Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Candie Simmons of Madison, MS

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Candie Simmons. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Candie, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day include waking up to an alarm, washing my face, brushing my teeth, making a cup of coffee and going to my prayer room. I take time to pray for my family, friends and the day ahead. Starting off my day in prayer makes everything better and if I have time, then I will go do a 30 minute workout prior to showering and getting dressed for the day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Candie L. Simmons has over two decades of experience managing teams and inspiring growth across diverse roles—including working alongside passionate volunteer organizations, thus CLSimmons Consulting was born from a commitment to people and purpose. Driven by a strategic mind and a desire to make a difference, she brings a skill set designed to ease, empower, and educate. Whether facilitating a company retreat, developing organizational strategy, or helping individuals achieve financial confidence, her focus is on creating comfortable, impactful spaces where collaboration thrives. Building CLSimmons Consulting was more than a career move—it was about crafting the freedom to make a positive difference and continue giving back to communities.

The Ocean Springs, Mississippi, native received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing and Master of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi. Her education also includes being a Gallup Certified StrengthsFinder® Coach, and a graduate of the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women in Business: Black in Business program, where her business was selected as one of three-hundred to participate from over one-thousand applicants.

Candie actively serves on the Ole Miss Women’s Council, Junior League of Jackson Business and Community Advisory Council, and Ole Miss Banking and Finance Advisory Council. In addition, she is a member of the board of directors for First Commercial Bank, 2nd Chance Mississippi, Baptist Health Foundation, and the Coleman Alexander Prosser Foundation, Incorporated, where she serves as assistant treasurer. She is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Beta Delta Omega Chapter, and serves the South Eastern Region as the representative to the International Programs Committee.

The dedicated community member has been recognized by numerous organizations for her outstanding contributions. Some of those honors include:

Mississippi Business Journal Top 50 Leading Business Women, placed in Top 10
Mississippi Business Journal Top 40 Under 40
The University of Mississippi Outstanding Young Alumna of the Year
National Coalition of 100 Black Women Central Mississippi Chapter – Economic Empowerment Candace Award
Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi – Women of Excellence
Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi – Women of Distinction
Fun Fact: During the summer months, she finds time to teach children and adults how to swim because she wants everyone to enjoy and love the water, just as much as she does.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I felt powerful in February 2023 when I resigned from my job not knowing what I was going to do. I knew that I was not happy in my current role and I needed to find something that is fulfilling and would allow me to thrive. The power came in because I knew my faith in God would carry me, but I am also responsible with managing money so I knew I would be good from a financial standpoint. I made adjustments with my monthly expenses to prepare for not having regular income and I leveled up my “side hustle” of teaching kids and adults how to swim to fill in the gap until I was able to figure out what’s next. We have always heard be careful for what you say, because it will come true. When I resigned from my job, I was asked what are my plans and I said that I was going to operate my consulting business full-time. At the time, I didn’t fully believe that, but thought that I would secure a few contracts to carry me for about 90 days until I secure full-time employment with a company. Well, I officially left my job on March 12, 2023 and became a full-time entrepreneur on March 13, 2023. It is not September 14, 2025 and I am still in business and each year my revenue and the referrals increase. To be in control of if you work somewhere or not and to have the power to walk away from a career you no longer enjoy or is not fulfilling you is powerful.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering teaches you that it will not always be this way and that “this too shall pass”. When we are in the middle of suffering or enduring tough times, it seems like the end of the world, but as I have gotten older and I think about tough times that I have survived I realize it was not the end of the world and I am okay. When suffering happens and it still does on a regular basis because that is a part of life, I always tell myself, I will be okay or I say, “Candie you will be okay.”. If you are always successful, if you are always getting what you want and you never feel or endure lack or pain then you can’t handle the bad things when they come your way. I have experienced suffering to the extent that I can be extremely grateful for the good times and know that I just have to get to the other side during times of suffering.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
LOL, yes! The public version is really me. Oftentimes, I will be in casual settings and someone may say Candie we are not at work, you don’t have to talk like that. I am like, talk like what. I don’t change from the workplace to being around friends. Yes, I may be a little more relaxed in a fun setting versus a work setting, but I hold onto my beliefs and my true self no matter the setting. I listen more than I speak regardless of the setting. I provide support and help regardless of the setting and I choose to find joy in what I am doing regardless of the setting.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely! I choose to always give my best no matter who is or who is not watching. That is a part of my personal brand to do what I say I am going to do, to be dependable, responsible and on time. I think about what I want said about me when I am not in the room, so praise in public or private doesn’t have to occur for me to give my best.

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