We were lucky to catch up with Candace Clay recently and have shared our conversation below.
Candace, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My work ethic is deeply rooted in my heritage as a direct descendant of Latino migrant farm workers. I grew up witnessing my grandparents work well into their 70s, tirelessly providing for their family while raising some of their grandchildren. Their unwavering dedication and resilience profoundly shaped my understanding of hard work and perseverance.
My parents, too, embodied this relentless work ethic, always striving to offer us a better life through their own sacrifices and long hours. From them, I learned that success is earned through commitment, discipline, and the determination to rise above challenges.
As a mother, I’m driven to instill these same values in my children. I want them to understand that they are not bound by limitations, but empowered to pursue their highest ambitions. My goal is to encourage them to excel academically, graduate from college, and, if they choose, continue on to graduate school—knowing that they are capable of achieving anything they set their minds to.
Faith is also a guiding force in my life, motivating me to stay focused on my purpose. It strengthens my resolve to lead by example, demonstrating that with faith, hard work, and perseverance, anything is possible—not just for myself, but for the generations that come after me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
In my business, Candi Aesthetics and Consulting, I’ve built a platform that merges my experience in the beauty industry with a deep passion for helping others succeed. I work closely with aesthetic practices, offering consulting services designed to elevate their operations, improve patient experiences, and ultimately drive growth. I focus on strategies that not only enhance the bottom line but also create meaningful, lasting changes in how these businesses operate and serve their clients.
What I offer is more than just consulting—I provide tailored solutions that address each practice’s unique needs, whether it’s streamlining processes, developing marketing strategies, or improving client retention through upselling techniques. My approach is hands-on, rooted in understanding the day-to-day challenges faced by medspas and helping them navigate an increasingly competitive landscape.
Beyond business strategy, I am also passionate about creating partnerships that make an impact. I’ve collaborated with organizations like Thrive Church and Agape International Missions, using my platform to raise awareness and support for causes that matter deeply to me, such as the fight against human trafficking.
Through Candi Aesthetics and Consulting, I’m not only focused on helping businesses grow but also on using my expertise to inspire and empower others. I believe in creating lasting success—for my clients, my community, and the people I work with—through a combination of strategic insight, hard work, and purpose-driven leadership.
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?
Looking back, three key qualities have been most impactful in my journey: resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking. Each of these has played a critical role in shaping both my personal and professional growth.
Resilience has been essential, especially in an industry that’s constantly evolving. I’ve faced setbacks, but the ability to persevere and keep moving forward has allowed me to navigate challenges with confidence. For anyone starting out, I would emphasize the importance of cultivating a strong sense of resilience. Learn to embrace setbacks as part of the process and view them as opportunities to grow. Success is never a straight path, and it’s your ability to bounce back that will define how far you go.
Adaptability has also been crucial. The beauty and aesthetics industry is highly competitive and continuously changing, and being able to pivot quickly, whether it’s adjusting strategies or adopting new technologies, has been a significant advantage. My advice is to remain open to learning and evolving. Stay curious, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. The more adaptable you are, the better equipped you’ll be to seize new opportunities.
Finally, strategic thinking has helped me scale my business and offer valuable insights to my clients. It’s about seeing the bigger picture and making decisions that align with long-term goals, not just short-term gains. For those early in their journey, I recommend taking the time to develop a clear vision for what you want to achieve. Learn to think critically, set measurable goals, and make decisions with purpose. Strategic thinking will allow you to focus your efforts and create a meaningful, sustainable path forward.
These three qualities—resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking—have been the foundation of my success, and I believe they can be cultivated by anyone willing to invest in their own growth.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes, I’m always looking for opportunities to collaborate with like-minded individuals and businesses that share my vision for growth, innovation, and positive impact. I’m particularly interested in partnering with professionals and organizations in the aesthetics industry, as well as those who are passionate about making a difference through purposeful initiatives—whether it’s elevating patient care, improving business operations, or supporting causes like the fight against human trafficking.
I seek to collaborate with those who are committed to excellence, who bring fresh ideas and energy to the table, and who are as invested in creating meaningful change as I am. Whether you’re a medspa looking to refine your operations, a business in the health and beauty space, or a nonprofit interested in partnering for community initiatives, I’m eager to explore how we can work together.
If you’re interested in collaborating, you can connect with me through my business, Candi Aesthetics and Consulting. Feel free to reach out via email at candiaestheticsandconsulting@gmail.com or through my website at CandiConsultsBeauty.com. I look forward to building impactful partnerships that drive success and create lasting change.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://CandiConsultsBeauty.com
- Instagram: @CandiConsultsBeauty
Image Credits
Jason Clay
Aesthetic Sales Hero, Marco Valle
Barbara Taylor
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
