This interview is part of our Researching Bridges Project. Learn more about this project or read other interviews we have conducted in this endeavor.
Note that not all content below is verbatim, but all concepts are taken directly from information gathered during the interview.
All About Cindy
Cindy Stevens-Tollar, wife to Mike Tollar, has a passion for helping people. She is a Pre-Paid Legal representative as well, but her true calling is figuring out what others are good at and motivating them to do it. With more than 20 years of experience in business management, she has found her mantra to be “NetWORK for life!” She loves getting to know people, and she has discovered that networking takes serious work if you want to get anything out of it.
I heard Cindy talk a few months ago about netWORKing and she called to follow up about her Three Keys to Networking. After a rather lengthy phone conversation about me, what I do, and where I see my business going, she said “okay, well I have to run. It was great talking to you!” I was more than a bit puzzled; I thought I was going to get some revolutionary insight from an expert on networking about how I can improve my networking skills. So, I asked her, “what about your three tips on networking?” She replied, “I think you’re already off to a great start and you already are implementing them very well.” Despite how this aggravated my curiosity, I sat for a few minutes after getting off the phone with her thinking about everything she said between the lines.
Cindy has some great connections in the Indianapolis area. If there is someone you want to meet, or if you are still trying to figure out what you are good at, contact her via email.
The Power of Marketing
This is what I learned most from Cindy while we sat sharing chocolate donuts last week. Not that I didn’t already know how important marketing is, I just didn’t realize that–if the marketing is good enough–it doesn’t even matter what ethics are the foundation of your business. You could be a criminal, and people wouldn’t care as long as you make them feel safe. As a Pre-Paid Legal rep, Cindy also offers identity theft protection. One of the well-renowned providers of identity theft protection has been taken to court multiple times, the owner of this company has had other companies that were taken to court multiple times, and most recently the identity theft company has been banned from doing business the way that they do because it is illegal (not to mention immoral). Yet, people still flock to them because their advertisements make them feel like they will be safer if they use them.
If a company so immoral and unethical can become one of the nation’s leading identity theft protectors, can you imagine what a good marketing plan can do for those who actually have convictions and adhere to them?
Design Is…
In your own words, what is “design”?
Comfort. Something that makes me feel at home.
What is the purpose of design?
Design opens the door for people to get to know you. It invites them in. For example, a Facebook photo brands you; it shows people your face and gives them a certain feeling about you even before they know you.
Have you ever contracted a professional designer?
I actually worked with a design company a few years ago as a business consultant. They were having a lot of trouble communicating with one of their clients, so I came in and had their problems solved in a matter of hours. Communication always seems to be the biggest issue.
Business Processes
What is the most successful business process you have seen or implemented?
How you market yourself, the branding and consistency.
What measurable results from design would be most meaningful to you?
Response; not sales, because that is left completely to how you implement it. But, how many people you get to connect with you because of design. Design should catch people’s attention; make them take a second look and bring them in the door.
Thanks, Cindy!
It is always a wonderful experience talking with Cindy. She has so much knowledge to share, my head is left spinning (in a good way) every time I chat with her. Thanks again for helping me out with this research project!