Giving Thanks with Abbey Cummins- #WCW

During this time of year, most of us reflect on what we're grateful for and how we can make a difference.

I'm grateful to have the opportunity to introduce my next Badass #WCW guest and friend, Abbey Cummins. This determined entrepreneur gives thanks over and over again. She makes it a personal goal to be impactful and influential within the community.

I first met Abbey while working at Cincy Magazine. She welcomed me with open arms and showed me the ropes of the advertising business. Since then, we have become great friends and just like any other entrepreneurs, we always find ourselves talking about ideas for future business collaborations.

Given her background in public relations and advertising, she is a natural with inspiring others to follow her lead. Her biggest strength is the power of persuasion, backed up with passion. This strength has made her very successful and will continue to do so.

Many qualities that Abbey holds align right with many successful "entrepreneur" qualities such as Passion, Strong Work Ethic, Confidence, Determination, Competitiveness, and an Open Mind.

Abbey has always been a strong advocate with inspiring me to pursue my passions and has always backed me up 100% of the way!

Abbey also dominates with a courageous personality and has one of the biggest hearts of anyone that I know! She has a passion for giving back and aims to inspire those who may not have many opportunities given their current situations.

Just like a typical "millennial," her 9-5 as the Advertising Director of Cincy Magazine isn't enough. She also continued with a side hustle working with a local radio station, Q102, for eight years. I'm also excited to announce her recent non-profit collaboration with two other colleagues, (Mark & Mike Dorris), the Leave Your Mark Foundation!

This foundation's mission is to inspire and empower children affected by the loss of a deceased or incarcerated parent/s. You can find more information here. If you're in the Cincinnati area around NYE, definitely check out their official launch party event, (a Royal Gatsby), with special musical guest, Lauren Eylise. More event info here.

When Abbey isn't slaying you can find her at a yoga studio, volunteering, or spending time with family/friends.

I invite you to learn more about Abbey's inspirations, her new business collaboration, and advice!

1. What and or who inspired you to pursue your dream (s) of your new business venture? "I am inspired by everyday life. By knowing what I want to achieve while here and knowing all I have to do to get there is stay focused and humble! I love hearing about other people’s stories and what prompted them to “go after it”! I am far from achieving my end result but am learning along to way, networking and slowly but surely attacking that go after it type of mindset"!

2. Tell us about your new business collaboration. "I’m very excited to collaborate with Mark and Mike Dorris on the Leave Your Mark Foundation. This has been a vision of theirs for a while now and I am honored to be a part of it and help bring that vision to life!

The mission of the Leave Your Mark Foundation is to inspire and empower children raised in a single-parent household due to death or incarceration. We also aim to be a helpful resource to single parents or relatives raising these children. The TriState area is where I’ve been born and raised. I am very excited to give back to the community and those in need! The smallest act of kindness can change someone’s day and that’s exactly what we are after. We want these children to know their worth, to love themselves and to help them to thrive in their lives. I am very excited to announce we are hosting the launch gala on NYE and all funds will help bring this vision and mission to life! We have lots of other plans and events that will be implemented in the near future so stay tuned for more details of how you can help spread love and leave your mark"!

3. How would you describe your lifestyle now? What do you do for fun in Cincy?

"I would say my current lifestyle is very BUSY! I work as the advertising director for Cincy Magazine. With that comes lots and lots of events, client engagements, grand openings and networking! I am also involved in a lot of nonprofit work which I thoroughly enjoy and which also keeps me very busy! When I do have the free time I enjoy being with friends and family. I love trying new restaurants in Cincinnati and just being around the people I love! Cincinnati and NKY has so much to offer and I love being a part of it all"!

4. Briefly, explain your job role/history and what you do now. Any Side Hustles?

"I have worked in media for a while now. I worked for Q102 for 8 years! I currently have worked for Cincy Magazine for the past six years and have held many different roles. I am currently the Advertising Director for Cincy Magazine! Working in media is so much fun and something I genuinely love. I also AirBnB a portion of my home to bring in some extra cash! I always state that if you only have one means of income while young, you need to do more. Work hard now so later in life you can live stress-free"!

