Cynthia Pazos: Why We Need More Women Founders & Here Is What We Are Doing To Make That Happen

An Interview With Vanessa Ogle

Encourage Female Mentorship: Women need more female mentors who have already navigated the challenges of starting a business. Hearing the stories and experiences of other women helps demystify the path to entrepreneurship, which can feel different depending on the industry and the individual. For example, when I first started, I sought advice from women who had gone through similar challenges, and their guidance helped me avoid common pitfalls.

As a part of our series about “Why We Need More Women Founders”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Cynthia Pazos.

Cynthia Pazos began her career in medical sales and founded Diabetes Management & Supplies (DMS) in 1997, later selling it in 2020. Under her leadership, DMS became one of the largest advanced insulin therapy distributors in the U.S. In 2021, she founded The Pazos Education Fund to support students with Type 1 Diabetes, and she co-founded Blossoming in Business, a conference empowering women entrepreneurs in New Orleans.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

One of the most interesting and pivotal moments in my career involved navigating a difficult early-stage partnership and working to reclaim full control of my company. Early on, I often underestimated my abilities and decided to partner with an experienced colleague to launch my business, but as we grew, he pushed for a larger share, claiming his financial backing made him more valuable. Unsure how to proceed, I sought legal guidance and, with my attorney’s help, set up a new company where I was the sole owner. This decision freed me to fully control and lead the business, which consistently turned a profit under my leadership. It was a pivotal moment that taught me the importance of trusting myself, utilizing my professional team for expert direction, and taking decisive action.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

The funniest mistake I made early on was trying to expand my first contract by bringing in other experienced people before I had even secured the deal! I naively believed we could all collaborate equally, but one person tried to take over everything and edge me out of my own project. They had a much larger company, while I was just starting out, as was the other company owner. That experience taught me a valuable lesson: to always look out for my own business first, and only consider collaboration once I’ve established a strong position.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Without a doubt, my father was the most influential person in getting me to where I am today. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and always dreamed of creating something he could sell. His example of independence inspired me to build my own company and direct my financial path. Throughout my journey, his endless emotional support gave me the courage and strength to push through difficult times. Even in his later years, as he battled dementia, he would ask me, ‘How is business?’ and tell me he loved me. One of my most cherished moments was telling my parents that I believed my business would succeed and that I’d never work for someone else again. They were so proud. My mother passed away unexpectedly three days later, and I’m forever grateful that I shared my feelings with them that day. It taught me the importance of expressing gratitude and appreciation while you still can.

On a professional level, my attorneys, Normand Pizza and Mag Bickford, and my CPA, Marjorie Corcoran, were my confidents as I navigated the regulatory and financial aspects of leading the business.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni had a significant impact on me. It taught me how to evaluate and strengthen my leadership team by fostering a stronger bond and focusing on collective success. The book’s emphasis on personality assessments and the need for a diverse team opened my eyes to the importance of building a cohesive group that prioritizes results over individual agendas. This approach was instrumental in leading my company to the success it ultimately achieved

Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?

Yes, it is: “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.’ My mother instilled in me the value of hard work, and this quote perfectly captures the need to stay proactive. It has often reminded me that even when things are going well, you can’t become complacent — you have to keep pushing forward. This mindset has been crucial in my business, as continual effort and adaptation were key to my success.

How have you used your success to make the world a better place?

I’ve used my success to give back in a couple of meaningful ways. After hearing the financial struggles of parents balancing education and healthcare for their children, I was inspired by the resilience of our young patients and decided to create The Pazos Education Fund. This fund provides scholarships to children who wish to attend a Catholic school that’s part of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. I hope to expand this initiative to benefit students across Louisiana as part of my legacy.

Additionally, I co-founded the ‘Blossoming in Business’ conference, which provides guidance and resources to women looking to start or grow their businesses. Through this event, we’re helping empower the next generation of women entrepreneurs in our community.

Can you share with our readers what you are doing to help empower women to become founders?

As a member of the Gulf South Angels (GSA), the largest angel investor group in the Gulf South region, I actively advocate for and support early-stage female-founded companies by providing not just capital, but also strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to our extensive network. GSA is also committed to recruiting more female investors and prioritizing investments in female-founded businesses. In fact, 80% of GSA’s investments over the past two years have gone to female-led enterprises.

I believe one of the biggest barriers to becoming a female founder is self-doubt, which can hold people back from pursuing their dreams. It’s important to cultivate determination and the belief that success is possible. Many women in traditional corporate roles may not realize they have the power to create opportunities for themselves. Once a woman feels empowered to take charge and start building her own business, her intuition, nurturing qualities, attention to detail, and drive will all come together to help her succeed.

