Otehlia Cassidy is the owner of Madison Eats Food Tours, LLC. As a professional foodie and travel enthusiast, she regularly operates culinary tours to Mexico and Cuba. Otehlia is also a fierce supporter of cultivating more opportunities in Wisconsin for female entrepreneurs to launch food-based businesses. Learn more about Otehlia Cassidy…
Hometown: Yellow Springs, Ohio
First job: I worked as a sensitive plant surveyor for the US Forest Service.
Favorite WI restaurant: Heritage Tavern – Food and service always knocks it out of the park.
Person who has impacted your life the most: I would have to say my great aunt Franny, my mom and sister. They are all incredibly strong and vibrant women who celebrate being creative.
Your biggest accomplishment in your eyes: Okay this will sound weird, but I think learning to walk through fear and embrace it. Because there are so many things I feel that that allowed me to do that are great accomplishments – having kids, starting a business, traveling alone.
The biggest obstacle you have overcome: My sense of self-doubt. It took about 6 years of therapy for me to realize my own worth. It changed my life.
Someone who inspires you: My kids for sure. They tell me how it is, keep me humble and on my toes and add so much needed humor to my days.
Favorite quote: I don’t have a favorite, but I like this one: “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right.” —Henry Ford
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Just keep going. Keep showing up and believe in your dreams. In fact, don’t just believe in your dreams, but live them. Start to act on them then create the reality that you dream—even if it is just a small thing.
What you think makes someone fabulous: Being genuine, open-minded and honest.
