We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Candiss Pelham a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Candiss, thanks for joining us today. Before we talk about all of your success, let’s start with a story of failure. Can you open up about a time when you’ve failed?

Honestly, I have several stories of failure, but for the sake of time, I’ll share one that isn’t overly complex.

One of my businesses in the real estate sector specialized in working with banks to maintain foreclosed properties. For several years, the business was profitable, but when the market shifted, it quickly became unsustainable. Expenses began piling up faster than the revenue could support, and my husband and I were pouring significant personal funds into keeping it afloat. The financial strain became overwhelming, taking a toll on both our business and personal lives.

The most valuable lesson I learned from this experience was the power of pivoting—understanding that failure is not the end-all, be-all. Instead of accepting defeat, we restructured and shifted our focus to a different niche within the real estate and construction industry. That transition not only saved our business but also reinforced the importance of flexibility. Success isn’t about clinging to one rigid idea—it’s about being open to where your purpose is leading you.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Candiss Pelham, and I am 35 years old—a proud Florida girl, FAMU alumna, wife, and mother of three. Lately, I’ve been exploring a new passion as a homestead hottie lol. Gardening and learning about self-sustainability have been incredibly fulfilling. This stage of my life is all about self-investment and redefining success.

Professionally, I am a Realtor and co-owner of Pelham Perfect Properties, Inc. My lifelong goal has been to educate and uplift my community. Initially, I entered real estate with the intention of building a portfolio for my husband and me. However, as I became more immersed in the industry, I realized how many people needed guidance but had no idea where to start. This realization led me to transition into real estate full-time—not just as a sales associate but also as an educator, hosting homeownership workshops to empower aspiring buyers.

In 2018, my husband and I launched Pelham Perfect Properties, which initially focused on maintaining foreclosures. Today, we have expanded into the construction sector. My brand will always be centered around education and empowerment. As I embrace this new phase of my career, I am shifting my focus toward real estate development. My ultimate goal is to build affordable housing and create lasting community impact.

For potential real estate clients, I am available to assist with all your residential needs—buying, selling, or construction. More than anything, I would love to collaborate laterally with like-minded individuals to make a broader impact.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One book that truly resonated with me is Atomic Habits by James Clear. I read it about two years ago as part of my weekly accountability meetings with two of my sisters. This book taught me to be more patient with myself and the process. It reinforced the importance of systems, tracking progress, and making small, consistent improvements that lead to significant long-term results.

One concept that stood out to me was the “Focus 30s” method—setting aside 30 minutes of uninterrupted time to work on a task. Implementing this simple habit made a world of difference in my productivity. Before reading this book, I equated productivity with constant busyness—running around for 8–10 hours a day, feeling like I was accomplishing something. In reality, I was exhausting myself without making meaningful progress. Atomic Habits helped me simplify my approach to productivity and work smarter, not harder.

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

One of the most valuable lessons I had to unlearn—both in family life and business—was the idea that I have to do everything myself and that asking for help is a weakness.

Early in life, I convinced myself that unless I was handling everything personally, I wasn’t doing enough. I took on too much at home and at work, rarely delegating or seeking assistance. This mindset stemmed from what I witnessed growing up—my mother raised eight children, worked full-time, cooked, cleaned, and never missed a single event. Seeing her do it all made me believe that super-independence was the only way to succeed.

But in reality, that mindset hindered my growth. Unlearning it has helped me become a better communicator, a stronger leader, and a more balanced person. I now understand that true strength lies in knowing when to ask for help and allowing others to support me on my journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Pelhamperfectproperties.com
• Instagram: Pelham Perfect Properties INC
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• Youtube: Pelham Properties