CINDY ZIMMERMAN

PRESIDENT & CEO, SS DESIGNS, WINTER HAVEN

SS Designs is an apparel company. The third-generation family business employs 75 people who design and produce custom branded products for clients like Universal Studios, Disney, Ron Jon Surf Shops and Darden Restaurants. Zimmerman joined the company 30 years ago in a product development role and took the helm from her father in 2019.

EDUCATION: University of Florida (BA)

FIRST JOB: A games and merchandise attendant at Busch Gardens. The experience gave me firsthand exposure to the core drivers of the tourism and souvenir segments that our business supports.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: My favorite place to volunteer is currently as a reading buddy with the CrossTown 119 school, so I might choose to be a teacher as my alternate career.

SOMETHING SURPRISING: I love learning and am an obsessive reader. I spend several hours most days reading — news, fiction, health and wellness, and sociology. If it is interesting, I’m interested!

INDUSTRY TREND: The necessity of nimbleness is a notable trend. Market forces and business opportunities change so rapidly that we always have to be looking for ways to anticipate our customers’ needs in new and novel ways, sometimes before they even ask for help!