Meet Cecilia Fay of Women Connect Memphis

Cecilia Fay doesn’t just build brands; she builds connections. As the founder of Cecilia Fay Creative and a co-leader of the Memphis chapter of Women Connect, her work sits at the intersection of creativity, community, and purpose. Whether she’s helping small businesses find their voice or creating space for women to support one another, Cecilia’s approach is rooted in showing up thoughtfully and authentically.

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You launched your own business straight out of college. What gave you the confidence to take that leap so early?

What I noticed was that PR and corporate services aren’t built for local businesses. They need customized solutions, not cookie-cutter approaches.

When I graduated [college] and started job hunting, I quickly realized a typical nine-to-five agency job wasn’t going to work for me. I’d spent a lot of time during childhood trying to do what everyone else was doing and be “well behaved,” but that’s not how I learn or how I’m wired.

I wanted control over my creative work and the freedom to work how and when I wanted. The entrepreneur route made sense. I was already doing the work, I understood the problems small businesses faced, and going against the grain came naturally to me.

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What was the spark behind bringing Women Connect to Memphis?

Originally founded to bring true connection back into networking events, the organization has done well in other cities. The view that networking doesn’t have to be transactional aligns well with how I approach business and my professional relationships. And it’s fun to get to plan different kinds of events and support women leaders and business owners!

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How do you feel the organization is making an impact in the 901?

I try to do things a little differently from other chapters. We started a GroupMe this year to connect with attendees a little more intimately. All of our events are held at locally owned businesses, and most of them are owned or led by women. Our meetings are super candid, and we help the ladies view problems or issues and come up with solutions in a positive way. No topic is off the table!

My goal for everyone is for them to meet someone new, learn something new, or go home with new business.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to build genuine professional relationships but isn’t sure where to start?

My advice would be to stop thinking about networking as “I need to go here to get ‘X’ amount of business or make ‘this kind’ of connection.” Instead, ask yourself what you can bring to the space. What can you “give” instead of “take?” Being yourself will get you a lot further than trying to be like everyone else in the room. People don’t buy what you do. They buy into who you are.

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The annual conference Women Connect LIVE 2025 was held in November. What was your biggest takeaway?

I found myself resonating with this year’s live speakers much more than I did last year. All were relatable and had inspiring stories. My biggest takeaway was to do the big things and be brave, but also leave space to be intentional and stay true to yourself.

This message showed up at a perfect time, as I have been working a lot on my own business and messaging. It is so important to me that, as I grow and increase value, I stick to my values. That can be a hard balance sometimes.

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Giving back is clearly important to you. What draws you to a community cause?

Anything where I can help young people see beyond what is right in front of them — to think about the future and make it a little less scary. I donate to all the local Catholic schools for their fundraisers. I speak at Career Days and other student-focused events.

I love Junior Achievement and returning to the University of Memphis. Students often reach out to me looking for advice on what’s next. I am planning to do more of that work in 2026.

You’ve been open about navigating ADHD as an entrepreneur. What strategies have you found most helpful in building a business that works with your brain instead of against it?

I wasn’t diagnosed until I was 14, so I finally figured out how to learn as a teenager. That was my launching pad into early adulthood. Probably the only perk of finding out so late was that I was able to use what I just learned and take that into my business.

With a business, you have to be flexible, creative, and think outside the box. That is exactly how my brain works, so building a business has been a fun project and one that I am good at.

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Where can we find you when you aren’t working?

These days, I am in Oxford a lot with my boyfriend. If you told me 10 years ago that I’d be spending so much time there, I would have laughed. But love is a powerful thing!

In Memphis, I love supporting local bars and restaurants. South Main Street is my place, and you can find me on a barstool in Max’s Sports Bar or Birdie’s. When in Oxford, City Grocery is my go-to.

What is your best piece of advice?

How you do your job and the way you treat people is what matters. Show up, be authentic, and be intentional with your words and actions. How people are acting online is not true 80% of the time; the grass may seem greener on the other side because it is fake.

There is power in privacy. In a digital world and a time when AI may seem overwhelming, going the extra mile for people will make all the difference.

Finally, we always ask: name three things you can’t live without!

My pink spiral notebook, Google Calendar, and a deep breath!

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