Learning Through Laughter - Cindy Maher

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cindy Maher, Co-Founder of Leading Edge Coaching & Development, located in Bloomfield, CT, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Leading Edge Coaching & Development was founded in 2003 with a vision of leadership training and organizational consulting that is completely different. We do it in a one-of-a-kind way: with humor, research, and a lot of interaction. The humor creates a psychological safety that opens people up and keeps them engaged. The research comes from the latest thought leaders on teams and leadership (our content is always evolving). The interaction gets people putting the most important things on the table so that real change happens. We support our clients' employee engagement efforts with surveys and workshops. We deepen inclusion through our DEI products and services. We offer executive team development that increases trust and generates real culture change. We deliver engaging and memorable keynotes at industry conferences. We provide executive coaching. We run manager cohort development programs that typically last from six months to a year. Our customers include federal and state government (like the NIH, FDA, and Minnesota Revenue), large for-profit companies (like General Mills and Aetna), not-for-profit organizations (like YMCA and YWCA), and colleges and universities (like Universities of Washington and Minnesota, Bates and Hamilton Colleges, Case Western).

Tell us about yourself

I studied acting and education at university, and I am happy to say that I use both of these disciplines in my work. I "grew up" in training and development at Aetna, where I started with technical and customer service training and eventually moved into leadership development for the top 200, succession planning, and talent management. I got the opportunity to start my company with a business partner (Carol Grannis of Stillwater, MN) in 2003. It was a perfect partnership: she is skilled at client relationships, charismatic, and really good at connecting with people. I am a gifted instructional designer (I developed all of our workshops, engagement tools, and content). I am very motivated to develop better leaders because that is a key element in employee engagement and happiness. We spend more time at work than at home, so it's key that we make work experiences more fulfilling and positive for people.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Lasting almost 20 years! Most new businesses don't make it past the first couple of years. While we've had our ups and downs (we managed through the 2008 recession and a worldwide pandemic), we have continued to support leaders all over the country.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

As a small business owner, you have to look for and cultivate new business constantly. Even though we've had some of the same clients for the last 19 years, you cannot rest on your laurels. Companies change leaders (so you lose your contacts), have downturns (so they cut their training budget), and change priorities. Even recently, we lost a 12-month contract with a hospital because it merged with another (And bam! What seemed like a sure thing disappeared). Another hard thing occurred when Carol, my original business partner, left the company. There was no acrimony; she just needed stability and less travel with her growing family. (Even the Beatles broke up, right?) I had to rebuild my confidence in order to continue the company alone.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Make your clients and customers your friends (Carol taught me this). Yes, understand and care about their business. But it is just as important to understand and care about them as people. When you build personal trust with a customer - and learn to enjoy each other - you will have them for life.
2. Figure out what makes you unique. If you want to be a consultant, how will you be different/better than the thousands of other consultants your customers can find on Google? Once we realized that our shared theatre background set us apart from others in the training world, we used it, honed it, and made it exceptional.
3. Find someone you trust who has skills you don't. I hate billing, taxes, cash flow, and math. I needed to find LeeAnn, my trusted finance director. I could not - would not - do this business without her.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.leadingedgecoaches.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadingedgecoaches
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-maher-96a76816/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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