Lucinda Yates

Biography

Lucinda Yates, the founder and CEO of Designs By Lucinda was born with the heart and passion of a true entrepreneur. At the age 9 she was organizing neighborhood carnivals to raise money for Cerebral Palsy (a disability suffered by her sister).

Given her natural instinct to be a successful entrepreneur coupled with her desire to help others, it is no surprise that she founded a company built on helping non-profits.

Lucinda Yates was always -- and still is -- known to be a uniquely creative person with a strong sense of purpose and direction. In the early 1980`s due to unforeseen circumstances Lucinda and her young daughter found themselves homeless.

Knowing there was something she could do to help herself overcome poverty and homelessness, Lucinda used her creativity and drive to launch a successful line of fashion jewelry. One day she designed a simple pin in the shape of a house. That was the moment Lucinda knew she could help others. After 20 years, we still refer to this as the Eureka moment.

The first House Pins would become the perfect fundraiser for a local shelter. The idea behind the pin was to raise money for the homeless, and at the same time, create a greater awareness of homelessness in her community. The pin was a success on both counts. Lucinda`s experience of homelessness would come full circle and a company with a conscience was born... Designs by Lucinda.

Today Lucinda continues to be actively involved in the company. She also travels throughout the United States speaking and inspiring audiences wherever she goes.

Titles

Inspirational Entrepreneur

Awarded Best Small Business Out of the Box by UPS, Lucinda Yates` start-up company grew from selling a handful of handmade pins to selling 4 million pins that have raised over $25 million for non profits.

With her "dare to make a difference" attitude, Lucinda shows audiences the strategies she used to overcome obstacles and how to apply those same practical strategies to your organization`s needs.

Success Story

Lucinda`s unique insight into overcoming obstacles and challenges in order to achieve both personal and corporate success is inspiring and educational. With her direct approach to handling problems, Lucinda empowers audiences and inspires employees to "image their next best self".

Philanthropist

Featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Lucinda`s pin sales not only saved her from poverty, but raised both awareness and millions for non-profit organizations. With integrity and passion, Lucinda looks beyond the bottom line to give others a chance at opportunity and success. Her story reveals her path to homelessness to her realization that you are only one choice away from changing the world.