Cindy Zimmerman

President & CEO, SS Designs, Winter Haven

SS Designs is a creative firm specializing in designing and decorating custom-branded apparel. The second-generation family business was founded in 1978. It employs more than 100 people in Polk County and ships tailor-made products across the globe to clients in international theme parks, sports events, destination retail, hospitality, and corporations. With help from a USDA grant, the company is installing a 670kW rooftop solar system. “This will make us more competitive in an increasingly global market, improve our resilience, and make best use of our state’s amazing natural resources,” Zimmerman says.

EDUCATION: University of Florida (BA)

IF I WERE GOVERNOR: I’d address the range of issues that have made housing unaffordable for so many of our residents.

READING: Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation. It clarifies some of the causal factors for the broad mental health, loneliness, and societal issues plaguing young people today.

INSPIRING FLORIDIAN: I am deeply inspired by the great work accomplished by the leaders of Lift Orlando. Their dedication to asset-based community development should be a model for cities across the country.

MOTIVATIONAL MANTRA: Do well by doing good.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: No matter the product, business flourishes through great relationships.

MENTOR
“I took the helm of our company from my dad several years ago and I consider him to be a great mentor. His personal ethics, integrity and deep care for our employees set the bar for how I operate our company.”