Bosa Sebele once said, “There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise.” Cindy Monroe is a living example of this. A leadership mentor and founder of one of America’s leading direct-selling companies, Thirty-One Gifts, Monroe’s story is a testament to how far determination and hard work can take you.

Born and raised in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, Monroe’s life started in typical fashion. She worked through high school and college, attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). After graduating, she worked in marketing and product development while raising a family with her husband, Scott.

It was during this time that Monroe listened to her entrepreneurial spirit. With an idea for a gift catalog company, she decided to take a leap of faith and founded Thirty-One Gifts in her basement in 2003.

She named the company after Proverbs 31:10-31, which discusses the virtues of a godly woman and hard work. With the desire to celebrate, encourage, and reward women, Monroe created a platform that would empower them to thrive in business while being able to balance their work with family life. Monroe’s passion for leadership and mentoring has led Thirty-One Gifts to success.

During her time as CEO, the company reached nearly $800 million in sales, with more than 100,000 independent consultants throughout the U.S. and Canada and over 1,000 employees.

Monroe has seen many women experience an increase in self-confidence due to their success with the company. Despite her professional achievements, she remains humble and prioritizes spending quality time with her family and loved ones, which she knows many female entrepreneurs struggle with.

Today as Thirty-One’s founder and executive chairwoman, Monroe is also an author, podcast host, and leadership mentor. She is dedicated to helping women in business flourish at both work and home. She shares strategies around setting intentions, casting your vision, mapping your goals, and driving to achieve those goals.

Cindy Monroe has gone from being a mompreneur with no entrepreneurial experience to one of the most influential women in leadership. To witness her inspiring journey and learn more about her strategies that can help you flourish in your personal and professional life, visit her website, or follow her on Instagram.