5. What advice would you give someone looking to quit their job/ explore new opportunities and follow their dreams? "DO IT! You have one life to live and if you never take that chance you may always look back with regret. We’ve heard so many stories of celebrities, athletes and those in the public eye saying they failed multiple times before achieving where they are now. Don’t be afraid of failure and don’t let the thought of it stop you from living your best life"!

6. I understand that giving back is important to you. Please elaborate on which organizations you're involved with, your role, etc. "Giving back has always been a passion of mine. Helping to make people smile is a feeling like no other. I set a goal for myself in 2018 that in 2019 I would put more effort and time into my community. I love working with children and knew I wanted to get involved with an organization (s) who help impact the lives of children who are in need.

I was invited to join the ambassador board for the Children’s Home in February 2019. This has been a blessing like no other and has led to several other opportunities. As stated above I am also involved in the Leave Your Mark foundation and having the opportunity to help launch a foundation from the ground up is extremely gratifying. This takes a lot of time, patience and commitment and I am very excited for the future of this organization.

Throughout the year I also volunteer and help out organizations like Bigger Than Sneakers, the Talbert House and the Ken Anderson Alliance. I have also organized campaigns on my own or with the help of friends like the Blessing Bags campaign in 2018. These bags were passed out to homeless men, women, children, and pets in the Cincinnati area. In 2019 in collaboration with HoopNerdz we were able to prepare students for the new school year with book bags, school supplies and more! It truly is an honor to be able to be a part of so many great initiatives. I challenge you to get more involved, it is something you will never regret"!

7. What are your hobbies/ where can we catch you on your off day?

"I love to be around family and friends! I love hosting gatherings, grilling out and being outside when the weather is nice! I am a huge sports fan so you can definitely find me at a game! I also love to try new restaurants in the area, going shopping and drinking wine! I’m very competitive so I love a good game night with friends. I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by working out and have been more involved with yoga. I’m very open to trying anything once as we only have one life here"!

8. What is your take on Positive Vibes, Positive Life? "I thoroughly believe in this. I feel like you have to speak things into existence. I am an over-thinker and analyzer which is definitely something I am working on. I will assume the worst and make a situation out of nothing. It is definitely a flaw of mine but I am 100% trying to keep that positive vibes, positive life mantra in my mind. I feel like you attract what you believe in and what you feel. Life is all about energy and I truly believe people can feel one another’s. One way I am working on this is by reciting positive affirmations daily. It is easy to get down on yourself and what you are going through but I’m learning that the easiest way to overcome this is to trust God and live in the knowing"!

9. If you had 1 day to do anything that you wanted, what would you do? "This is such a hard question because there is so much that I would want to cram into one day! I am a very active and outgoing person so I would definitely want to be busy all day making memories with those I love! I have always wanted a family of my own so if I had the option for one day to do anything I wanted I think I would have to say spend it with my future husband and children! I feel like most would say skydiving, go to the beach, etc. but ultimately one of my life goals is to be a wife and mom. I can’t think of a better way to spend time making memories with them if I had only one day"!

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? "This is a tough one! In five years, I will be in my late 30’s, WOW! I’m very passionate about giving back and working with nonprofits. Two that I am currently working with are the Children’s Home of Cincinnati and the Leave Your Mark Foundation. I hope I am still a part of both organizations! I would also love to be the owner of a company that represents an idea I’ve had for quite some time now. My main goal is to continue giving back in any way that I can and just being a good, humble person. Having a family of my own would also be a major blessing. I am a firm believer that God has a plan for me and his timing will never fail me"!

🙏 Thank you Abbey for being such a great community advocate and friend!

😎 Follow Abbey on Insta here

❓ Get in touch and learn more about Leave Your Mark here

📝 Interested in Collaborating with Cincy Magazine? Message Abbey on FB here