Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy O’Shea.
Hi Cindy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always said I do not go looking for opportunities, they find me. And it is my job to be open to receiving them.
And, if you looked at my career reinventions, you can see I am open to a lot!
This new venture started one day when I thought my eyes had deceived me, I saw an actual floating tiki bar cruise by! Two days later, it was docked by my house… and another new opportunity began! Newport Beach Tikis started with one one-of-a-kind floating tiki bar and we made it the most unique experience on Newport Harbor!
I knew this business was about creating Joy! I fell in love with the tikis! So, I jumped in to help build the business.
End result – we are growing and helped spread so much joy during the lockdown.
Learning and creating joy is what I am all about.
I have an insatiable appetite to learn. After college, I became a flight attendant because travel is the BEST education! Quickly, I knew I had to keep myself growing with opportunities where I would learn. I worked for Unilever calling on doctors, and not long after, I wanted to learn more!
Curiosity about technology brought me to Apple Retail. I was on one of the original teams who opened the first retail store in San Francisco. It was a huge learning curve switching to tech and learning such diverse apps. Eventually, I taught these same apps in the store theater to new users like me!
Switched it up, and moved to NYC to work for a German music software company.
Again, I had never made music or played music. I always say I was an evangelist of the end product because it brought so many artists Joy.
Then, reinvent again! I moved back to California and landed the Marketing Team Leader position for Whole Foods Market opening new stores in Orange County. I followed my yearning to learn again. I have always been a Whole Foods Market devotee.
I have worked in so many industries that I had no knowledge or experience in. It always seemed to lead me to the next opportunity.
I decided to start my own marketing and business development business, Mind Shift Management and Marketing, and that inspired me to find my own clients. It gave me the flexibility to learn many industries and be open to whatever came my way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I moved to four different cities and started all-new adventures. Challenges were accepted. I was once told I can be spicy! Almost like, doubt me and I will show you!
With that said, the challenges were never insurmountable. I mean, I never tried to become a neurosurgeon! I knew I could overcome anything as long as I had common sense about it!
But, with new adventures come financial risks, life changes, and always some failures! Fail forward! Always forward.
My current business began with so many challenges it started to overwhelm us. But, we played the long game. We knew this would work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Newport Beach Tikis?
When we launched this unique idea, we knew this boating experience would be something that let people escape from their worries for a few hours and bring back some joy. Everything we do is geared to make it a happy experience. It worked.
During the pandemic, we were able to continue to operate and get people out on the water safely and with ease. Everyone Boards the tiki excitedly, and leaves full of Joy! Our dream became reality.
The marine industry is small. This was an experiment and it worked. I hope we made people see it can look different and be innovative. I say this often, there is enough business for everyone. But that also means everyone has to do it well. We know that is not always the case. Continue to offer the most, and you will receive the most.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
We just acquired the perfect space in Newport Beach and an exciting partnership opportunity with a large corporation! Our next goal is in sight!
Meanwhile, this has sparked a desire to keep building businesses, share how we did it, and then sell.There is always more joy to create.
Strategy, branding, building a business, and partnerships all excite me. As corny as it sounds, if a product, service, event, or partnership does not create some joy for our customers, team, partners and myself, I can’t imagine doing it.
Pricing:
- $399 for a one of a kind floating tiki bar
Contact Info:
- Website: Newportbeachtikis.com
- Instagram: @newportbeachtikis
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewportBeachTikis
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newportbeachtikis/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/newport-beach-tikis-newport-beach
- Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g32780-d15184710-Reviews-Newport_Beach_Tikis-Newport_Beach_California.html
