From rehabbing homes to managing a band on the road, Martin said she was able to build a unique skillset that is applicable to her role at Cypress “in every way.”
“The road managing the band was just a ton of fun,” she said. “Being on the road really is challenging. You get to work with a ton of different, unique personalities. Some are very challenging, and so you learn, especially as the road manager, that your job is to keep everybody calm.
“And then you work with owners of venues where you have to argue over money and getting paid and have merchandise and all the fun stuff, so it is basically a small business that’s on the road. It’s not that different, and so I utilize those experiences and skills all the time.”
Growing up with a father in a wheelchair, Martin emphasized the importance of good work ethic, resourcefulness and problem solving. As her father’s “chief helper,” she highlighted how early responsibilities shaped her commitment to inclusivity and advocacy for accessibility. Her father’s determination to lead an independent life inspired her ongoing efforts to help foster inclusivity in the workplace, within Women in Nutraceuticals (WIN) and beyond.
The integration of philanthropy into corporate culture is a growing focus for Martin, which is a big reason why she enjoys working at Cypress Systems. The company, along with Cepham, has a non-profit called A Thousand Plus, an initiative aimed at changing the trajectory of underserved women and children around the world.
A Thousand Plus is currently raising funds for Wings of Hope, a rescue home for endangered girls between the ages of 11 and 17 in Nairobi, Kenya, where Martin serves as a mentor.
“These girls are single moms, and I was a single parent, so I can relate, but I can’t relate to being a single parent and being a child at the same time,” she said.
“And so when I met them and I was around them, I just gained a whole new respect for them. If I can at all give back, I want to. I always wanted girls, and I ended up with two boys. so when I was at Wings of Hope, I thought, you know, maybe I can really make a difference here.:
