We were lucky to catch up with Kandy Robertson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kandy, appreciate you joining us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

Talking about my parents brings a variety of emotions. I used to speak of the negative things that my parents have done or haven’t done for me. How I struggled without the support I felt I needed. This topic comes personal to me, however, I want to speak on this question from a different perspective, and share the story of the lives of my parents.

My parents were Cambodian refugees and survived a genocide that occurred from 1975-1979 where over 2 million people were massacred. My parents met at a camp where they both outlived their families.

Then they were sponsored to America, I was born a year later. I am the first and last to be born in America.

My life was far from normal as my parents more specifically my mom who suffered from multiple mental illnesses such as PTSD.

My parents didn’t speak any English. My brother who was born on camp became deaf at the age of 3. So at a very young age I had many responsibilities that most children did not have. I interpreted, translated, paid bills, argued with bill companies, picked up medications, as young as 8 years old.

My parents were older generation so friends was limited, after school activities were a foreign concept, and my brother lived at boarding school for the deaf. I pretty much grew up a very lonely child.

For the most part I spent my childhood alone, my parents had their own battles and affection or love or any attention of any kind was non existent. In being so I had a developed a rampant imagination.

As an adult I left home early, (a story for another time) alone for the most part which led me to making many poor choices and bad decisions, which were consequences of living in naivete from my upbringing. I lived in a box as a child but had responsibilities as an adult.

I know this topic was specifically about sharing what my parents did right and how it carved my career.

If I had to say anything about this is the fact, no matter who our parents are, there is no right or wrong.

To some people my parents may have done wrong but at the moment in their life they did the best they could even if I didn’t have the best childhood or even a normal one.

But what did they teach me?

My parents taught me resilience.

My parents are the most resilient people I’ve ever met. They overcame one of the most horrific things a human can experience and no matter how bad it was for them, they never gave up.

That is one of my most valuable traits that I have. To never give up even in the face of adversity. Despite what I’ve gone thru as a child or an adult I’ve learned to keep going, to fight for it and to achieve my goals no matter what obstacles were in my way.

My parents who lost their entire family, and spoke no English. Found a way to build a new life in a foreign country, but to cope and manage, and found ways to survive. They learned to adjust and adapt.

These skills and traits were passed down to me. Which has made me who I am and how I view business relationships. I never gave up.

In a way, everything they’ve done was right.

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

I am a social media expert and have been in the entrepreneurial industry well over 15 years.

I help clients make more money, by getting clients, customers and leads for free using social media by going viral without paid ads with my 1:1 coaching DIY program and as well as social media management for busy business owners.

What sets me a part is the ability to help my clients tap into their story and helping them become the brand and the niche. I also not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. I have gone viral on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok with views from 1.3 milion to 4.4 million and have consistently do so almost every week and constantly provide results.

My clients all have gone viral and/or gotten clients, customers or leads with my strategies within a short period of time.

For 17 years I’ve also been a nurse, along side my entrepreneurial journey. 2.5 years ago I finally quit nursing, and pursued social media marketing full time from home. Since then, I have won 6 awards and have been recognized nationally and internationally and have made 5 figure months.

Www.ikandyland.com

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I’ve built my audience on social media mainly by being myself and offering free value. I talked about overcoming obstacles a lot and aspects of myself and my culture. In doing so not only inspired others but I became relatable. This has allowed me to amass a large following because I don’t seem untouchable. That I am just like everyone else. When you can relate to your audience, they become attached to you and like you because elements of who you are remind them of themselves.

My advice would for those starting out to find their story and share it.

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

Several years ago, due to many side hustles, a lot of people close to me doubted if what I was doing was lucrative or a waste of time. I was often criticized because of new ideas and dreams to the point that my personal life was turning for the worst.

One night, I told myself to give up and let it go. I went to bed that night crying myself to sleep because all I really wanted was to no longer struggle and be free.

Night after night, when I closed my eyes all I could see was me living in my dream house, happy and free.

Not too long, I had told myself that I can’t give up now because I can’t stop dreaming about it. That’s because I can’t stop dreaming that it was meant for me, that one day it’ll come true.

Since then, I vowed to never give up on myself and my dreams.

It’s just the beginning for me but I’ve achieved my dream of working from home and being with my kids every day!

Contact Info:

• Website: Ikandyland.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/Ikandyland
• Facebook: Facebook.com/ikandyland
• Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/ikandyland
• Twitter: Twitter.com/iKandyland
• Youtube: YouTube.com/ikandyland
• Other: Tiktok @ikandyland

Image Credits
Davillier Photography