Judith Cassis | Nine in Nine Interview

Welcome to our Nine in Nine Interview series, nine questions with a Chamber member presented in a nine minute or less read. 

It's a place to learn more about the inspiring people who help make the Mountain Communities such a unique place to live, through their business or nonprofit work!

In this interview, we take a few moments with author and coach Judith Cassis.  She is a dynamic go-getter who's always got something in the works!  She is currently the editor of The Mountain Breeze, founder and facilitator of the Mountain Communities Women in Business group, author, ghostwriter, and workshop leader. 


MCCOC: Hi Judith!  You have so many activities going on, and are interconnected to many groups here in the Mountain Communities. We want everyone to get to know you better.  Tell us about your business!

Judith:  I have a split personality and two life's passions:

I am an author, a book coach and a New York Times/L.A. Times bestselling ghostwriter.  I've published nine anthologies, and I will soon be publishing a book of stories from members of our mountain communities.  Side note: To be considered for publication, all you need is a personal story about your life on the mountain.

My other passion is people.  An entrepreneur straight out of college, I am a strong supporter of other small business owners.  I have been speaking to groups and presenting workshops for entrepreneurs since 2003.  In 2010, my husband and I began producing home-based and small business expos.


MCCOC:  How did you get into the industry?

Judith:  As for my work with entrepreneurs, things just came together.  With a background in marketing and entrepreneurship, I began writing for clients and associates and my business grew organically from there.  A lot of the writing I do is for global trainers and speakers and I've gained access to knowledge I may not otherwise have had.  I love passing it along.

I am a connector by nature.  In 2003, I was a founding member of the SCV Business Group, the largest networking organization in Santa Clarita and I served as Vice President of the Castaic Chamber of Commerce for several years.


MCCOC:  What's the best thing about being in business in the Mountain Communities:

Judith:  I love our mountain communities and I present several workshops and mountain retreats here.  I love the eclectic people of the mountain, the diversity and authenticity.


MCCOC:  What has given you the most satisfaction in business?

Judith:  Being able to work one-on-one with both entrepreneurs and writers brings me major satisfaction.  I love sharing what I have learned along the way.  Nothing makes me happier than watching someone thrive, doing what they love.


MCCOC:  Who are your business icons or inspirations?

Judith:  My first inspiration was Tony Robbins.  I was captivated by his belief that anything was possible for anyone.  If he believed that about me, I felt I could believe it too.  And so I did.

I also loved the late Wayne Dyer.  I was most inspired by the story of how, when the publisher refused to promote his first book, Your Erroneous Zones, he bought them up and traveled the country, selling them from the trunk of his car.  

Both Tony Robbins and Wayne Dyer grew up with limited resources and yet both built successful businesses.  More than that, they changed the world by stepping up and speaking out.


MCCOC:  What has been your biggest challenge in business, and how did you surmount it?

Judith:  My biggest challenge in business (in life actually) has been getting out of my own way.  I can be my worst saboteur!  I move through it with positive self-talk.


MCCOC:  Work-Life balance: is it possible?  How do you achieve it?

Judith:  I love what I do, so the boundaries between my work and personal life are somewhat fused.  To maintain balance, I try to remind myself to take time off, even when I don't think I need it, just to "do me" for a while.


MCCOC:  What is the first thing you do every day?

Judith:  The first thing I do is take a deep breath and express gratitude for the new day.  Whatever will be, will be.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to be alive.  And...sometimes I have to just suck it up.  Then I make my coffee.  


MCCOC:  What advice would you give to someone starting out in business?

Judith:  The best advice I can give someone starting out in business is this:  Follow your heart and pay close attention to your intuition.  Listen to yourself and trust, because all the answers you will ever need are inside of you.


MCCOC:  Your words are inspiring, and we know so many gain motivation and internal strengthfrom your workshops and guidance.  Thank you so much for everything you do to support the Chamber of Commerce activities, to help build up our entrepreneurs, creatives, and artisans.  I appreciate your time today Judith!