This might be intuitive to you but I think it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you share a few reasons why more women should become founders?

Women bring unique perspectives and empathetic leadership to the business world, both of which are crucial for innovation and building strong, inclusive teams. By becoming founders, they not only drive economic growth and job creation but also serve as role models for future generations. Their leadership can inspire other women to break down barriers and take control of their financial futures, contributing to a more diverse and equitable business landscape.

Additionally, female founders often prioritize social impact, reinvesting in their communities and focusing on businesses that solve societal problems. Their success demonstrates that when women lead, they not only create profitable enterprises but also foster positive change in the world.

Can you please share 5 things that can be done or should be done to help empower more women to become founders?

• Encourage Female Mentorship: Women need more female mentors who have already navigated the challenges of starting a business. Hearing the stories and experiences of other women helps demystify the path to entrepreneurship, which can feel different depending on the industry and the individual. For example, when I first started, I sought advice from women who had gone through similar challenges, and their guidance helped me avoid common pitfalls.
• Trust Women’s Instincts: Women have strong instincts that should not be underestimated, especially by themselves. It’s important for women to trust their decision-making abilities and not second-guess themselves. When I made key business decisions, I learned to rely on my instincts, and that confidence in my own judgment was critical in steering my company.
• Prioritize Self-Care and Mental Focus: Women, often naturally nurturing, can sometimes overlook their own self-care. It’s crucial for female founders to recognize that delegating tasks to competent staff is not only essential for company growth but also key to preventing burnout. By maintaining a healthy work-life balance, they can focus on the high-level responsibilities that require their unique attention as a Founder/CEO.
• Overcome Fear with Planning: Fear and roadblocks are inevitable, but they shouldn’t stop progress. Women need to evaluate alternative solutions and tackle challenges head-on. For instance, when I faced a major business hurdle, I didn’t let fear hold me back — I developed a backup plan and pushed through, which ultimately made my business stronger.
• Focus on Value, Not Certifications: It’s important for women to focus on delivering results rather than relying solely on certifications or degrees to open doors. When I started my business, I didn’t have certifications to rely on, but I focused on providing excellent service to my clients. This focus on results helped build my reputation and the success of my company, and it reinforced that credentials don’t define the value of your business.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

If I could inspire a movement, it would focus on shifting the mindset of employees to understand their true value and purpose within a company, beyond just earning a paycheck. Early in my career, I struggled with taking it personally when staff underperformed. Over time, I learned that developing a psychological balance — where employees are both engaged and motivated — was key to success.

I would advocate for a culture where employees see themselves as vital contributors to a company’s success, not just cogs in the wheel. By creating a work environment where employees feel valued and understand the impact of their roles, we can boost productivity and satisfaction across the board. This cultural shift would be a responsibility shared by leaders and employees alike. Offering courses or training on how to build an effective career could empower the next generation to find meaning in their work, fostering a stronger, more motivated workforce for the future.

We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.

I would love to meet Martha Stewart. She built an incredible empire and, despite facing scrutiny for her investment decisions, remained resilient. I admire how she weathered the storm and continues to be a powerful force in business and in our homes. Her perseverance and adaptability are truly inspiring.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Readers can follow my work by visiting the Pazos Education Fund website at www.pazoseducationfund.com, where we’re focused on supporting families living with Type 1 diabetes. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn to stay updated on my business endeavors.

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.

About The Interviewer: Vanessa Ogle is a mom, entrepreneur, inventor, writer, and singer/songwriter. Vanessa’s talent in building world-class leadership teams focused on diversity, a culture of service, and innovation through inclusion allowed her to be one of the most acclaimed Latina CEO’s in the last 30 years. She collaborated with the world’s leading technology and content companies such as Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Broadcom to bring innovative solutions to travelers and hotels around the world. Vanessa is the lead inventor on 120+ U.S. Patents. Accolades include: FAST 100, Entrepreneur 360 Best Companies, Inc. 500 and then another six times on the Inc. 5000. Vanessa was personally honored with Inc. 100 Female Founder’s Award, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and Enterprising Women of the Year among others. Vanessa now spends her time sharing stories to inspire and give hope through articles, speaking engagements and music. In her spare time she writes and plays music in the Amazon best selling new band HigherHill, teaches surfing clinics, trains dogs, and cheers on her children.

Please connect with Vanessa here on linkedin and subscribe to her newsletter Unplugged as well as follow her on Substack, Instagram, Facebook, and X and of course on her website VanessaOgle.