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

Cindy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success, to me, isn’t just about reaching milestones; it’s about living a life filled with purpose and passion. It’s about waking up every morning excited to pursue what I love and having a community of people who uplift and inspire me.

First and foremost, I believe in following my authentic heart desires. I’ve done that since the beginning of my work career. I’ve swayed off the path once – when I went to work for a big corporation – but, fortunately, “life” steered me back onto my path. Each time I’ve followed my heart – whether it was starting a boutique marketing agency, or co-founding a non-profit Grief Center, or buying a Tiny House that I live in and rent out, or being the Producer for a podcast called Creating Space for Grief and Hope, or starting my Sunflower House Publishing company – the Universe has given me the support I have needed. And I truly believe it is because I am doing what I was “called” to be doing in this lifetime.

Equally important is the company I keep. In my journey toward success, I’ve learned that surrounding myself with individuals who share my values, vision, and zest for life is invaluable. Collaborating with people I genuinely admire and enjoy working with not only makes the journey more enjoyable but also fosters a culture of support, creativity, and growth. I’m happy to say that most of my in-person client meetings end in a hug! In fact, I’ve often said to myself “I only want to work with people who I genuinely love and WANT to hug!”

Success, to me, is also about making a positive impact on the world around me. Through my multiple business ventures, I strive to do more than just turn a profit; I aim to leave a meaningful mark on society. I’ve done this through the organizations and clients I’ve worked with – such as numerous performing arts companies who are bringing opera, ballet and meaningful theatre to life on stage; organizations and individuals who are teaching the importance of grief and the gold it can bring to our lives; non-profits who are helping to create sustainable projects in third-world countries; and my latest venture of creating a publishing company with the mission of “creating books and audio books that bring hope to our world.” I believe these various platforms effect positive change, leaving the world a better place.

In essence, success, to me, is about living authentically, pursuing my passions wholeheartedly, surrounding myself with incredible people, and making a positive difference in the world. It’s not just about achieving goals; it’s about embracing a way of life that brings joy, fulfillment, and purpose to every moment. And through my personal and business endeavors, I’m committed to embodying these principles and inspiring others to do the same.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have crafted a dynamic career journey that blends my passion for the arts, marketing expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit – now calling myself and coining the term “a multipreneur.” With a BA in Arts Management and a Minor in Music, my path unfolded over the course of several ventures, each one building upon the last to create a unique tapestry of experiences and accomplishments.

My professional journey started in the vibrant world of performing arts organizations, where I spent the first 18 years of my career honing my non-profit management, fundraising, and marketing skills. In 2000, I took a leap of faith and founded Marketing Matters, a boutique marketing agency. Fueled by my deep love for the arts, my agency catered predominantly to clients within the arts sphere, providing them with tailored marketing solutions to help them thrive.

As my journey evolved, so did my ventures. I co-founded The Respite: A Centre for Grief & Hope, drawing upon my non-profit and marketing background to support individuals navigating the challenging terrain of grief. Concurrently, I lent my expertise to a non-profit dedicated to empowering women in third-world countries, assisting them with fundraising efforts.

In 2015, my musical aspirations took center stage as I embarked on a professional singing career alongside launching my second marketing agency, On Track Marketing. Continuing today, my client roster encompasses arts-related organizations as well as solopreneurs seeking comprehensive marketing strategies to propel their passions forward. Under the On Track umbrella, I also am the Producer for two podcasts that connect back to my time with the grief center: Finding Hope Podcast and Creating Space for Grief & Hope Podcast, both hosted by my previous colleagues.

Beyond traditional marketing services, I expanded my offerings to include facilitating Vision Board workshops and providing “Make it Happen” coaching. These endeavors aimed to empower individuals to manifest their dreams and aspirations with clarity and intention.

In 2019, I embraced a new chapter by purchasing a Tiny House, aptly named the Sunflower House, which serves as both my residence and an Airbnb rental. This move embodies my commitment to sustainable living and creating unique experiences for others.

And now, my latest venture, Sunflower House Publishing, emerges as the culmination of my diverse skill set and entrepreneurial spirit. Named in honor of my beloved Tiny House, this venture represents a new chapter in my journey, where I seek to bring books and audio books into the world that bring hope and inspiration.

What sets me apart? It’s not just about the services I offer or the ventures I’ve pursued—it’s about the passion, dedication, and authenticity I bring to everything I do. I’m proud of the diverse experiences and accomplishments that have shaped my journey thus far, and I’m eager to continue pushing boundaries, exploring new horizons, and making a positive impact in the world.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2010, I experienced an unexpected turn in my career journey when I was let go from my position at a large performing arts organization. The reason given was a vague “re-shaping of the department.” Prior to this, I had been grappling with the toxic work environment for over a year, but as a single mother, I felt constrained to stay for the stability it provided.

Though the news of my termination initially left me feeling shocked and apprehensive, there was also a sense of relief. It was a chance to break free from the toxicity and explore new opportunities. With unemployment benefits and additional financial support, I embarked on a journey to find my next role.

During this transitional period, two opportunities presented themselves to me that broadened my horizons. The first was a part-time position with a non-profit focused on supporting women and children in third-world countries. This role offered me a fresh perspective on life outside of my usual realm, exposing me to the realities of communities facing hardships such as limited access to clean water and education.

Simultaneously, I joined forces with two close friends to co-found a grief center. This endeavor delved into the intricacies of loss, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and processing grief in our lives and finding the “gold” it can bring. Through this journey, I learned to embrace the transformative power of grief, recognizing it as a crucible through which we unearth invaluable insights and resilience.

Looking back, what initially seemed like a setback turned out to be a pivotal moment of growth and discovery. While my departure from the performing arts world was unexpected, it led me down paths I never would have explored otherwise. Today, I see it as a necessary pivot that expanded my perspective and ultimately enriched my life – both personally and professionally.

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

As I mentioned previously I am now calling myself a “multipreneur.” I am one of those people who has always had several streams of income and that stands true today. Currently, I receive income from: numerous On Track clients, Book and Audio book royalties from Sunflower House Publishing, clients of Sunflower House Publishing, Airbnb rentals at the Sunflower Tiny House, and producing the Creating Space for Grief & Hope podcast.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sunflowerhousepublishing.com/
• Instagram: @cindyballaro
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunflowerhousepublishing
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindyballaro
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/GTz_y4t25Sk?si=I26aH7PDsCVGr5Hu
• Other: Author Page for C.A. Cook (pen name): https://www.amazon.com/stores/C.A.-Cook/author/B0C7LSQW3H?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creating-space-grief-hope https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/findinghope
• See Cindy’s Tiny House in this video: https://youtu.be/VK8L3OmBV3Q?si=7CGE29jnSiN1tf-C

Image Credits
Most of the photos above were taken by the talented Victoria Gailey.