Meet Rashawnda C. Scott

We were lucky to catch up with Rashawnda C. Scott recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rashawnda C. , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

As a woman we go through many trial and tribulations. We gain confidence and we lose it again as we step into new territory and evolve into the unknown. What has helped me maintain and continue developing my confidence the awareness of my inner self and noticing when I have step outside of who that woman is.
I maintain a consistent relationship with myself using my own mantra ” start the day with self and ending the day with self”. I have made self analysis a staple in my confidence.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Rashawnda is a serial entrepreneur, devoted mother, and dedicated community leader committed to empowering women through her initiative, Pieces of Kandakes. As a public speaker, published author, and magazine owner, she strives to uplift women from all backgrounds.

Her entrepreneurial journey began with a passion for creating jewelry, leading to the establishment of Pieces of Kandakes in 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This platform has become a vital space for women to overcome obstacles and build self-esteem through various initiatives, including annual editorial photo shoots and red-carpet launch parties that celebrate women’s stories and achievements. In her first year of business, Rashawnda was honored with the “Startup Business of the Year” award at the Black Business Ball by Black Business Ball is a testament to her dedication and impact.

In 2022, Rashawnda contributed to a collaborative anthology titled Being Wichita Women, which features the stories of 30 diverse women exploring themes of trauma, adversity, resilience, and healing. Her chapter, titled “Birthmark,” allowed her to connect with many inspiring individuals while also partnering with Quiet Storm to give back 10% of proceeds to her hometown community. This began her journey as a writer and publisher.

Additionally, Rashawnda publishes “Kandakes Korner,” an annual magazine that highlights the voices of everyday women through Pieces of Kandakes and emerging businesses. Notably, she became the first jewelry brand representative to speak on a fashion panel at the Minnesota state capital, further amplifying her impact.

With my unwavering commitment to empowerment, Rashawnda continues to inspire and uplift women, helping them rise and shine through the Women Empowerment Project MPLS. The movement was founded off the strength of empowering women that have experienced low self esteem. This initiative is designed to empower and elevate the voices of everyday women who have surmounted challenges that significantly impact their self-esteem, including sudden weight fluctuations, long-term illnesses, disabilities, colorism, ageism, and postpartum depression. My objective of the project is to celebrate their resilience through visual arts, commercials and photoshoots to become the new faces of Pieces of Kandakes Jewelry with hope of shifting the community through confidence. Each year, we invite 10-20 women are selected to model Pieces of Kandakes collections to reclaim their spark and inspire others through their stories. This is the 6th year and 72+ women how joined forces with Pieces of Kandakes safe space to a a transformative environment. We launch our new collection and project October 19th in Minneapolis MN 5pm at Black Business Enterprises.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

One of the three essential skill sets that has enabled me to lead Women Empowerment Projects MPLS is quite simple yet crucial for progress. Effective listening and communication are at the forefront of these skills.

As WEP is a passion project, a certain level of empathy and active listening is necessary. The women we serve often share their vulnerable stories, and we strive to create a supportive, judgment-free environment. This skill set fosters trust and allows us to facilitate the unique experiences each woman needs for a complete transformation in how they view themselves. My goal is to empower, not to judge. With this we also hold space for platform that allow women to be empowered on our Women’s panel such as the Miss Juneteenth MN, Miss South Central Central MN and Mrs Universe Petite 2025.

Additionally, patience is vital, as everyone processes their experiences at their own pace. Throughout this journey, the skills of positive thinking, affirmations, and goal-setting are essential. These are personal steps you must take to help others develop their own skills.

Finally, teamwork is crucial for building character and providing support. Each woman needs to feel that she is not alone, and the team at Pieces of Kandakes is dedicated to helping her build her confidence.

How would you describe your ideal client?

The ideal client is a woman who has faced life’s challenges head-on and emerged stronger, overcoming every obstacle in her path while maintaining the habits that support her new lifestyle. She is a woman ready to step into her purpose and celebrate her journey.

Becoming a Pieces of Kandakes (KAN – DA – KEYS) Model requires only one thing: a woman seeking to reignite her inner spark. Often, life’s demands and responsibilities can cause us to forget who we truly are, beyond any titles or obligations. This editorial shoot is transformative, helping women rediscover their true selves through jewelry. At the end of the project, we honor each woman with a red carpet event and launch party, where we celebrate her new identity and share the moment with the community.

The Women Empowerment Project MPLS provides a space for women to embrace and be loved through their imperfections. The red carpet event features live interviews with each participant, and for those who feel inspired, there’s an opportunity to join a women’s panel, where they can amplify their voices and engage in a Q&A session. This provides a platform for women who are working to rebuild their self-esteem after a life event that challenged their sense of self.

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Image Credits

Photo credits go to Fashion Photography All

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