We recently connected with Candace Kinney-Wood and have shared our conversation below.
Candace, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
The Birth of Beyoutifulsoulll Creations
Beyoutifulsoulll Creations (specifically a handmade eucalyptus shower hangers store) was originally birthed in 2021. This vision was an outlet to keep my mind busy as I was dealing with grief and depression. As I assembled each hanger I found myself enjoying creating a product that would be placed in one of the most sacred places, we have as individuals, the bathroom (shower).
The bathroom for me is where I often had to face my pain head-on as I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize the person who reflecting at me.
Life begin to hit even harder as many of us were trying to reclaim some form of normalcy. The harder I fought the harder it was to wake up each morning. So beyoutifulsoulll creations took an unexpected hiatus…BUT GOD!!!!
I am here today as a living testament to God’s grace and mercy. These aren’t just pretty pieces of decor to place in your bathroom. But Beyoutifulsoulll Creations’ handmade eucalyptus shower hangers and self-maintenance products are a reminder to keep fighting, to wash today’s worries away as yesterday is only guaranteed.
In closing, the true message is depression is REAL, and many individuals struggle in and out of cycles of highs and lows their entire lives but often those lows seem so prevalent and never-ending.
But God!
My message to ALL keep the faith and on your darkest days, please remember you are not alone.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
My mentor from undergrad until now Mrs. Amber Aughtery-Lindsay (of Raleigh, NC) who now I consider my bonus mom asked me to answer five questions before a “healthy” conversation. As I began to respond and answer the questions she had prepared the final question…caused me to be overwhelmed with emotions.
“Who is Candace?” I uttered hesitantly.
Before that very moment I never allowed myself to analyze myself it is often very easy to observe and depict others.
But how do you describe yourself, let’s dive a little deeper. Who are you?
I struggled to answer this seemingly elementary question until I lowered my guard and began to be truthful to myself.
So again, “Who is Candace”
“Candace is someone who never had the confidence to show her true colors, only given ppl snippets of herself. Candace is someone who fears rejection and abandonment, so she often seeks validation and reassurance. Candace is resilient but can be her own greatest downfall. Candace struggles with her true identity. Candace is a loner. Candace is teachable. Candace has a hustle mentality. Candace is constantly changing so Candace doesn’t actually know who Candace is…”
As tears streamed down my face I felt a shift in my perspective and mission.
My mission becane solely about encouraging others to
be unwavering “YOU.”
This is where my business name is derived from Be(YOU)tifulsoulll Creations, I have it tatted on my left shoulder my dominant side the side that bares the heaviest of loads but remains willing and able to support.
This is how I approach life as long as I stay true to myself I will be aligned with my divine calling whatever that may be in the moment.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
If I had to title my autobiography it would be “Resilience”
Transparency seat, take a seat! Let me tell you a little story.
See, I like so many before me and those trailing right behind; come from a background that either motivated you to break the limitations of generational curses or unfortunately leeched on to you and sucked every drop of potential and drive from so many futures.
Rather it be, you made the same declaration as me by knowing your future depended on you being uncomfortable and immersing yourself into the unknown; as well as allowing experiences to stretch you.
Or you (voluntarily or involuntarily) allowed your roots to choke your vision and now with a blink of an eye, five years in retrospect, you’re just cycling through life, reliving the same pain, disappointment, and fear that bound your ancestors.
I say all this to bring attention to the reality that statistically only a small proportion of individuals can break the cycle that, mama’s mama experienced, the struggle Grandma had to live out, or even the sacrifices Ma dukes had to experience to provide you a better life.
Don’t do these individuals a disservice, who weren’t afforded to have the resources or capabilities to cultivate their own future. But rather let that be the fuel to the fire within yourself to pay it forward by laying the foundation for future generations.
I Candace, declare that I have made it out! A youthful, fatherless, first generation , BLACK WOMAN, who has crossed waters that my ancestors could only dream of, has ARRIVED!!!! The same little black girl that was held back in 3rd grade, whose mom got down on the floor while I cried my eyes out trying to remember the lesson I had learned in school that day, is currently a successful small black female-owned business owner who participated as a featured exhibitor in one of the largest black art shows (A Spectular Black Girl Art Show) and sold out of product their first year of operation and has her sights on so much more.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Do it in the dark. Do it afraid.
Do it if it makes you genuinely happy.
Do it without validation!
Do it even if it feels like the effect appears to have little to no impact at all.
“Who I am” WYN Starks
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @_beyoutifulsoulll, @beyoutifulsoulll_
- Facebook: Candace Kinney-Wood
- Linkedin: Candace Kinney-Wood
Image Credits
Photographer: Adam Hinders (he/they) IG: @alt_nero Website: alt-nero.format.com