We were lucky to catch up with Angela Cherry recently and have shared our conversation below.

Angela, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

To achieve success, I believe it requires a blend of several key elements: passion, resilience, discipline and commitment to growth & continuous learning. First, passion is a driving force behind success. When you genuinely care about what you do, it fuels your motivation and keeps you engaged, even during tough times. Finding a career or cause that resonates with you can make all the difference in your journey.
Second, resilience plays a critical role in success. The journey is rarely a straight path; there will be setbacks and obstacles along the way. Developing the ability to bounce back from failures and learn from those experiences is vital. Embracing a growth mindset allows you to see challenges as opportunities for development.
Third, discipline is equally crucial. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and it requires consistent effort and focus over time. Discipline keeps you on track, pushing you to follow through on commitments, prioritize effectively, and maintain a high standard in your work.
Finally, a commitment to growth is what enables sustainable success. The willingness to learn from mistakes, seek feedback, and continuously improve is invaluable. This mindset allows you to adapt and evolve, staying relevant and open to new opportunities. Embracing continuous learning is crucial in an ever-evolving landscape. The willingness to learn new skills, seek feedback, and adapt to change ensures that you stay relevant and competitive. It also opens up opportunities for growth that you might not have anticipated.
In summary, success is not just about reaching a destination; it’s about cultivating a mindset of passion, resilience, discipline and commitment to growth and continuous learning. These qualities allow you to navigate the complexities of your journey and continue growing both personally and professionally.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I currently serve as the president and of SecureStream Pay Solutions, a company dedicated to innovating the payment processing space. My journey to SecureStream wasn’t straightforward, it was filled with adversity that resilience and determination helped me overcome. I chose to get married and focus on family instead of getting a formal education after graduating high school. When the marriage ended 8 years later, and I was a single mother of 2 children I was faced with how to provide for them. I worked hard and took every opportunity that was given to learn, grow and gain experience. My work ethic and commitment to growth quickly opened doors for me. Starting as a business development manager in 2013, I thrived by securing contracts and building client relationships. Over time, I advanced to executive leadership roles, always keeping my focus on leading by example. These experiences prepared me for my role at SecureStream, where I now guide our vision, mission, and growth.

What drives me and the team at SecureStream is the passion for creating secure, seamless, and reliable payment solutions that allow businesses to focus on what matters most—their growth. I’m particularly excited by how we’re constantly pushing the envelope with cutting-edge technology to meet the evolving needs of our clients.

What makes SecureStream truly special is our focus on transparency and the commitment to providing a white-glove, concierge-level customer service experience. We understand that payment processing is a critical aspect of running a business, and we aim to make the process as smooth and supportive as possible. Our clients know they can rely on us not just for our technology, but for a hands-on approach that makes them feel valued every step of the way. We offer competitive rates with no contracts or setup fees, which really sets us apart from the rest of the industry. It’s about putting our clients first and making sure that they have the freedom to grow without unnecessary hurdles.

Looking ahead, my focus is on continuing to scale SecureStream’s offerings, whether through new service and product launches or further market expansions, all while maintaining the same level of transparency and customer care that we’re known for. The future of SecureStream is bright, and I’m excited to continue leading us on this journey of growth and innovation.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Leading with empathy and a servant leadership mindset is fundamental to my approach as a leader. I believe that true leadership is about putting people first understanding their perspectives, supporting their needs, and empowering them to succeed.

Embrace empathy and a servant leadership mindset. Empathy is at the core of this approach. I make it a priority to listen actively and seek to understand the unique strengths and challenges of each team member. By doing so, I can create an environment where people feel valued and heard, which not only strengthens trust but also fosters open communication and innovation.

Servant leadership complements this by shifting the focus from “leading from the top” to working alongside the team. My role as a leader is to provide the resources, guidance, and support my team needs to thrive. When people feel supported and empowered, they’re more motivated and engaged, which ultimately leads to stronger performance and a more positive workplace culture.

In my experience, this approach builds a resilient, high-performing team that’s aligned with our goals and motivated by a shared sense of purpose. Leading with empathy and a servant mindset not only drives success but also creates a meaningful impact on the people and the organization as a whole.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I left the credit card processing industry for a few years, due to a non-compete I pivoted into commercial furniture. About six months after I started in commercial furniture renting, the pandemic hit. I was hit with an ironic, vulnerable situation: I was renting out office furniture and there was no one in the office. Still, I got creative and was still able to achieve my goals for 2020. Whenever someone is in times of stress, I encourage them to take a step back, breathe, and analyze the situation at hand. That is exactly what I did: I took a step back to see what was going on in the market. One thing I found was that there was still construction going on in Nashville, and so I was able to still achieve my business goals for that year and became a top producer in the country for the company. I worked with integrity and diligence, and it paid off.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.securestreampaysolutions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/securestreampaysolutions?igsh=ZnN1ZHV3NDVmcHFm
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551751033044
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/securestream-pay-solutions/