There is great power in “AND” vs. “BUT,” Strategic Staffing Solutions CEO Cindy Pasky told the Detroit Economic Club’s Young Leaders during a speech at Eastern Market in Detroit. S³ interns were among the 50 or so in attendance.
S3 CEO Cindy Pasky speaks to DEC Young Leaders Series at Eastern Market
“Never put a barrier up in front of you,” Pasky said. In order to win, she believes you must work hard and outwork your competition. She did just that when she started S³ 24 years ago with little to no resources and has grown the company to roughly a quarter billion dollars.
A keystone of her speech was that there are three life lessons to achieve success:
- Who are you looking to serve?
- Why are you providing that service?
- What’s the best way to execute the service?
Pasky also spoke about her struggles growing up. She said Eastern Market was her refuge and that she able to buy large portions of food for a cheap price.
Khalil Naim showcases accessory company
At the conclusion of the talk, those attending had the opportunity to check out some Eastern Market vendors. Eastern Market veteran Khalil Naim of Creator of Unique Designs was one of them. Khalil says he’s been in business for more than 15 years with his African-inspired accessory company. His continued mission is to inspire people through his accessories.
“I like designing things and I like what I do. I was once told, ‘find a job you like and you will not see it as work,'” he said.
L to R: S3 interns James Maier, Ashley Terry, Evan Taylor, Jamie Wheatley, Frank Hope, Natasha Modi
Khalil credits his longevity to persevering over challenges and not giving up. Eastern Market is not only a place for vendors to sell products but a mecca for hope and an important hub of the Detroit community.
For more information on the DEC Young Leaders Series, click here. For more information about Easter Market, click here.
Since its inception in 2011, the DEC Young Leaders Series is held approximately every month at Eastern Market. The series has its DEC board members speak about their company and experiences and offer tips in moving forward in chosen career fields. The Young Leaders are business professionals under the age of 36.
