Cyndi Mitchell on Building Lasting Relationships and Leading with Care

For Cyndi Mitchell, Administration and Marketing Executive at TRP International, LLC, success has always been about more than business. It’s about building trust, helping others grow, and showing people that you genuinely care.

Cyndi first joined TRP International in 2002 in customer service and as the Dallas Office Manager. After stepping away for a time, she returned in 2011 as an Account Executive, bringing her people skills and relationship-focused approach to the trailer industry. What began as professional customer relationships soon grew into something much more meaningful. Cyndi affectionately calls her customers her “frustomers,” a blend of friends and customers who have become like family over the years.

Her guiding philosophy has always been: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

That mindset has shaped Cyndi’s career and the lasting relationships she has built throughout the industry. She prioritized understanding her customers’ needs, earning their trust, and helping their businesses succeed. She believes the industry is stronger when people recognize one another’s strengths and work together.

In 2023, Cyndi was diagnosed with renal cell cancer, prompting her to reconsider a role that required extensive travel. With her deep industry knowledge and experience already extending beyond sales, She was able to transition into her current position as Administration and Marketing Executive. The role allows her to work remotely while continuing to attend trade shows, something especially important to her because of the relationships she has built throughout the industry.

Today, Cyndi manages the design and layout of packaged parts and the company’s private-label program, updates TRP’s catalog, coordinates trade shows, and continues managing two major accounts. One of her proudest accomplishments is transforming TRP’s catalog from a simple, black-and-white collection of line drawings into a trusted industry reference that customers use to train new employees and better understand products.

As a woman entering a traditionally male-dominated industry, Cyndi faced challenges early in her career, including customers who were reluctant to work with her. Rather than letting those experiences hold her back, she focused on what she could help with, remained open to learning, and built trust through genuine care and consistency.

Her advice to women pursuing a career in the trailer industry is simple: “Don't be afraid to say you don't know. Don't act like you know everything, just always show that you care.” You don’t have to know everything; recognize what others can teach you while sharing the knowledge you bring to the table. The goal is to find common ground, learn from one another, and work together to fill in the gaps. Be genuine, ask questions, and stay open to learning. 

Outside of work, Cyndi’s passion for helping people continues through her family’s small farm. After moving to the country with her husband, she created a community gathering point where neighbors can find fresh vegetables, herbs, and free farm-fresh eggs from their 50 chickens. What started as a way to meet people in a new community has become a meaningful way to give back.

From strengthening customer relationships to supporting her community, Cyndi Mitchell demonstrates that genuine care can make a lasting difference. Her story is a reminder that the trailer industry thrives when we recognize one another’s strengths, invest in relationships, and help each other succeed.