Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Peterson.
Hi Cynthia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
For most of my life, I would have told you that I wasn’t creative. I’ve always been a lover of the arts, enjoying museums, poetry, and, live music, but I never saw myself as part of the creative community. In my mind, creatives were painters, poets, musicians, and other artists.
It wasn’t until a good friend challenged that thinking that I began to see myself differently. He pointed out how creativity shows up in my life, from conceptualizing experiences and developing content to challenging traditional approaches and imagining new possibilities. I realized creativity isn’t limited to the arts. Sometimes it’s about seeing what doesn’t exist yet and having the courage to bring it to life.
That’s exactly what I’ve been doing with Out The Box (OTB) Productions.
After nearly three decades in child welfare and human services, I decided to invest my time and energy into growing OTB. My career provided opportunities to lead national initiatives, bring people together, and create meaningful experiences and the very skills that continue to shape my entrepreneurial journey.
Today, OTB curates experiences that inspire wellness, joy, connection, and community. From intimate reflection gatherings to retreats and excursions, I create opportunities for women to step away from everyday responsibilities and reconnect with themselves.
I’m also developing a marketplace connecting event hosts with trusted event professionals, particularly women- and minority-owned businesses that don’t always receive the visibility or opportunities they deserve. I want to help create more seats at the table.
I once thought I simply appreciated creativity. Today, I recognize that I’m a creative entrepreneur, using my imagination to create experiences, connections, and opportunities for others.
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?
Being the boss is both a gift and a curse! As a solo entrepreneur, I enjoy the freedom to make decisions, explore new ideas, and build a business that reflects my values. But that freedom comes with tremendous responsibility. There isn’t a team of people behind the scenes to share the workload or help navigate every challenge. From strategy and finances to marketing, partnerships, and event execution, much of the responsibility rests with me.
One of my biggest lessons has been recognizing that just because I can do something doesn’t mean I should do everything. I’m learning to delegate when feasible, seek guidance, leverage relationships, and be intentional about how I spend my time.
I’ve also been navigating entrepreneurship alongside significant personal transitions, including caregiving responsibilities, the loss of my mother, and the transition from a long corporate career. These experiences have reinforced the importance of the very wellness principles that OTB promotes.
I talk about prioritizing yourself, protecting your peace, setting boundaries, and making room for joy. As an entrepreneur, I have to practice those principles daily. That means protecting time on my calendar, giving myself permission to rest, saying no to opportunities that aren’t aligned, and recognizing when I need support.
Entrepreneurship has challenged me to think differently about success. I’m intentionally building a business that is meaningful, financially sustainable, and aligned with the life I want to live, without sacrificing my well-being in the process.
I’m proud that most days I get the balance right. OTB gives me the opportunity to build a business around the principles that have become important to me, rather than compromising those principles in pursuit of success. I’m learning that entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a successful business; it’s also about creating a life that reflects what matters most.
As you know, we’re big fans of Out The Box Productions. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Out The Box (OTB) Productions is an experience-curation business specializing in wellness-centered gatherings, excursions, and meaningful community connections. Our experiences are designed primarily for women 40 and over who spend much of their time balancing professional, family, and personal responsibilities, often placing themselves last, if at all, on the list of priorities.
Through intimate gatherings, wellness retreats, and social excursions, OTB creates opportunities for women to relax, recharge, reconnect, and have a little fun along the way. What sets OTB apart is our intentional approach to curating experiences that encourage women to prioritize themselves, embrace new opportunities, and build meaningful connections with like-minded women.
At OTB, we believe wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s simply giving yourself permission to take a day for yourself, enjoy something new, and reconnect with what brings you joy.
We don’t just bring women together; we create moments that inspire them to live more intentionally.
What matters most to you? Why?
Living intentionally, creating meaningful connections, and leaving a legacy through the way I live are what matter most to me.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate that life isn’t simply about checking boxes, meeting expectations, or accomplishing the next big thing. It’s about making conscious choices that reflect what matters to you, creating space for joy, nurturing relationships, and being present for the moments that make life meaningful.
I’ve also been learning more about my family’s entrepreneurial history. I come from generations of business owners and strong women who demonstrated leadership, independence, and determination long before I fully understood the significance of their examples.
That history has shaped how I think about legacy. I believe legacy isn’t only about what we leave behind; it’s also about what we model every day.
My daughter is entering her second year as an entrepreneur, building a bridal beauty business that provides professional hair and makeup services throughout the DMV. As her mom, I take great pride in encouraging her to trust her talents, charge her worth, protect her time, and build a business that serves her customers while prioritizing her own health and well-being.
I want my daughter and granddaughter to see me taking risks, investing in myself, prioritizing my well-being, and having the courage to pursue something meaningful, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
I tell my daughter all the time, “How can you expect other people to invest in you if you’re not willing to invest in yourself?” We’re both building businesses rooted in our creativity, learning to trust our gifts, and defining success on our own terms. At this stage of my life, I’m embracing the opportunity to take risks, lead by example, and encourage her to do the same.
All bets are on us!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://otbproductions.biz/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyntisms/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-peterson-b0782422/
