

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cyndi Lewis.
Hi Cyndi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was a little girl, I always said I would never own my own business because I saw how little time my parents had outside of owning their small-town grocery store/gas station. I have since learned never to say “never” because I find myself constantly eating those words. The first time I went back on a “never” statement was when I started my first business, FrickNGraphix, Inc., in 2005 at the age of 24. Starting that business was a necessity when it became very evident that my first grown-up job out of college wasn’t a good fit. Every day I would come home crying, and I told my (first) husband, “I don’t know how long I can stay there.” He responded, “You have 2 weeks to find a new job.” The day after I submitted my resignation, I started my own graphic design and marketing business, FrickNGraphix, Inc. (Frick was my first married name, lemonade out of lemons, LOL).
Through several moves and the addition of two children, I ran that business from my home office, and all of my business was from referrals. Being my own boss had significant advantages like flexibility with the kids. Still, it also had substantial challenges: cash flow, not knowing if I would have projects coming in, no retirement benefits, no maternity leave, etc. When my family moved north from the Twin Cities in 2017, I wanted to get involved at my children’s school because I was passionate about ensuring anti-bullying processes were in place. Having been racially tormented in high school, I was determined to make sure that my children didn’t have to endure the trauma that I did. As I left for my first Parent Teacher Organization meeting, my first husband said, “Don’t sign up for anything.” Oops, I came home being the following year’s President, and I am in my 6th and final term as the President of the PTO.
After my divorce in 2018, I knew immediately that I needed to transition into an office job with medical and retirement benefits and a steady paycheck. I also knew immediatlely that I wanted to be married again, and I met my current husband and the love of my life in the first four hours of paying for a dating website… you’ll have to read my book to get the full love story!
While I kept my design business open, I worked in long-term senior living as the Director of Life Enrichment, supervising a team of nine. Working through COVID-19 in senior care made me realize that healthcare wasn’t for me. From there, I moved into the position I’m currently in, The Director of Development for a local non-profit organization. In August of 2023, I felt like I “needed a project” in my personal life. I love a new challenge or puzzle to solve to entertain my brain. One morning while on the treadmill (where I get so many of my best ideas), I had it! Bursting into the bedroom where my second husband was fast asleep, I exclaimed, “I have come to a decision!” “What?” he replied groggily. “I’m going to write a book!”
One month and three days later, Suck Less at Love: She Said, He Said Advice on Love was off to publishers. Three days after that, I started North Shore Pebble Art (www.northshorepebbleart.com) because in my mind, the first project was done, and I needed a new one. What I didn’t realize was how much work the publishing process was going to be. I do so love the challenge of learning a new skill – it drives me forward! Currently, I am 85% done with book two in the Suck Less Series: Suck Less at Parenting. The plan for the third book is Suck Less at Life. Additionally, in my personal life, I am the VP of Kiwanis of Duluth, on deck to be the President starting in October of this year. I love non-profit volunteering. I wish I had more time and more financial resources to give back. Since I don’t have extra money, I volunteer time whenever I can, and I think it’s a great lesson for my children to see me volunteering.
I also had my baking charity for a year after my divorce. It was called Just BAKEcause. I stress-bake in double or triple batches – whatever my stand mixer can hold. It was another one of those “I need a project” moments. I loved the feeling of giving homebaked goods to others, so I decided to turn it into a charity. I had volunteer bakers, and once a month, we surprised a local service organization with treats. Someone that I didn’t know reached out to me on Facebook, and she wanted to start a local chapter of my charity in her town. I made up a best practices training, scheduled a call with her, and then she took it and ran with it, getting about nine volunteer bakers on her team. I miss it, but my life is just too busy now to start it back up. I still stress bake, but I send the treats with my husband to thank the police department for the work they do every day.
Here are the links to my book interviews, author website, pebble art website, and ever-growing Instagram, and new tiktok and youtube:
https://www.wdio.com/lift-
Local Duluth Woman Writes Self-Help Book On Love
https://www.instagram.com/
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are always unforeseen challenges: moving, managing time effectively to stay sane, divorce, and introducing a new partner to my children. Sometimes, there need to be more hours in the day, but if you’re passionate about something, you find the time and energy.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love non-profit volunteer leadership, and I’m proud to be a doer, not a talker. When I want to do something, I do it. What sets me apart from others is my sheer determination and an attitude that says, “I can do anything I set my mind to do because my parents never told me I couldn’t.” During my recent book launch party, in his introduction to me, my husband said, “When the publisher told her that she had two weeks for edits, and she said, ‘I only need one’, that’s what I’m working with.” “Anyone who knows her knows that when she says she’s going to do something, she’s going to do it.” So many people over the years have told me that I should be in sales because of my personality. My response is always, “I can’t sell something unless I’m passionate about it” which is why I love working in non-profit because I am the translator of what we do in the office to the public and donors.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’m old now, so there have been a lot of lessons. Never say never because you’ll eat your words. There is always something to learn even when you think there isn’t (I learned a lot about writing during the publishing process with my publisher). Sometimes, things aren’t as important as happiness. Live your life without regrets. Fairytale love exists. Do something that scares you because you’ll learn and grow from the experience. The best gift you can give an author is an Amazon review!
Pricing:
- $17.99 to buy my paperback book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
- $9.99 for Kindle on Amazon
- Prices vary on my website for pebble art
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cyndilewisauthor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyndilewisauthor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cyndilewisauthor/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyndi-lewis-8270464/
- Other: www.northshorepebbleart.com