Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Sullivan.
Hi Cindy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Like many, I am not a native Tennessean. I was born and raised in a small town in West Virginia. At the age of 5 I was gifted lessons of my choosing from my grandmother for my birthday. Little did she know that this would result in more than a decade of piano lessons and would kick off a love of music – both piano and singing that I still actively use today.
My first job after college was as a fashion merchandiser with the JC Penney company in Harrisonburg, VA. During a training class in Plano, TX, I met my (now) husband Tim who also worked there and we knew within about 3 weeks that we’d get married. He was based in Nashville so one of us had to move which is how I got to Tennessee. We’ve now been married almost 33 years, gone through career changes, and have two awesome boys.
For the past 20 years, I’ve been running my business as a productivity consultant and professional organizer, helping people manage all their “have to”s so they have more time for their “want to”s. It all began after a corporate layoff forced me to rethink my career. That unexpected change, paired with the gift of time to explore new possibilities, led me to build the business I’ve been growing ever since. During this time I started hearing about the professional organizing industry so joined the National Association of Productivity and Organizing (NAPO®). We didn’t have a local chapter so I took on the work of organizing others in our area and was the Founding President of the NAPO Nashville chapter.
People often ask how I got into this field. While working as a corporate trainer, I became certified to teach the Franklin Covey time management course within my company. That training came at a critical time – we had a toddler, we were new homeowners, my career was accelerating, and my husband was commuting three hours a day. Life felt overwhelming, and learning that there were practical strategies to manage time better really stuck with me. So, when I left corporate, I knew this was a topic I wanted to keep pursuing.
As I worked with clients from different professions and industries, I noticed that while everyone’s productivity challenges were unique, there were common areas that impacted us all. I became curious about what truly held people back and started exploring these themes more deeply with my clients. I’ve incorporated ongoing learning into my work – studying the issues that cause people to struggle to get organized. I got involved with the Institute for Challenging Disorganization® (ICD®), and international association that provides education, research, and strategies to those who work with or live with chronic disorganization. I was honored to have the opportunity to serve on ICD’s Board of Directors for 6 years, with two of those years in the role of President.
I consider myself to be continually curious about organization and time and have spent the years growing in my own knowledge as I work with clients. It was that curiosity that helped me recognize the six key areas that keep people productive and efficient. Those evolved into my Six Pillars and are the basis of my online productivity assessment and my book The Six Pillars of Productivity: Strategies to Organize the Time of Your Life which was published in 2023. I continue my work today coaching individuals and teams, training, and speaking and am working on some new initiatives to offer group courses, online training modules, and hopefully even a podcast.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been so many blessings and perks of working in a business that I love but the road hasn’t always been smooth. The most significant challenge I’ve faced recently was being diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 2024. It came out of the blue.
Our youngest son was soon to be a high schooler and my book was newly published so I’d set my sights on putting increased energy into my business and exploring new avenues to work with clients in group sessions and online in addition to my one-on-one coaching business. Now, I was faced with figuring out a medical plan of action and the fear and uncertainty that brought. Navigating surgery, treatment, and the slow journey of recovery has been physically and emotionally demanding. It forced me to practice what I teach – focusing on what matters most, managing my energy, and giving myself grace when productivity couldn’t look the way it used to. Of course, this is easier said than done. This season has deepened my empathy and perspective both as a coach and as a person.
I also learned first hand the difficulty of navigating a health crisis while also managing to run a business. Many don’t realize the time that is consumed with appointments, follow-ups, treatments, etc. I was also not prepared for the impact that the physical changes would have and for the difficult season after treatments eased up but I still felt myself in a phase that didn’t have me fully back to normal.
I know I can’t be alone in that struggle and my hope is that I will take all of these experiences I’ve been given and use them to help others. There are many resources that I found helpful when I want to deal with my diagnosis and my health. There are fewer that I found that could help me remain “ME” during the journey. I’d like to make that part of my mission going forward – to help others navigating big life events and use the skills of organization and time management to help them work through that time with more ease.
We’ve been impressed with cbSullivan Consulting & Organizing, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business focuses on helping busy professionals and organizations maximize their productivity through better time management, organization, and systems. As a productivity coach and Certified Professional Organizer®, I specialize in breaking down productivity challenges into practical solutions that fit each person’s work style and real life.
I’m known for my Six Pillars of Productivity framework, which guides clients to identify exactly where their productivity gaps are and address them systematically so they can finish their days feeling accomplished and in control. It can be clear to see what needs to be addressed when their is physical disorganization and clutter. It’s not as clear when its “time”. The Six Pillars help people clearly see where they are strong and where they could strengthen their skills to see results. What sets my work apart is that it goes beyond surface-level tips – I help clients build sustainable habits and mindsets that create lasting change. We work together to find solutions that are a fit for that person.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that my approach empowers people rather than making them feel judged or overwhelmed. I want readers to know that whether through coaching, speaking, or training, my goal is to help them use their time well so they can focus on what matters most in work and life. I know that life – and the minutes of every day – are a gift. I love helping them use that gift to the fullest!
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people who know me professionally don’t know that I’m a musician. I’ve played piano and sung most of my life, and music continues to be a source of creativity, calm, and joy for me. I regularly participate in both choir as well as modern worship services at my church.
Another thing people may not know is that despite being deeply organized in my work, I still have areas in my life that get cluttered, just like everyone else – and I think that keeps me relatable to my clients. In fact, many of the organizing fads and trends honestly don’t speak to me. I’m about keeping it real. Things don’t have to be perfect.
One last surprising fact – Even though my family all grew up together in WV, various unrelated circumstances brought my brother, sister, myself, and my mother all to live in the Nashville area. My brother was first by attending Belmont, my sister joined the army and got stationed at Ft Campbell, I met Tim who was living in Hendersonville so I moved to Nashville, and then my mother, who had gone back to nursing school, decided to move here upon graduation since we had all “landed” within the Nashville area. Crazy coincidence!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cbSullivanConsulting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindybsullivan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbSullivanConsulting
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindybsullivan/
- Other: https://books2read.com/u/bwBAZZ. (link to purchase my book)
