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

Candance , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?

Taking time off as an entrepreneur was something I was always afraid to do when I first opened my doors back in 2011. If I wasn’t working I wasn’t making money. After a couple years of trying to juggle life and working what felt like every single day of the year, I was able to hire employees. However, that didn’t really change my mindset because I then rationalized not taking time off for vacations because my clients and employees rely on me to be there – all the time. It wasn’t until about four years into starting my business that I realized I also couldn’t afford to not take time off. My brain and body need a break. Not to mention creativity doesn’t thrive under constant demand – I’m sure my fellow creatives out there know exactly what im talking about.  Overworking myself eventually lead to burnout and exhaustion – and I wasn’t good to anyone in that condition.

I eventually something needed to change, and that change was my entire mindset and boundaries. I started to set expectations and prepare for time off while also maintaining my boundaries with clients, vendors, and employees. I also had to acknowledge that as an entrepreneur running a business means that someone is always going to need something from me – not that I always have to give it to them on their schedule.

So now I schedule yearly vacations (sometimes more than one) without feeling guilty, I still make money, and projects meet their deadlines. At least once a month I get a little spontaneous and take an unplanned day off . This day off isn’t when I need to clean my house, run my errands, or have a sick kid at home either. It’s a day where I can sleep in, sip my morning cup of coffee a little slower, binge Netflix, go to the beach, and enjoy my day.

And if you are a fellow entrepreneur and this sounds impossible – all the more reason to do it.

Candance , 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?

I was born and raised in Colorado but decided to uproot my family and my business in the Fall of 2021. Leaving the cold snowy mountains for the sunshine and white sandy beaches in Tampa, Florida.

Around 2005, I completed an interior design program at Sheffield School of Interior Design (which is now, NYIAD) and started my own interior design company, Interior Motives. Unfortunately or fortunately (how you choose to look at it), it just was not the right time for me to be an interior designer. Shortly after I started my business during a chance meeting with a local home building company, I fell into new home sales. I ended up working in the new home sales industry in Colorado Springs, CO off and on for almost 10 years, leaving the world of interior design altogether- or so I thought.

I then went on and completed several degrees in unrelated fields over the years. Still feeling like I needed something more fulfilling in my life, in early 2010, I decided that I wanted to go back into business for myself that the corporate world just wasn’t for me. My husband and I opened up two clothing stores in the historic part of Fountain, CO, and in late 2011, I decided I wanted to open a third store and focus on interior design again. My vision was still the same as before, however, I wanted to incorporate furniture restoration in my new store, home goods, and gifts. Showing clients that repurposing pieces they currently have can not only save money but transform your room too, and affordable home goods they would treasure for years!

Then, in the late part of 2016, I decided that I wanted something more meaningful to offer my clients, something that mattered to them, where I could really feel like I was giving back in more ways than just ‘design’. There was a constant pain with my Clients, that they don’t know what they wanted when it came to their home. They felt confused, frustrated and overwhelmed. With TV shows, magazines, Pinterest- most of my clients were filling their homes with what society had conditioned them into thinking that’s how their home should look. Yet, they felt out of place in their own home after spending thousands of dollars trying to make look beautiful, but the problem was it didn’t feel beautiful. It was a copy. This is when I decided to make a change in my regular approach to interior design, and I decided to incorporate life coaching into my design services. I completed my Life Coaching Certification in 2017. In late 2018, I added my Life Coaching Certification skills and several other certifications as well – to include astrology, crystal healer, aromatherapy, and reiki space practitioner.

All these fortunate turn of events and trusting the Universe has my back, has lead me to design homes for the Parade of Homes, design multi million dollar commercial buildings, and has allowed me to meet and work some of the best people Colorado has to offer.

But then…in 2020…everything changed. COVID-19 happened and changed my life…for the BEST. I wanted a change and again, I decided to trust the Universe again, pack up our family, closing my business doors – and decided to move to the Gulf Coast of Florida.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

It is a such an honor to be given the opportunity to help people transform their most intimate space – their home. I love how not every design project is the same, but there is something each project does have in common, my design process. I put in so much intention, soul-searching with my client’s, and creative play. It’s an authentic expression of who I am and how I show up in the world.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

What I think has helped build my reputation within my market is I am exactly who I say I am. Meaning, what you see is what you get with me. I’m consistent, authentic, and real- my online presence is the same as if you were to meet me at my brick and mortar store, a design consultation, my children’s school, or even a bar. I’m also really ambitious and have used my sales background to really scale my business and align me with some really great opportunities to prove myself in this industry. I’ve won multiple awards and have been recognized for my work over the years, many of the awards came only a few years into the business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.toscanointeriors.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toscanointeriors/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toscanointeriors
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candancetoscano/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/toscano-interiors-clearwater?osq=toscano+interiors

Image Credits
Kristyn Thomas Photography Whitney Elliott Photography Toscano Interiors