We recently had the chance to connect with Cynthia Akita and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Cynthia, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
To be completely honest, networking has never been my strongest skill. I’ve always been more of an introvert — quiet in big rooms, observant, and only really opening up once I find “my people.” But over the years, I’ve learned (and I’m still learning) that growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones.
Right now, I feel called to stretch myself by showing up more — networking, connecting, and being visible in spaces that challenge me. People need what I have to offer, and my timidity can’t be the reason someone misses out on the solutions I was created to bring.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Absolutely! My name is Cynthia Akita, and I’m a Brand Strategist, Designer, and Educator at The Design Firmacy™ — your brand pharmacy. The heart of what I do is help entrepreneurs and organizations diagnose their brand challenges and prescribe the right “medications” to bring their brand back to health. In short, I provide creative cures for branding ailments.
At The Design Firmacy™, our mission is to help you build a brand that speaks when you’re not in the room.™ You might be wondering, “Okay, but what does that really mean?”
Imagine you’re headed to a networking event, but just before you walk in, you’re told you can’t go because your brand has to go in your place. Would your brand draw people in and spark conversations, or would it go unnoticed in the corner?
That’s where my work comes in. Through my signature concept, “Personify My Brand™,” I teach entrepreneurs, executives, and creatives how to position their brands like a person (one with personality, presence, and purpose) who can represent them confidently and connect deeply with their audience.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding The Design Firmacy™’s educational platform, developing tools and resources that make brand strategy more digestible (and a lot more fun). Because branding doesn’t have to feel like medicine, but when it’s done right, it’s definitely the cure.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I’d have to say my parents taught me the most about work — not through lectures, but through how they lived. I saw work woven into their daily lives as something more than a paycheck; it was a way to provide, serve, and show up with integrity.
My mother worked in a nursing home and later in a hospital, so I often got to see what her job was like up close. In her free time, she decorated weddings and would bring my sister and me along to help. What always stood out to me was her heart — she never charged for her time, only asked clients to cover the cost of materials. Through her, I learned about service, generosity, and giving without expecting anything in return.
My father, on the other hand, showed me the beauty of versatility. He studied forestry, but throughout my life, I saw him explore so many different paths — from taxi driving and working in healthcare to even trying his hand at real estate. From him, I learned resilience, adaptability, and the courage to reinvent yourself when life calls for it.
Together, they shaped how I view work today — as something that’s both purpose-driven and flexible enough to evolve as you do.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Honestly, I’d probably say more than one thing. First, I’d tell her, “You are beautiful, both inside and out.” Like so many of us, I went through seasons of teasing and insecurity, and I’d want my younger self to know that her beauty was never up for debate.
I’d also tell her that her dreams don’t have to wait for “security” in another career. With the creativity, passion, and skill I had even then, I could’ve started building sooner if I had trusted myself — or had the right mentorship and support. So I’d encourage her to think beyond what’s typical or expected and to chase the things that light her up, even if no one else in the family has done it before.
Overall, safety is necessary, but purpose is far better.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I wouldn’t necessarily call it a lie, but one of the biggest misconceptions in my industry is that every entrepreneur needs a detailed business plan before they can start. Don’t get me wrong, business plans have their place, especially if you’re seeking investors or funding. But for most of us who started businesses based on our skills, passions, or expertise, a 20-page plan full of projections and jargon isn’t always practical or necessary in the beginning.
What is necessary, though, is a brand strategy. At the end of the day, your audience isn’t interacting with your business plan; they’re interacting with your brand. That’s what determines whether they connect with you, purchase from you, and keep coming back.
A strong brand strategy helps you clearly define your purpose, vision, values, positioning, and persona. It gives your business clarity, direction, and a foundation you can actually build on. Without it, even the best business plan won’t take you very far.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely! In fact, that’s often where the best work is born — in the quiet spaces where no one’s watching. Without the pressure of external validation, I can create purely for the sake of creativity itself. It gives me the freedom to push boundaries, take risks, and explore new ideas without worrying about what others might think. That’s when true innovation begins to take shape.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thedesignfirmacy.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedesignfirmacy
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thedesignfirmacy/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/designfirmacy
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@TheDesignFirmacy
- Other: Free Community: personifymybrand.com/group
Image Credits
Professional Photographs are by Studio Eveliz
