Finding your authenticity as a business owner
Did you know designing a biz is another form of personal development? Take Instagram, for example. Jump on any business profile and take a holistic view -- bio, photos, captions, comments -- no two accounts are alike. So is authenticity as a business owner really that hard?
I decided to take this conversation to our Oak + Pine Society Member, Candyce.
Candyce Richardson and I were Instagram friendly before our first IRL conversation. But, I felt like I knew her when we first met at Oak + Pine's Mindset Summit. Like a penpal conjuring a connection with someone 5,673 miles away (that's Hawaii to Australia in case you're wondering), we had a baseline. We started chatting and I saw the same authenticity I did scrolling through her instagram feed.
Genuine relationships are built on the pillar of authenticity. Why try to be someone else, if your authentic vibe is way cooler? It’s easy to lose yourself in a world where imitation is flattery. Especially in the business world.
Candyce is the owner of Curious Interiors, a multi-faceted Interior Decorating company. Home styling is her jam! She also operates Curious by Candyce, an online vintage shop where she offers DIY home decor, refurbishing projects, and a variety of curated home decor and furniture.
“I’m allowing myself to prioritize my personal life”
Candyce was working as a full-time Finance Manager when Curious Interiors came to life. She got her first apartment with her girlfriend and fell in love with furniture trends and decor. "I bought a vintage rattan bar cart for $25 that was so cute, but ultimately didn't fit our space. I loved it so much that I said I would only give it up if someone paid $200 for it. It sold within a week & a half. It dawned on me that I had an eye for this thing, and it all spiraled from there."
Michelle: What does authenticity mean to you?
Candyce: I think the word authenticity can come off super convoluted sometimes, but to me it just means doing what feels right to you without being worried about what anyone will think. I do this by not holding myself back from my creative expression and also using my voice to speak on things that are important to me, even if it's imperfect or controversial.
“it’s important to stick out if you want to keep anyone’s attention”
Michelle: How does being authentic translate into your business?
Candyce: The internet & social media are really oversaturated, so I think it's important to stick out if you want to keep anyone's attention. The only way I know how to do that is to share my life and my brain! And it seems to make potential customers (or just humans) feel more comfortable with and remember me. I personally love not having to put on a persona to fit into a box of what a business owner is supposed to look like, and just defining that for myself.
Michelle: Share an experience when someone made you doubt your abilities.
Candyce: There are so many! But to be honest, it isn't someone telling me "I'm terrible at design" that rings in my ears. Sometimes it's the really subtle comments that I have to actively remind myself to push out of my head. Just this year, someone told me - "You should totally pursue your business full-time! As long as you're willing to pay for your own medical insurance". It made me feel as if my long-term happiness wasn't as important as having stable health care. I know it’s needed but dang, what a thing to say. I try to remember that entrepreneurship is a mindset, and not everyone is going to think the same way about it.
“the really subtle comments that I have to actively remind myself to push out of my head”
Michelle: What are your thoughts on competition in the business world?
Candyce: To me, no matter how alike two businesses are in any industry, unless they're intentionally trying to be identical, they are still going to be SO fundamentally different. There are tons of Home Stylists, but I know that the combination of ideas I choose to utilize to grow my business are not the same as theirs. My ideas may not always be unique (everything's been done before anyway) but the way I approach/interpret them will be, so I really don't think competition matters when I'm deeply rooted in just doing what feels right for me.
Michelle: What are you NOT going to do before this year ends?
Candyce: I'm definitely not going to put pressure on myself to perform well at all times. Something I did a lot in my first year in business was thinking that I needed to have everything done, yesterday. I'm allowing myself to prioritize my personal life just as much as my business and there will be no backtracking on that!
We can overthink what it means to be authentic. And my conversation with Candyce reminded me why—authenticity is speaking in your honest voice. Meaning we need to find the right balance between creating and consuming as business owners. Sharing your authentic voice is more than what you say. It's an expression of what you believe.
Like Lady Gaga, you might believe that we're born this way. I challenge that thought. If our environment shapes our perspective of life, it means we have a choice. Change is a conscious effort. "Rah, rah-ah-ah-ah Roma, roma-ma. Gaga, ooh-la-la," said Lady Gaga.
Which I think means: our interactions with others can lead to unproductive thoughts. Be selective in who you let in.
So let me ask you this -- what needs to stop so you can experience your authentic life? Set your big goals and keep fighting for them, like Candyce.
Candyce's 5-year plan is to launch her furniture and home decor line. "The thought of an entire warehouse full of things I’ve made and love will be my reality," she said.
Our Oak + Pine Society is grateful to share Candyce's entrepreneurial journey. Every milestone she hits is a celebration! And visualizing our community sipping champagne at Candyce's full warehouse in five years gives me all the feels!
If this sounds like a celebration you'd like to be part of, consider becoming an Oak + Pine Society Member when doors open. Subscribe to our newsletter, and you'll be the first to know when we're accepting new members.