We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cynthia Anne Finefrock. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cynthia Anne below.

Hi Cynthia Anne , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

As a travel photographer who had been fortunate enough to visit 50 countries, I was excited when I finally published my photography website in the spring of 2020. But then the pandemic hit, and like so many others, I suddenly found myself without a job and unsure of what to do next. One day, while chatting with a friend, they joked about how I should edit photos of my incredibly photogenic dog, Winston, into my travel landscapes. It was a lighthearted comment, but something clicked. I had always dreamed of becoming a children’s book author, and the idea of combining Winston’s adventures with my passion for travel seemed like the perfect opportunity. I realized this could be more than just fun—it could be a way to teach kids about different parts of the world and inspire a love of learning about other cultures. It felt like the right time to take this leap, and the idea excited me because it was unique. There weren’t many books out there that combined travel, photography, and cultural learning in a way that was both educational and entertaining for children.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My website, www.CynthiaAnne.com, is a showcase of my journey across different countries, capturing the beauty, culture, and unique aspects of each destination through professional travel photography. Every photo represents not just a place, but a story—a moment that captures the essence of a region and invites viewers to experience the world from my perspective.

In addition, I founded Faithful Friends Publishing, LLC, that publishes the Winston the Traveling Dog children’s book series. This series introduces young readers to different cultures and places around the world through the adventures of Winston, my fluffy Pomeranian. Although Winston doesn’t actually travel with me—I edit him into my travel landscapes—the goal is to inspire curiosity and foster an understanding of diversity among children in a fun, engaging way.Both the website and the book series reflect my commitment to using storytelling and visuals to spark a love for learning about the world.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Looking back, I realize I was always drawn to a career that involved creativity. As a kid, I dabbled in photography and was constantly writing. But the idea of choosing a creative path, like writing or photography, was intimidating—I was nervous about putting myself out there and marketing my work. Medicine, on the other hand, felt like a more straightforward path: if you do A, you get to B. So I chose it initially, appreciating the clear steps it offered. However, I eventually realized it didn’t bring me the joy and fulfillment I was seeking. My life was riddled with anxiety as a physician assistant and photography was my escape. Writing and sharing stories, especially ones inspired by my travels, has allowed me to combine creativity with my passion for exploring the world. It’s funny how sometimes life comes full circle.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I sell my paperback books on Amazon, however I prefer to always direct people to my website if they live in the US. When people buy from my website, it’s guaranteed that the product they’re buying has been inspected by me and is of the best quality. Not to mention, the profit margin is a lot higher when people buy directly from my website. I look at Amazon as a way to get international customers since shipping out of the country is very expensive, but I believe it’s always best to support local in the country you live in when given the choice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cynthiaanne.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winstontravels_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winstonthetravelingdog
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-finefrock-66991192/