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

Candra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

Many people underestimate the difficulty of blogging and influencing, mistakenly believing it to be an easy job. This misconception often results in people not taking our work seriously and a lack of fair pay. The truth is, this line of work comes with its own set of challenges, such as the pressure to always be “on” and the effort required to create quality content. Additionally, the return on investment is not always guaranteed. Despite these obstacles and misconceptions, I find joy in this work and will continue to prioritize the aspects that bring me fulfillment.

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

My name is Candra, and I am a Liberian-American who founded the Cincinnati-based life and style blog, Cancan Roynelle. I created the blog in 2016 as a creative outlet from my professional work in criminal justice reform. I wanted to reignite my love for African prints and inspire myself and others to live authentically with colorful style.

Since starting the blog, it has opened up many doors, including a business opportunity. People reached out to me for styling services, and I decided to establish my business this summer. I want to empower people to feel confident in their clothes without breaking the bank.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I realized the importance of starting an email list early on. In this world focused on social media, an email list is one of the few things you can actually own on the internet. Even if you don’t have a website, an email list is key to staying in contact with your clients/followers. Because I learned that lesson late for my blog, I feel like I’m playing catchup.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I am on a mission to inspire people to live colorfully authentic. This phrase resonates with me as it can be taken both literally, encouraging individuals to incorporate more color into their wardrobe and surroundings, and figuratively, by celebrating the diverse and vibrant expressions of identity. Embracing your uniqueness enables you to fully appreciate the richness of life without feeling the need to hide your true self.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cancanroynelle.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cancanroynelle/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cancanroynelle

Image Credits
Photos shot by Dorese Jenae Portraits and Megan Pryll Photography