Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kandace Ramel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kandace, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

R3DRebel Consulting was founded in 2018, inspired by my personal journey and experiences. As a preacher’s kid, I grew up surrounded by my father’s extensive collection of books, many of which belonged to a well-known pastor and theologian named Billy Graham. My curious and questioning nature often led to clashes with authority figures, which my dad described as a rebellious spirit. This label stuck with me as I sought to understand the world around me.

During my college years, I joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and became the third member, or “tr3,” of my line. The number 3 held significance in my life due to various personal reasons. As a child who faced numerous challenges and as a preacher’s kid, I had been dubbed a rebel from a young age. I embraced this title, redefining it as a positive attribute. Being a rebellious spirit allowed me to perceive the world from a unique perspective.

R3DRebel embodies who I am and how I navigate life. The name cleverly combines “red,” representing boldness, courage, drive, and determination, with the number 3 symbolizing the Holy Trinity and the challenges I’ve overcome. This name reflects my personal journey and the colors of my sorority while also being my favorite color. In essence, R3dRebel represents me – a courageous and determined individual who sees the world differently and isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Kandace, originally from Memphis, TN, and my life’s journey has taken me through a diverse set of experiences that led me to where I am today. I grew up as a Preacher’s Kid (PK) in a household dedicated to full-time non-profit ministry and missionary work. This upbringing instilled in me a love for people and an appreciation for various cultures. When I attended Murray State University in Murray, KY, I initially pursued a double major in Political Science and Philosophy with the intention of heading to law school after graduation.

However, my life took a sudden turn during my junior year when I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. This was a transformative moment, and I embarked on what I call my “Damascus Road Experience.” After a year and a half of traveling the world and regaining my strength, I returned to Memphis and started working at a real estate investment firm. I began as a leasing consultant but quickly climbed the ranks, eventually managing an 18-story high rise and three other properties.

While working in the real estate industry, I enhanced my entrepreneurial spirit, which had always been a part of me. Even during college, I dabbled in selling various products, from plates to hairstyling. However, some aspects of my work at the investment firm led me to question my purpose and the economic system as a whole. Motivated by my rebellious roots, I embarked on a quest to understand the financial system, wealth creation, and generational prosperity.

While still employed at the Real Estate investment firm, I started wholesaling real estate on my own. I acquired several properties and delved into the credit industry. My background in servanthood and leadership, nurtured in the church, made me realize the glaring gaps in financial education, particularly within certain communities. I set out to change that. Since 2019, I’ve immersed myself in four different industries: credit repair, taxes, life insurance, and real estate. Since, I’ve obtained my financial advisors licenses, life insurance license and I’m working towards my Enrolled Agent tax credential.

I don’t confine myself to a specific niche; instead, I’ve created a one-stop shop for all your financial needs. I specialize in holistic consulting, recognizing that sometimes we need to take a step back to take three steps forward toward our financial goals.

One of the aspects I’m most proud of is my deep LOVE for people. My innate role as an educator, combined with my commitment to integrity, means my clients can trust me with their personal information. I uphold their confidentiality to the highest standards, as if I were their lawyer. My mission is to empower, educate, and remove obstacles for my clients, just as I have persevered and achieved for myself. This, above all, is what I take pride in.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Throughout my life, I’ve faced numerous health challenges that forced me to spend a considerable amount of time in introspection. Whether it was analyzing life’s intricacies, having heartfelt conversations with God, or learning to cope with personal traumas, these experiences set me on a unique path. My journey to resilience began during my adolescence, around the onset of puberty when I started experiencing severe asthma flare-ups. However, even before this, I was known for my eczema, which left my skin rough and scaly during my elementary and middle school years. In high school, my asthma worsened to the point where I frequently missed school, sometimes for weeks at a time. This was particularly challenging for me because I had always been resilient. Throughout my 12 years of school, I remained highly active in extracurricular activities. I played basketball, soccer, ran track, and even held the position of captain on my high school pom squad. I was also a school ambassador and served as the student council secretary. Regardless of what others thought of me or what doctors said about my health, I refused to let anything hinder me from pursuing my desires and living my best life.
Due to the substantial amount of school I missed during my junior year of high school, I decided to switch to homeschooling, and in my senior year, I enrolled in dual enrollment classes to kickstart my college career early. Although I initially aimed to attend a college halfway across the country, my health condition led my parents and me to choose Murray, KY, which was only two and a half hours away from home. This decision provided a safety net, ensuring I wouldn’t be too far from my family if anything were to happen to me.
I commenced my college journey at the age of 17 and graduated at 21. Despite the unexpected cancer diagnosis that threw a wrench into my life, I managed to graduate with a 3.5 GPA and pledge my sophomore year. My college years were filled with adventure as I studied abroad every year and even ventured into the music industry while starting an entertainment company, showcasing my entrepreneurial gifts. Reflecting on this journey, it’s clear to me how resilient I’ve been. My line name, “PERS3VERENCE,” encapsulates my life story and how I’ve reached the heights in my business, life, and entrepreneurship. My ability to persevere through adversity and stay true to my dreams has been my defining characteristic.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Nobody’s Perfect… One lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that I needed to be a perfect person. It’s challenging to pinpoint the exact origin of this ideology, but I’ve operated under this notion for as long as I can remember. I suspect that it may have roots in my upbringing within the church and my dad’s constant preaching about being “Christ-like.” He would often emphasize scripture, and I can still quote it effortlessly to this day. The Bible teaches that Christ was perfect, and we’re encouraged to strive to be just like him. From a young age, I internalized this worldview and integrated it into my daily life. I aimed to love people “like Christ,” to “do all things with my heart as if working for the Lord,” and to love my neighbor as I loved myself.
This ideology created a slippery slope in my life. I became a workaholic, a people-pleaser who lost sight of my own identity. I was so busy doing and saying what everyone else expected of me that I didn’t even know who I was anymore. Fortunately, I eventually unlearned this self-deprecating behavior.
I learned that I needed to love myself first, and only then could I authentically share the love of God with others. I realized that I couldn’t pour into people from an empty cup. Putting myself first allowed me to show up as my most genuine, unapologetic self and fulfill my purpose as God intended. This shift enabled me to live a life that wasn’t marked by overwork, sadness, poor health, and feeling lost. It taught me that self-love is the foundation for living in alignment with my true purpose and making a positive impact on the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ther3drebel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kandy_r3d901/ ; https://www.instagram.com/ther3drebel.co/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kandace.r.walker/ ; https://www.facebook.com/r3drebelconsulting/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kandacewalker/

Image Credits
Black dress: Created, designed and hand made by designer Demi Blvck (@demi.blvck) personal page: Demetrius Blayde (@mr_blvck__) Pictures shot by: Ariel Thomas (@directedbyskin2)