My name is Kandace, I was born in Queens, NY where I lived until I was about 10 years old, then moved to the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. I am a healer of mind, body, and spirit ~ helping men and women nurture their bodies through natural self-care & wellness via my Warm Spirit Business.

I also help school districts across the world maximize the talent of their Principals, Teachers, and Students as Director of School Partnerships for The Gallup Organization's Education Division. ymib: Hobbies?

Kandace: I absolutely love to travel the world and learn about people of all cultures. So far I have been to Cuba, Spain, England, Ireland, Italy, Brazil, The Netherlands, France, all throughout the Caribbean, and most recently Tanzania! I have grown immensely through opening my heart to receive all that people of all backgrounds have to offer. I feel more complete with each trip, but there's still so much more knowledge to gain. Next year I'm headed to Asia. I plan on putting this hobby to good use in the world...I will begin working toward my doctorate in Comparative Education & Socio-Cultural Anthropology in the next couple years, and I am in the process of starting an international exchange program focused on expanding the horizons of urban youth. Another hobby/passion of mine is music - more than listening/vibing to it, I love to help musicians reach their potential! I've done everything from street promotions to styling to artist management, and I love it all. My best friend and I founded Underground Elevation a few years ago to help underground artists get more exposure. I tied it in with my travel passion during my trip to Tanzania, and am bringing an artist from there to the U.S. to help him get exposure abroad through tours with U.S. artists ~ I can't wait!

ymib: How would you describe a purpose filled life?

Kandace: Living fearlessly...letting go of the past...going after BIG dreams...having no regrets...giving without expectation...being your authentic self EACH moment...accumulating passing on wisdom...inspiring others to do the same...

What has been the most important life lesson that you have learned thus far?

Kandace: An elder once told me "A dream with no action is a nightmare" ~ I think so many people go through life hoping to what they really love to do "someday" ~ I think living a purpose filled life is taking action now! So many people pass away not having lived out their dreams. I always think to myself, if I passed away tomorrow, what would the obituary say & I live my life accordingly...I'm not waiting to take action on what I love, what I have passion for, and what will make a difference in the world! I heard a great speaker recently (Alvin Day), and he said Society does not reward "potential" (she had the potential to be a great...), it rewards SUCCESS...what is success? the acheivement of something attempted (key word).

ymib: Why is a woman important to the world?

Kandace: Women are nurturers...providers...visionaries...care-takers...givers...door openers to the future of the world (children) I encourage women to be all of these things (nurturer, care-taker, giver, etc) to themselves first . We must remember to care for ourselves so that we can be strong enough to be all we can be for others in the world. This is exactly why I started my Warm Spirit business ~ so many women are making self-care a "sometime" or "special occasion" event ~ self-care is daily!

An important place to start is ensuring you are receiving the nutrients you need on a daily basis, which is causing disease in so many minority women...I highly recommend "RESTORE", a wellness supplement that cleanses and detoxifies, stimulates the immune system, reduces free-radical damage, neutralizes stress, promotes weight loss and restores the body by giving you 7X the vitamin C in oranges, 4X the calcium in milk, 4X the vitamin A in carrots, 2X the protein in milk, 3X the potassium in bananas & more! This product was developed by an African-American chemist, and has been used by FEMA & the Red Cross to nurture natural disaster victims back to health, and is now available exclusively through Warm Spirit!

ymib: How does the world look through your eyes?

Kandace: Full of potential energy waiting to bust loose!

Kandace: It's actually very recent...I went to Tanzania in June/July of this year, and got much more than I could have every imagined. I had traveled to other "developing" nations, but they did not touch me in the way I was touched here. I realized what the true meaning of happiness is...here in the US, the majority of people look to material things and money to make us happy (living the "American Dream")...but there, people who had extremely little had something that was SO valuable ~ family, culture, community. I realized how much I was truly missing out on, and was very encouraged to rid myself of thinking I need to have more (more degrees, bigger house, car, nice clothes, etc) to be happy ~ that was big for me. I cried many times while I was there, just taking in all of the things that I take for granted here. Many times I can be so busy trying to get somewhere, that I don't take in all that I have to be thankful for, and I don't spend enough time with the people I love and cherish because of that. I'm tearing up now even writing about it...

ymib: What are two things a woman should never take for granted?

Kandace: Loved ones and Your worth.

I'll start with loved ones, I was reminded of this when I lost one of my great-grandmothers earlier this summer ~ 1 month before I was planning to visit her to learn more about our family history with hopes of tracing back my roots. There were so many things I wanted to say to her that I never had the chance to say. That reminded me to never let time pass when you have something on your heart to share with someone! I tell my husband I love him at least 10 times/day...seems silly, but I know that he knows he is loved every day no matter what is going on in my life.

In terms of your worth ~ never settle for less than what you are truly worth. I think so many women settle (in career choice, relationships, etc) because they don't think they are worth the best. Many times this has to do with what someone has told you that you were worth/not worth in the past ~ a wise man once said "The best revenge is massive success" and I wholeheartedly agree! I am here to tell all women, you are worth what YOU declare! Never settle for less...expect the best...

ymib: What is your personal mission in life?

Kandace: To empower people to care for themselves and nurture their potential within! This is the mission of Warm Spirit, and I have adopted it as my own personal mission ~ I truly believe this fits with all that I am pursuing in holistic wellness, education, youth, culture, and music.

ymib: Who is your favorite female role model, past or present, and why?

Kandace: I have so many female role models, but the strongest influences come from right in my family. My mother is amazing, and was one of the strongest examples of what true giving meant. My mother gives to others without expectation, and has inspired me to "pay it forward." I love you, Mom :-) I also grew up with both of my grandmothers close by ~ they have passed on an incredible amount of wisdom, life lessons, testimonies, etc. that I will always carry with me. Another influence that I must mention is my godmothers ~ they have always made sure that I stayed grounded in who I am & where I came from, and have helped mold me into the "strong black woman" I am today. I have also gained a lot from the many sisters who stood up for what they believed in, and have paved the way for me to be able to be all that I can be today~ way too many to name, but much respect and love.

Kandace: "Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Mahatma Gandhi

I put this quote at the end of all of my emails, and truly try to live it every day. I'm not going to "talk about it", but I'm going to be about the change EVERY day! So many people complain about what's wrong with the world, but don't take action on things they can do to make it better right in their own community.

ymib: Any additional comments or advice for our Circle Sisters?

Kandace: Meditate on what it is you want your life to be about (what do you want your obituary to say?), and start developing a plan to make it happen. We develop 5-year plans for school and work, but for some reason not our lives. Many of us are just going through the motions day by day with no true direction or action toward what we truly desire. I encourage all of the Circle Sisters to start developing this plan, and guarantee you will start to see results if you "work your plan."

I also want to say, I'm happy to build with sistas on ideas...listen...meditate with you...consult...book recommendations...whatever you need. I love to help people turn potential into action! Feel free to email me at kandace@warmspirit.org

Peace & Blessings to all of you! Ashe...

If you would like to hear more about this supplement & other all-natural self-care/wellness products to integrate into your daily lifestyle, contact Kandace through her website, and she will consult with you about how to restore your well-being so you can nurture others with ease! Visit Kandace's Warm Spirit website at: www.warmspirit.org/kandace