We were lucky to catch up with Chandia Defrantz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chandia , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

If I were starting over, one thing I’d do differently is to not overthink things. Writing has always been a passion of mine, and over the years, I’ve filled personal journals with countless business ideas and projects I’ve dreamed of launching. But too often, I got stuck in the planning phase, overanalyzing every detail and waiting for perfection. I talked myself out of so many opportunities because I was obsessed with everything being just right.

My new Parisian-inspired dessert candle collection is the first project where, despite my tendency to overthink, I decided to take the leap. Seeing the success it has achieved in such a short time has been a powerful reminder that I can’t hold back and wait for everything to align perfectly. Sometimes, you just have to push forward and trust the process.

Chandia , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

After graduating from college, I was waiting to get into law school when I started interning with Hope for Women Magazine. The Publisher took me under her wing, and I worked tirelessly, quickly rising through the ranks. I began as an intern, eventually becoming the Fashion & Beauty Director, and finally, the Creative Director. It felt like God fast-tracked my career, and I embraced every opportunity that came my way. I freelanced for over a dozen fashion publications, and ultimately, I landed the role of Senior Fashion Editor for The Los Angeles Post. It was a dream come true—I felt like a real-life, Black Carrie Bradshaw. Although I made very little money, the experience was glamorous beyond belief. As a single 20-something living in LA, I was attending high-profile events, hosting red carpets, and covering fashion weeks in New York, Los Angeles, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia.

Even as I thrived in the fashion world, I had an entrepreneurial tug that never faded. While attending law school, I also became a Certified Image Consultant and eventually launched my own consulting business. For about two years, I dedicated myself to it exclusively, leveraging my network in the fashion community and my press contacts to help my clients build their personal brands.

Then, love entered the picture. I started dating my boyfriend long distance between Los Angeles and San Francisco. While it worked for a while, it eventually became clear that one of us needed to take the leap to bridge the distance. I moved from LA, leaving behind my column and putting my business on pause to explore other career opportunities. Fortunately, I landed a job in the tech space, writing copy for apparel and jewelry for a massive corporation.

Fast forward eight years, and now I’m a wife and a mom with a deep love for home décor, fashion, and beauty. In December of 2023, I finally answered the persistent entrepreneurial call and launched a line of luxury Parisian-inspired dessert candles and home decor under my brand, Rodeo & Wilshire. We’re currently in five small retailers, and my goal is to grow this business into a global brand.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Although I officially launched my business in December, the process truly began in August when I started developing my product line. During that time, I was pregnant with my second child, and while I was exhausted, I was also incredibly excited. I even found that early pregnancy insomnia gave me the energy to stay up late, ensuring I met my deliverables.

But then, I suffered a miscarriage. It was absolutely devastating. In the midst of that heartbreak, I had a choice: I could either pause everything or push forward with the business I had already invested so much into. I chose to keep going. Even though I spent many months grieving that loss—and I still have my moments—I found that the business became a positive outlet for me.

I leaned heavily into my faith and prayer during that time. That spiritual foundation gave me the resilience I needed to continue with my business, even when it felt impossible. Looking back, I’m so thankful I kept pushing forward. That experience taught me that even in the darkest times, there’s strength to be found, and it can propel you toward something beautiful

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to let go of the idea that everyone you know will support you. When you launch something you’re passionate about, it’s easy to assume your network will rally behind you. With my background—graduating from a Historically Black College and working in fashion—I thought my extensive circle of “friends” would back me up. While many did, just as many didn’t.

At first, it stung. I’ve spent years supporting others, so I expected the same in return. But I had to unlearn the belief that support automatically comes from family or friends. The reality is, much of your support will come from strangers—people who genuinely connect with your product and want to see you succeed.

It’s a tough lesson, but once you accept it, you’re better off. You can then focus your energy on connecting with customers who truly appreciate your work and are excited to support you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rodeo-wilshire.com
• Instagram: @rodeo_and_wilshire
• Facebook: @rodeo_and_wilshire