We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kandi Green a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kandi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?
If I could change anything about my life or childhood, I would start by talking to myself more as a kid. Being my own cheerleader, coaching myself in anything I was involved in. I’ve always been athletic but I wanted to be an actress and author or owning a business, if not all 3. Being around people who had no idea what success was or to have a dream bigger than the budget was hard to mention true interests to individuals who thought small. Some would convince me that I was talking nonsense or just dreaming, then I would get discouraged and find ways to convince myself that I was just hallucinating or didn’t have whatever it took. Maybe my images were possible at the time had I firmly believed in doing things without the approval of those around me. But I was one who allowed their opinion of my life to over power the vision God only gave to me in the first place. After years of choosing what never worked for me, I finally claimed my sanity and stepped into the future that owned my dreams. I became an author 2017, self publishing “Vote 4 Loyalty” and “My Favorite Garden” and set to release “Levelz II Loyalty” early 2023. I’ve started writing a script in which I’m working to release my own movie within the next couple years based off my true story. I’ve started speaking more and now taking Acting/Modeling classes at Page Parks Agency here in Houston. I’ve started my business ‘Levelz The Brand’ selling clothes, books and accessories online. The name came from me no longer being stagnant or content with the life I had, every dream demanded me to level up. Had I believed in ME a long time ago, I would be further but no complaints, it’s never too late to get started. Elevate, grow and take care of YOU. Be your biggest fan, applaud yourself and believe every wild dream you have… allow that to forever over power anyones doubt.
Kandi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hello all, I’m honored to introduce myself as a 35 year old mother, author, rising actress, model, motivational speaker, entrepreneur and may my list of crafts forever grow. I became a self published author in 2017 with my first ‘memoir’/novel titled “Vote 4 Loyalty.” The first true story I’ve written about my life in a vulnerable space of transparency. It was a self gained therapy for me as I now encourage those who feel an urge to release a few secrets from their past, too keep thinking… keep writing… keep convincing yourself you can do it until it’s done. They’ve said I was so brave to have shared moments others may be too proud and ashamed to confess or admit. But once my faults and regrets hit those pages my mind was no longer a prison to what I wrote. It’s Free! Let it go and create new chapters now that you know better, show and prove better. I love speaking to my following or crowd of people who may need a little convincing that they’re already winners if they stay in the game. How can you lose if you never quit? One day will be a ‘victory lap’, as the late Nipsey Hussle calls it. My advice, is to eliminate behaviors that violate what you desire, that is my motto and the statement I’ve built my brand on. Levelz, without knowing where you’ll be in 5 years… just know that if you continue climbing and learning, your steps will get you where you deserve to be. I’m proud to be a mental health coach, (No degree) as I call myself because what I’ve gone through and overcome grants me the certification I needed to push others as I’ve pushed myself through dark times. I wrote a beautiful kids Christian book called “My Favorite Garden” coAuthored by my daughter, Journei. I’m most proud of that story because I was able to give my kids a beautiful illustration to an untimely event that relates to the death of their father, yet describes it in a way kids can feel better about. There is someone who needs to hear me one day, so I’ve decided each level, I have to do it as transparent as possible to have the best impact with those I encounter. My amazon reviews or the feedback I get after an event where I’ve been in the panel, the thing I hear the most is that I’m genuinely authentic so I wouldn’t change that now for anything. I owe it to myself and those listening, whether they’ve heard me speak or read my books, I’m giving 100% over and over. By the way, part 2 “Levelz II Loyalty” is set to release April 2023. Peace be with you all, present yourself as if you won’t get a second chance, you have the potential, apply pressure.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My resilience was tested greatly when my husband was killed in 2015. His death definitely birthed a different version of strength I never knew I carried, but needed. I began to travel the world and experience the sunrise in different countries and states only to find out that no matter where you are, it always will. So why couldn’t I? I got up every dark night and began to rise and shine light on all that I touched. It gave me clarity that there was always strength in my work ethic, however after a loss so great it gave me fuel to flex my muscles by showing my new strengths. Fixing mistakes, I applied consistent pressure to the pain that wounded me but could never keep me buried in misery. It made me pursue my dreams more so, because there was a bigger reason behind the sweat and tears. Never become too weak to remember how strong you are! Be courageous during times of uncertainty or recovery because that’s when your strength is stretched and molds you with undeniable power.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
If there’s one thing I’ve unlearned, its being a giver by heart. Through our journey up or making it past tough times, some of us tend to give more than we should especially when our dreams are under construction. I once was a person willing to die for others before I’d given myself a fair chance at living. I remember times where I would allow myself to be a shoulder but left drained from peoples issues when they’ve been shown or told how to do better but just don’t apply it. They’re complacent with life and you have no business trying to change that! I learned the hard way that going the full extent for another’s situations or circumstances before catering to your own will negatively affect only you, ultimately. I would hear someone’s sad or pity story and instantly feel the need to help their requests. Now it’s just “NO” and if that’s you too, just Stop! You can’t save people or be there as a crutch to always break their fall. When they are committed to making no improvement, let them hit the ground and one day they will see it’s only one way up. If it will leave you broken or in a bind once you’ve helped them overcome obstacles, don’t do it. Just give some words of wisdom and wish them well with their endeavors. One day they will gain understanding that their life is not your responsibility. Save yourself first, Always! That’s not selfish, it’s being accountable for YOU!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.levelzbrand.com
- Instagram: @kandi.vs.loyalty
- Facebook: Levelz TheBrand
- Youtube: But first, Loyalty!