Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Dudley
Hi Candace, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I went to school to be a teacher and taught 13 years in grades 4 and 6. During the last 3 years of my teaching career I got into network marketing in the wellness space. I had had 3 babies in about 3 years and doing the at home workouts really helped me feel like myself again. I learned so much during those years and had my first taste of entrepreneurship and was hooked. In 2018 I launched my podcast, Better Brave: solopreneur business systems. I’ve since left network marketing and followed a string of nudges along the way like getting my life coaching and meditation/mindfulness coaching certifications. I left the classroom in 2022 to give more time back to my family life but also to pursue entrepreneurship full time. I own a business in Online Management, and love systems and finding ways to make things more efficient. Being part of a small business and helping push them forward is something I really enjoy. I also own a second business called Willow & Wren, which is in wholesaling crystal bracelets and my custom journals. I have my products in about ten locations around the Midwest. My most recent venture was launching Aligned Business Collective with my two besties. We host in person events and a virtual membership to support other female entrepreneurs.
I’ve also been married for 11 years and have 3 beautiful children who inspire me daily. I spend my spare time coaching their sports teams and occasionally subbing in their classrooms. We live in Lake City near beautiful Lake Pepin and love to walk the beaches, search for shells and sea glass, and bike the river walk.
I’m a big believer in living life intentionally and kicking the norms society likes to set for us like hustle culture.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Entrepreneurship always has its ups and downs. I’ve of course had my own roller coaster ride. When I first left the classroom I had been in the full hustle and grind and was burning out. I spent about 10 months not sure what to fill my time with so I filled it with flipping furniture. This was something I had never done before but had gotten a dresser to do for fun from a neighbor and decided it felt fun and I was naturally good at it. It was fun for awhile until it turned into more burnout and my next hustle.
I’ve done a lot of inner work, including therapy and finishing a 3 month meditation & mindfulness coaching certification to recover from my burnout.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Willow & Wren; Better Brave?
Willow & Wren – I launched Willow & Wren in December of 2022. I curate crystal bracelets with different meanings and uses. Crystals are one of the tools my children and I like to use to be more intentional with our days and support us when big emotions arise. I also have a custom journal I made and published called, The Year of You Journal, on Amazon. I wholesale both my journal and bracelets to small businesses in the Midwest. Some Minnesota locations include: Phileo Style in Red Wing, Rustic Coffee in Lake City, Gathered Goods in Rochester, The Argyle Moose in Hugo, and The Stash in Waconia.
Better Brave is my online business management business. I do done-for-you work for clients that involve setting up better systems, sales pages, and other tasks a solopreneur needs help with. I also have digital tutorials on different systems like Amazon KDP and podcast set up, and teach others virtual skills. I’ve hosted my own podcast since 2018 called Better Brave: solopreneur business systems which can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or BuzzSprout.
My brands are all about living and intentionally creating a life you love without the hustle and burnout. I’m most proud of the evolution and growth I’ve had as an entrepreneur. I used to think we shouldn’t change our minds or that when we did it was synonymous of quitting. I’ve now learned the faster we can pivot the more aligned we can feel and live. The most successful people know when to pivot and do it quickly.
All of my businesses and services can be found on my website www.candacedudley.com.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The best lesson I’ve learned along the way is that you have to try things out to know what is most aligned with you, your goals, and values. It is absolutely ok to change your mind and pivot. It is imperative to your entrepreneurship journey (and life) to adjust and make changes as soon as you recognize when something is out of alignment. If you don’t and you try to ignore it, you’ll end up burnt out and with a business you don’t like.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://candacedudley.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candacedudley/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candace.olstad.1
