Cynthia Kay

A small business leader for over 35 years.

Entrepreneur Leadership Network® Contributor

Cynthia Kay is Founder of Cynthia Kay and Company, an award-winning media production company. She is an expert in small business and has worked with small business leaders across sectors, industries, and growth stages for 35+ years. She is the author of Small Business. Big Success.

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More From Cynthia Kay

Building a Business

Why Do Some People Succeed Instantly While Others Take Years? These 3 Things Explain It

We all love to hear the stories of people who started a business and became an overnight success, but the reality is very different for most.

Side Hustle

Think Side Hustles Are Just for Gen Z? Here’s How That Mindset Is Costing You

Most side hustle stories are about a young person's effort that pays off big. However, a side hustle can be just as relevant for entrepreneurs who are at a different stage in their career, where the runway in front of them is shorter than behind them.

Business News

3 cosas que he aprendido sobre contratar y despedir después de 35 años en los negocios

No me malinterpretes: usar inteligencia artificial, herramientas de contratación y "headhunters" puede ser útil para encontrar al talento adecuado, pero aún tienes que hacer el trabajo pesado. Aquí te comparto algunas lecciones que aprendí por las malas.

Thought Leaders

3 Things I’ve Learned About Hiring and Firing After 35 Years in Business

Don't get me wrong, using AI, hiring tools and professionals can be helpful to find the right talent, but you still have to do the legwork. Here are a few things that I have learned the hard way.

Business Operations & Logistics

Are You Distracted by Shiny Pennies? How to Avoid Business Distractions

Successful entrepreneurs can see opportunities where others do not, generating fresh ideas and excitement about possibilities. But this enthusiasm can become a weakness if it diverts attention from daily business operations.

Thought Leaders

Have You Fallen Out of Love With Your Business? Here’s How to Rekindle the Passion

Have you fallen out of love with your business? Has it been replaced by fatigue and even a little bit of apathy? There are a few signs that might signal your "relationship" with your business has changed.

Thought Leaders

Why Do Employees Resist New Ideas? How to Spot Hostility Towards Change (and Overcome It)

Say the word change, and people will go running for cover. If you pay attention, you can spot resistance to change and take three simple steps to get ahead of it.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Thought Leaders

I’ve Spent 37 Years in Business — Here’s How I Beat the Odds and Stayed Ahead

For over thirty years, I have led a successful media production and communication consulting company. Only 25% of new businesses survive for 15 years or more, so I have beat the odds. But having staying power is not a matter of luck.

Building a Business

How You Can Beat Entrepreneurial Loneliness by Joining the Right Business Network

Joining the right business network can combat the loneliness of entrepreneurship by fostering valuable connections and providing essential support.

Building a Business

Is It Time to Let Go of Your Business? How to Adapt When Your Product Stagnates

Don't wait until your product reaches end of life — stay competitive by developing new offerings or adapting current ones.

Building a Business

Get Picky With Your Clients — How to Identify and Attract Your Ideal Customer

As a start-up or even an established business facing tough times, it is hard to be picky about customers. But with a little effort and thoughtful planning, you can attract more ideal customers and spend less time doing work that does not align with your business goals.

Building a Business

3 Things to Consider Before Your Perfect Business Partner Becomes Your Perfect Disaster

There are many reasons for start-up businesses' high failure rate, including lack of cash, not doing enough research and poor marketing. But this one reason is definitely not getting enough attention.

Human Resources

Why Business Owners Should Mix Strategy with Hands-On Involvement

Conventional wisdom says to work on the business, not in the business. That sounds like good advice, but is there more to it? Yes, and finding the balance is key to entrepreneurial success.

Human Resources

Watch Out for These 5 Consequences of Too Much Collaboration

Beware of the collaboration trap! Too much collaboration causes overload, and well-intentioned efforts to have broad collaboration can backfire.

Business Plan

From Camera-Shy to Camera-Ready — Here’s What to Consider Before You Go on Camera

Are you ready to be on camera? Here are a few things to consider.

Building a Business

Most People Have No Business Starting a Business. Here’s What to Consider Before You Become an Entrepreneur

You need to find the right business opportunity at the right time and take the right steps to beat the odds.

Business Operations & Logistics

How to Avoid These Common Communication Blunders in the Workplace

Lots of executives and managers complain that their organization is terrible at communication.

Thought Leaders

Are You the Face of Your Business? You Shouldn’t Be — These 3 Practices Can Help You Change Your Branding

In a smaller organization, the owner is often the "face" of the business. But while it is flattering to be in demand, being the face of the business is also dangerous. It can impact the owner's ability to grow the business and make it sustainable for the long term.

Thought Leaders

Cynthia Kay

More From Cynthia Kay

Why Do Some People Succeed Instantly While Others Take Years? These 3 Things Explain It

Think Side Hustles Are Just for Gen Z? Here’s How That Mindset Is Costing You

3 cosas que he aprendido sobre contratar y despedir después de 35 años en los negocios

3 Things I’ve Learned About Hiring and Firing After 35 Years in Business

Are You Distracted by Shiny Pennies? How to Avoid Business Distractions

Have You Fallen Out of Love With Your Business? Here’s How to Rekindle the Passion

Why Do Employees Resist New Ideas? How to Spot Hostility Towards Change (and Overcome It)

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

I’ve Spent 37 Years in Business — Here’s How I Beat the Odds and Stayed Ahead

How You Can Beat Entrepreneurial Loneliness by Joining the Right Business Network

Is It Time to Let Go of Your Business? How to Adapt When Your Product Stagnates

Get Picky With Your Clients — How to Identify and Attract Your Ideal Customer

3 Things to Consider Before Your Perfect Business Partner Becomes Your Perfect Disaster

Why Business Owners Should Mix Strategy with Hands-On Involvement

Watch Out for These 5 Consequences of Too Much Collaboration

From Camera-Shy to Camera-Ready — Here’s What to Consider Before You Go on Camera

Most People Have No Business Starting a Business. Here’s What to Consider Before You Become an Entrepreneur

How to Avoid These Common Communication Blunders in the Workplace

Are You the Face of Your Business? You Shouldn’t Be — These 3 Practices Can Help You Change Your Branding

How These 3 Toxic Leadership Behaviors Could Be Poisoning Your Team

How to Deliver a Virtual Meeting with Confidence

How to Get Your Business Noticed (and How to Brag About It)

How to Turn Every Employee into a Sales Superstar

Can You Turn Your Side Hustle into a Business? Consider These 3 Things.

3 Things Small Business Can Do to Compete with Big Business for Talent

5 Things to Consider Before You Target Big Businesses

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