Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Washington.
Hi Candice, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My personal and professional background have had a profound impact on who I am and how I do business. My evolution as a person and businesswoman stems from an intersection of being raised in a highly professional and entrepreneurial household, collegiate athletics, quality education, and countless professional achievements – a multi-layered foundation which afforded me the ability to develop a dynamic skillset rooted in service, communication, and experience.
After earning a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Butler University, I spent 2.5 years in the sports and entertainment industry working for a professional NBA/WNBA team, transitioning from there into the field of education for 14 years, with focuses in Corporate Work Study, Career Counseling, Business Development and Program Management. Present day, I’m fortunate that my robust background affords her the opportunity to serve others and create impact through curating experiences.
My over 15 years in business development and program management in the sports and entertainment, non-profit, and education industries has afforded me the ability to develop a unique strategic agility and financial acumen to help clients effortlessly identify, engage, and foster client relationships that create an unrivaled client experience and significant impact.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not! My greatest challenge has been in my belief that I could generate the same revenue for my own company as I built a career doing for both non-profit and for-profit companies. Along those same lines, there have been ups and downs as it relates to funding my business, as I’ve had to utilize my personal finances to fund the business (not advised…I know) when the business has gotten low on cash flow. Entrepreneurship has become popular, but it’s not suited for everyone. You really have to be purpose-driven because this is not an easy, stable, or smooth road. There will be potholes, roadblocks, and detours, yet through it all, operating in excellence is still required if you hope to have longevity and sustainability.
As you know, we’re big fans of Joi Lesan Consultancy. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Joi Lesan Consultancy we combine a proficiency in operations and logistics with a background in client experience and retention to provide our clients with the knowledge and support needed to deliver top-tier experiences that lead to recurring business.
Our core services fall under these categories:
– Operations Support
– Logistics Management
– Data Driven Strategic Development
– Client Experience & Retention
– Event Experiences
Leveraging my unique strategic agility and expertise in experience with a command of operations, logistics, and strategic development I’m able to create data-driven strategies for effortlessly identifying, engaging, and fostering relationships that create an unrivaled client experience significant impact and position brands for profitable growth.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Make sure that your business has a solid foundation, you have all legal documentation for your business, and keep your paperwork in order.
Hire people who have the expertise you don’t. Solopreneurship is not a badge of honor. Just because you “can” do something doesn’t mean that you should. Just as you want to be hired for your expertise so that you can operate in your zone of genius, you need to hire people to do the same. This doesn’t just include vendors and service providers such as accountants, attorneys, etc., but also coaches and consultants. Coaches and consultants reduce your learning curve and allow you to tap into their expertise so you can learn from their experiences and mistakes so that you can avoid them in your business.
Contact Info:
- Website: iamcandicewashington.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/iamcandicewashington
- Facebook: facebook.com/iamcandicewashington
- Linktree: linktree.com/
iamcandicewashington
