Sasha Cady

Coming from where I started, with all the odds that were stacked against me, I had every reason to be a statistic with my kids. To go from retail production to the automotive industry and all the experiences that I've had, just standing here today stronger than ever is my greatest accomplishment. Very early on in my career, I was blessed with a very good mentor named Mitch who taught training within industry. That was a course I took when I was very young, and he lit a spark in me that lasted for years. He had such an impact on me that for years when I needed guidance in my career or outside of the job, I would always say, what would Mitch do? I lived 10 years in domestic violence, and through some really tragic life events, I spent 2 months with someone I loved at Vanderbilt Hospital. That was the first time I opened a Bible, and it brought me back to the beginning of my career when I was first called to that. Where I have come in my life at this point gives you a feeling of being unstoppable, because there is literally nothing you can't come back from if you have the will to do so. Challenges strengthen you - you can combat anything.

The best guidance I received came from my mentor Mitch, who taught training within industry early in my career. Just a week prior to this interview, I had written a piece about how my life has come full circle over the last 6 months. Mitch ignited a spark in me 20 years ago, lighting the path towards Christ. It wasn't until I was brought to my knees a couple years ago that I finally surrendered. He's retiring now, but looking back on it, I would say he was a follower of Christ, and he lit that spark in me. For years, I didn't really know what to call it other than a spark. What greater service can you give in life than to light the way for others? That's what he did for me, and that's what I want to do for others now.

If you got a dream, don't give up on it. When I was young, my goal since I was very young was to be in public speaking. I went through so much that I knew if I ever come out of this, I'm gonna help people change their lives. Here we are 20 years later, and I do see opportunities unfolding. I would say, just never give up on what you believe in. Believe in yourself. Never give up on what you believe you can do. Learn as much as you can. You can't ever put yourself in a box. You can do so much through just hard work, creativity, and that drive. You can stand next to anybody, even if you don't have a degree. I reached a point prior to COVID where so much of my counterparts were either military experienced men, or men with engineering degrees, but through hard work I was able to stand alongside them.

Sasha will be jumping in to add more detail pertaining to her inspirations and motivation in her career, How she would like to connect with other incredible women within our community and how she would like to inspire our readers. She will also add detail regarding how she first used her career expanding and what she would like to see evolve as far as her connections and growth for her future, her interests and hobbies outside of work and any other details you like to add regarding people who have supported her or how she has helped to uplift herself as an incredibly inspiring and driven individual.

Definitely my children come first. I just welcomed my first grandchild through all of that, along with my new son-in-law. I call them my starting five. I was a single mom, and every single mess that I went through, they were right beside me. They were the only ones that were right beside me through it all, and they're great kids. Integrity and authenticity are also incredibly important to me. I'm a firm believer in just being authentic. None of us are perfect. It's better to be exactly who you are than to pretend to be someone else - right, wrong, or indifferent, be yourself. And just never giving up. Where I have come in my life at this point does give you a feeling of being unstoppable, because there is literally nothing you can't come back from if you have the will to do so. Challenges strengthen you.