be, not since sick); so I knew I had that going for me. A new local car dealership had just opened up and was looking for a community marketing person; I called, had an interview, and got the job. I loved what I did. I was out in the public non-stop between a few different cities; engaged in events from marketing the dealership to supporting various causes and volunteering. People are my passion! I was also considered a local influencer in my area as I represented 3 cities as an ambassador; but on top of that, I would highlight a business I thought had an outstanding staff, or great food, or maybe someone that deserved to be appreciated for something great they achieved. Other blessings: I was a mural in a local coffee shop in Pearland, I was a fitness model, I’ve done some radio, been a columnist for an online former fitness magazine and I was a writer for a local church’s magazine.
After 2.5 years, I decided I was ready for some variation vs. doing the same thing each year; same events each month and so on. I wanted to be able to represent businesses in various ways with the talent I knew I possessed, but wasn’t being able to be put to it’s fullest potential. Hence…2020 I got my DBA and started my own little consulting business ‘Cindy Leach Consulting’. My desire wasn’t wealth, it was being able to allow a small business to be able to afford someone to help them handle their content creation and social media while they just focus on the actual business part and their clients/customers. I have a creative brain so being able to be more free and cater specifically to their business needs is thrilling. I also do 1 on 1 consultation to assist in projects or to help show you some things you can add or change up with what you are currently doing. Being a human interest person I really like my clients to not only be seen as a business, but to be seen as people,
Throughout 2019 to the present, I have battled illness and a major surgery that basically saved my life; but I am now in survival mode 24/7. So I am wondering, are you still scratching your head over the ‘bald chick’? I am a BII (breast implant illness) survivor and advocate. November 5, 2019, I had emergency surgery to remove my breast implants as we discovered I had a rupture in my right implant with it leaking and in to my right axillary. I’ve seen about 7 different doctors and specialists and have been in Christian counseling for 2 yrs now. I have a rare autoimmune disease, Lichen Planopilaris (LPP), a very rare scalp condition where my head was in severe pain and itching and bald patches were showing up. LPP is a derivative of Lichen Planus, in which if my body is too stressed I get lesions on my eyelids and my face. Also a form of alopecia. I battle chronic fatigue, muscle pain and weakness, joint pain, insomnia, memory loss (specifically more short-term), brain fog, plus some. I take 12 pills a day to function on top of almost daily naps. My life did a complete 180. Therefore I had to cut down how many clients I could manage, which in turn caused me to lose most of my income, my rent house, I had to leave my 16 yr old twins behind to live with their dad full-time as I knew I couldn’t be 100 percent for them when I’m struggling to take care of myself. I ended up recently moving to the country on my parents’ property. I sold most of my belongings and just followed where God will lead me.
I still manage a couple of clients’ digital marketing and social media pages. I still have openings for no more than 2 more clients as I want to make sure ALL my clients get the best of me to help show the best of them. I know my story might sound insane and upside-down and shocking; BUT…. I am still so blessed to help who I can, when I can and I am reminded every day I wake up is a gift!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
HA! Starting a business isn’t a smooth road for anyone. I totally went out on faith and knew that I had to really hustle now since I had bills to pay; so now I need clients. In the first week of me promoting myself; I got 4 clients right off the bat. Now my rate at first was very low – it’s gone up because I was way under-charging myself but I’m still way under $1,000/month. Well, I had those 4 clients for months and months – no new ones coming in. Eventually more doors opened and at one point I had 7 or 8 clients.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
So I create their content that gets posted to mostly Facebook or Instagram. Content will range from tips, what services are provided to special holidays. The key is to keep them showing up regular in the feed, on the stories and targeting certain groups where their services might be needed. My clients typically just have no clue how to be creative or have the desire to even deal with social media; that’s where I come in. We collaborate on ideas, deadlines and any other ways to help promote them. I highly encourage my clients to be a part of their local Chamber of Commerce and look for some ways to be involved in the community. Giving back is huge for me and I truly believe all business’s within a city should find ways to support each other and help cross-promote. THAT’S how you build a city and community efforts in my eyes.
What sets me apart is that I like to think outside the box. Why market like everyone else and marketing should make people really want to check you out. If it’s dull and the same thing repetitive, you begin to look like all the other business’s in your same field. I also encourage LIVE FB videos or even pre-recorded one’s showing what goes on in your office or on-sight. Letting more people see what you do invites a different layer to the business; makes it more personal. I like to have my clients talk about how they got started, what drives them and how it’s impacted their life. Remember…I am a human interest writer/person – I never meet a stranger.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
The best thing about Houston is…well…it’s Houston! There is so much to do and see from sports to theater and parades to concerts. What I like least, and I’m sure all of Houston would agree with me – the never-ending road construction!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @beautifulbeyondbald
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063520570730
Image Credits
Matthew Kelly
Alfonso Aguirre
