Powering Growth Through People, Planning, and Purpose With EO Entrepreneurs

Cindy Free is the Owner and CEO of HR Annie Consulting, a firm specializing in human resources support, training, and compliance for small to midsize businesses. With over two decades of experience in HR leadership, Cindy helps companies build strong people strategies. She is known for her pragmatic approach to aligning culture and compliance.

Wesley Naidoo is the Managing Director at Oasis Group, a global provider of information management services including data storage, digital transformation, and secure destruction. He leads strategic growth initiatives and operational excellence across international markets. Wesley brings a track record of leadership in scaling enterprise solutions and managing complex data governance.

Shirley Wiliani is the Founder and CEO of A La C.A.R.T.E. Solutions, a business process outsourcing firm that provides back-office and customer service support to scaling companies. Her leadership focuses on delivering customized, cost-effective operational solutions. Shirley brings over 20 years of experience in helping companies improve efficiency and growth through outsourcing.

Andy Cheng is the Co-founder of OptiNizers, a company focused on optimizing business operations and technology integration for growth-stage businesses. He leverages automation and strategic consulting to streamline systems and improve scalability. Andy has a background in technology consulting and entrepreneurship, helping clients transform operational bottlenecks into growth opportunities.

In this episode…

Growing a company takes more than hustle. It requires clarity of vision, strong leadership, and the ability to adapt through every stage. Whether it’s navigating economic uncertainty, building a team culture from the ground up, or learning to let go through delegation, today’s most effective entrepreneurs are aligning strategy with purpose to drive meaningful, lasting growth.

Cindy Free emphasizes how thoughtful planning helped HR Annie Consulting rebound from setbacks and scale during the pandemic, while Wesley Naidoo explains how leveraging EO’s global network enabled Oasis Group to expand across continents and industries. Shirley Wiliani shares how she transformed her hiring process by leading with core values, creating a culture that attracts the right people. Andy Cheng dives into the mindset shift that helped him overcome burnout: mastering delegation and building a business model centered on remote talent.

In this episode of the Rising Entrepreneurs Podcast, recorded live at the Entrepreneurs’ Organization Global Leadership Conference in Honolulu, you’ll hear how Cindy Free, Wesley Naidoo, Shirley Wiliani, and Andy Cheng are using people-first leadership, strategic planning, and personal growth to power their companies forward. You’ll also learn how community, vulnerability, and connection have shaped their entrepreneurial journeys.