Ep. 61 – Give Back to Comeback – with Cindi Busenhart
This episode is part of the Comeback Series, which features Entrepreneurs who have experienced a major setback and then successfully pivoted to something different, bigger, and more impactful.
Today’s guest, Cindi Busenhart, is the Founder & CEO of MERGE4, one of the most exciting action sports sock brands in the world. Before Founding MERGE4, she was President of Sessions and Este, one of the original snowboard brands on the market.
Sessions went through a few difficulties in the ‘00s. The bulk of their snow wear started shipping on September 1st, and the events of 9/11 caused many stores to cancel their shipments. Nobody wanted to get on a plane and fly to a resort. A few years later, the global financial crisis took another toll.
While weathering these challenges, community was hugely important for Cindi and the company. Community is important when we’re thriving, but it’s critical when we’re facing adversity.
“Persistence trumps brilliance almost every time.”
When we experience these moments of adversity, it’s also important to be persistent. Even in the most difficult times, there is opportunity if you’re willing to look for it. If, on top of that, you can continue to believe in yourself and your passion, your positive outlook will reap greater opportunity.
Cindi tries to persistently keep a positive outlook because she believes that if you want to get something, you have to give it. This can be positivity, support, or even health.
Cindi lives this belief. When her brother was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that shut down his kidneys, she persisted to jump through every hoop put in front of her so that she would be allowed to donate a kidney. “It was hard for us, but there was never a moment that I didn’t think I could do it.”
Because of her extreme giving, Cindi got what she wanted: her brother’s health.
Cindi applies this same giving philosophy to MERGE4. In addition to fostering a positive community, they are a B Corp, which means they are a for-profit company certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. They are dedicated to providing cool socks to children, teens, and those receiving extended treatment in hospitals.
“If you want to get something, give it.”
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Resources:
- Connect with Cindi: LinkedIn
- Pick up some MERGE4 socks
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Production & Development for The Impact Entrepreneur Show by Podcast Masters