Hi, I’m Cecilia Wichmann. Author, speaker, entrepreneur, and a woman who has quite literally come back to life with a story to tell.

I was born in the colorful chaos of Miami, Florida, but grew up in Sweden, where I learned discipline, creativity, and how to pronounce IKEA without fear. My grandmother was a glamorous opera singer, and long before I ever stepped onto a stage as a speaker, she introduced me to the power of storytelling, presence, and finding your voice. Thanks to her, performing felt natural long before it felt brave.

After high school, I packed my bags and spent a year at the Leysin American School in Switzerland, an experience that shaped how I see the world and my place in it. At just 19, I launched my first business in the equestrian industry, and that was it. Entrepreneurship had me hooked. I have been building, creating, and dreaming ever since.

In 2008, I traded snow boots for cowboy boots and made Texas home. My career path has been anything but linear, taking me through law enforcement, emergency medical services, and news media. Each chapter added grit, perspective, and stories that would later find their way onto the page and the stage.

Today, I am the founder of Wichmann & Co, a publishing company dedicated to supporting independent authors who want their stories handled with care, intention, and heart. Through Wichmann & Co, I help authors bring their books to life, and through Willa’s Bookstore, I proudly champion signed books and indie voices from around the world.
I published my debut novel, The Ticket, in 2025, and my second book, Beneath The Surface, is set to release in March 2026.

Public speaking is where everything comes together for me. I speak about storytelling, branding, resilience, and what it really means to start over. I am also a two-time cardiac arrest survivor, a reality that changed how I live, write, and speak. My keynote, “Recovery From Death,” is not about fear or trauma. It is about second chances, courage, and choosing to live fully even when life knocks you flat.

If you are looking for a speaker who blends honesty with humor, grit with heart, and lived experience with real-world insight, you are in the right place. I do not just tell stories. I help people see the power in their own.