Cheri Baugh Woods

I attribute my success first and foremost to God, my faith, and the purpose I believe He has given me. Staying grounded in my beliefs has been the foundation of my life, and that foundation began with my parents, who instilled faith, integrity, and perseverance in me from an early age.

My parents remain my greatest influence, and the values they taught me continue to guide my decisions today. I am also grateful for the support and encouragement of my brothers, family members, mentors, and friends who have helped shape my journey along the way.

Another key to my success has been a commitment to lifelong learning and the determination to keep moving forward, even through life's most difficult challenges. My experiences have taught me that everything can change in an instant, which has given me a deep appreciation for humility, gratitude, and grace.

Above all, I recognize that every opportunity is a gift. Whether through my writing, speaking, or personal interactions, I strive to use those opportunities to encourage others, share hope, and remind people that even in the midst of adversity, miracles still happen.

The best career advice I have ever received is to be true to yourself and communicate openly and honestly. Those principles have served me well not only in my career, but in every area of life.

My late husband shared a piece of wisdom that has stayed with me for years: "Listen to learn, and learn to listen." At first, those phrases may sound the same, but they are very different. Many people listen only long enough to prepare their next response. Truly listening to learn means setting aside your own agenda and genuinely seeking to understand another person's perspective.

That advice has influenced how I taught students, worked with colleagues, built relationships, and now how I connect with audiences as an author and speaker. I've learned that some of life's greatest lessons come not from what we say, but from what we are willing to hear.

When we remain authentic, communicate clearly, and listen with the intention of understanding, we create stronger relationships, better opportunities, and a greater ability to positively impact the lives of others.

My advice to women entering the author, speaking, and entrepreneurial space is simple: Go for it. Your story matters, your voice matters, and your experiences have value.

Know who you are and stay true to your values. Don't wait until you feel perfectly qualified or have everything figured out. Keep learning, keep growing, and have the courage to take the next step, even when it's uncomfortable.

Build meaningful relationships and support other women along the way. Success is not about competing with one another; it's about encouraging, collaborating, and helping each other rise. Be willing to speak up, share your ideas, and let your voice be heard.

Most importantly, be resilient. There will be setbacks, disappointments, and challenges, but those moments do not define you. Learn from them, adapt, and keep moving forward. I often say it's better to be bendable than breakable.

Throughout your journey, hold on to the qualities that truly matter: integrity, accountability, reliability, gratitude, courage, and a positive attitude. When you combine those qualities with perseverance and faith, there is no limit to the impact you can make.

Believe in yourself, embrace your purpose, and never underestimate the power of your story to change someone's life.

For many authors and speakers, there is also a steep learning curve. Beyond writing a book or developing a presentation, you must learn marketing, branding, networking, technology, social media, and increasingly, how to navigate the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence. Balancing these demands while maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be difficult.

Another challenge is redefining yourself when transitioning from one career to another. After spending 29 years in education, I had to establish credibility in a completely different space as an author and speaker. That requires confidence, persistence, and a willingness to keep showing up even when the path isn't always clear.

At the same time, I believe there are tremendous opportunities. Technology has made it possible to connect with audiences around the world, share stories that inspire hope, and build meaningful communities without geographic limitations. People are searching for authentic voices and real-life experiences, and that creates opportunities for individuals who are willing to share their stories with honesty, purpose, and heart.

For me, the greatest opportunity is helping others discover hope through my own journey and reminding them that even in life's most difficult moments, miracles still happen.

The values that guide both my work and personal life begin with faith, integrity, and respect for others. I believe in being honest, accountable, reliable, and treating every person with kindness and dignity. Whether I'm working with colleagues, speaking to an audience, or spending time with family and friends, I want people to know they can trust me to follow through on my commitments.

I also value clear communication, teamwork, and excellence. I believe we achieve more when we collaborate, recognize one another's strengths, and encourage each other to succeed. No one is meant to do life alone, and some of our greatest accomplishments happen when we work together.

Adaptability and resilience are equally important to me. Life rarely unfolds exactly as planned, and I've learned through personal challenges that it's better to be bendable than breakable. I try to approach difficulties with a positive attitude, looking for lessons, growth opportunities, and reasons to remain hopeful even during hard seasons.

One lesson that has stayed with me came from my late husband, who often said, "Listen to learn, and learn to listen." That wisdom has shaped how I interact with others. Truly listening is one of the greatest gifts we can give someone.

Above all, I strive to live with gratitude, courage, and a servant's heart. My goal is to encourage others, help them recognize their own strengths, and leave every person and situation a little better than I found it.