Meet Cindy Waddle
In today’s purpose-driven business landscape, Cindy Waddle stands out as a leader who has seamlessly woven personal experience, professional expertise, and heartfelt vision into a company that uplifts lives. Based in Parker, Colorado, Cindy is the Founder and CEO of Dezire to Inspire, LLC, a mission-led brand creating inspirational card sets and wellness products designed to bring comfort, encouragement, and daily hope. Her story bridges nearly 40 years of distinguished federal service in human resources with a new chapter in entrepreneurship, proving that leadership is not defined by degrees or titles but by the impact we leave behind. Rising to senior leadership roles at the U.S. Mint without a college degree, Cindy built her career on determination, resilience, and people-first leadership. What began as a heartfelt gesture to support a grieving family has now grown into a mission-driven enterprise touching countless lives worldwide.
Where It All Began: A Life Rooted in Service
Cindy Waddle’s story begins in Parker, Colorado, where she and her husband Randy have built a life together for more than four decades. Married for 43 years, their journey has been marked by resilience, devotion, and a shared spirit of service. Randy dedicated 24 years to military service, which meant years of moving, adapting, and experiencing life across the globe. Together, they raised their son Brandon, whom Cindy often describes as a blessing beyond measure.
This foundation of family and service would become the compass guiding Cindy through every stage of her professional and personal journey. Discover more about Cindy here.
Building a Federal Career Against the Odds
Cindy’s professional life was defined by perseverance and determination. Without a college degree, she carved out a 38-year career in federal service, primarily within human resources. Her rise through the ranks was anything but ordinary. She began her career with the Department of Defense and later took on leadership roles in the Department of the Interior before moving to the U.S. Mint.
Her tenure included managing HR operations at the Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco Mints often overseeing multiple offices simultaneously. With each challenge, Cindy proved that commitment, integrity, and people-first leadership could outweigh credentials. By the time she retired, Cindy had achieved the GS-14 level, just one step below the top of the federal scale. For her, it was not merely a career milestone but evidence that grit and leadership can break barriers.
As she once reflected: “I proved that passion, persistence, and people skills can open doors that credentials alone cannot.”
The Turning Point: From HR to Healing
Cindy’s professional transition was deeply personal. The defining moment came during her time as a hospice volunteer, when she formed a profound connection with a patient and her two daughters. Recognizing their need for comfort, Cindy handwrote 365 cards filled with wisdom, inspiration, and cherished memories. At the funeral, she presented each daughter with a set of cards. Later, their grandmother told Cindy, “You changed their lives.” That experience ignited a spark that would transform into a life’s mission.
As Cindy explains, “I created a card for every day of the year, filled with wisdom and memories from their mother. At her funeral, I presented both daughters a set of cards with different messages so they could share with one another. A month later, their grandmother told me, ‘You changed their lives.’ That’s when I knew I had to do this for more people.”
What began as a single act of compassion grew into the foundation for Dezire to Inspire, LLC.
Founding Dezire to Inspire
In 2021, Cindy turned her twelve-year dream into reality by launching Dezire to Inspire. The company produces inspirational card sets, flip books, and wellness-focused products designed to uplift and encourage. Unlike traditional greeting cards meant for one-time occasions, Cindy’s sets provide ongoing encouragement in 30-, 60-, 90-, and 365-day formats. Explore more here.
Cindy has said, “My vision for this company is to help you shine a light on the happiest moments in life or show empathy for the most challenging times in life.”
Her catalog now includes more than 28 themed sets that cover life’s milestones and challenges, from celebrating friendships and marriages to providing support for grief, PTSD, and mental wellness. Each set is professionally designed, packaged with care, and created with the intention of fostering daily connection and healing. Her belief is simple yet profound: that a few words, delivered with intention, can change a moment, a day, or even a life. Shop Cindy’s most uplifting cards here.
Expanding the Mission
What started with two grieving daughters has grown into a global movement. Cindy’s entrepreneurial journey has not only touched individuals but also expanded into workplaces, schools, and community spaces. Her products have been used to boost employee morale, provide comfort in healthcare facilities, and empower young people to embrace self-confidence and growth.
In her words: “At Dezire to Inspire, we believe in the power of words to uplift, inspire, encourage, and empower individuals to live their best lives.”
She has also introduced creative characters like Pip, Fizz, and Spud which are part of her vision to blend inspiration with storytelling for audiences of all ages. For Cindy, this chapter of her career has been about far more than business. It is a continuation of her lifelong mission of service, carried out in a new form. Discover more here.
Recognition and Partnerships
Cindy’s work has drawn national attention. She was recently profiled in Female Entrepreneurs Magazine, where her journey from federal HR to inspirational entrepreneurship was highlighted. Her company has also partnered with organizations like Big Brand Ventures to expand its reach and amplify its impact. This recognition and support validate the authenticity and impact of her mission. Reflecting on that partnership, Cindy shared:
“We are officially partnered with Big Brand Ventures to grow and expand our mission of touching lives through inspiration, healing, and hope. From the very first conversation, they’ve made us feel seen, valued, and supported. It’s rare to find a team that leads with both business brilliance and heart.”
A Philosophy of Service and Connection
Throughout her career and entrepreneurial journey, Cindy has been guided by a consistent philosophy: success is not defined by titles or degrees but by the lives we touch.
As she often reminds others, “Success is built not just on results but on the lives we touch and the legacy we leave behind.”
Her message resonates because it is rooted in lived experience, surviving personal hardships, rising through professional challenges, and turning grief into a legacy of healing.
Vision for the Future: A Legacy of Love and Encouragement
Cindy Waddle’s vision extends far beyond the present. As Dezire to Inspire continues to grow, she is committed to expanding its reach into more communities, schools, and workplaces around the world. Her dream is for every individual whether navigating grief, celebrating milestones, or simply needing a reminder of their worth to have access to daily encouragement.
“My mission is simple yet powerful: to leave lasting imprints on hearts, when people need it most.”
For Cindy, success is measured not in profit but in the lives touched and the legacies created. She believes that inspiration is universal, and her work is laying the foundation for a future where encouragement, healing, and connection are available to all.
Empowering Lessons from the Path of Cindy Waddle
- Small acts of compassion, like handwritten cards, can grow into movements that touch countless lives.
- Success is built not just on results, but on the lives we touch and the legacy we leave behind.
- Words, when delivered with intention, hold the power to comfort, uplift, and inspire resilience.
- Inspiration is not a one-time message; it is a daily practice of connection.
Connect with Cindy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deziretoinspire/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deziretoinspire/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/DeziretoInspire/?_rdc=1&_rdr#
Website: https://www.deziretoinspire.com/
Editorial Note: A Legacy of Service and Inspiration
Cindy Waddle’s journey demonstrates that leadership is not about titles but about transformation. From a distinguished federal career to founding Dezire to Inspire, she has turned personal experiences into a legacy of comfort, encouragement, and hope. Executives Diary is proud to highlight her story; one that reminds us all of the enduring power of service, compassion, and words that heal.
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