Meet Kandice Brock-Smith

We recently connected with Kandice Brock-Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Kandice, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I truly found my purpose through the power of prayer and having a personal relationship with God. My purpose could only be found in Jesus Christ! By acknowledging God in everything I do, both personally and professionally, I can sincerely say that He directs my paths. Seeking God’s perfect will for my life helps me to walk in the purpose He has for 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?

Certainly! My name is Kandice Brock-Smith and I am the founder and CEO of “My Blessed Nest” located in Prince George’s County, Maryland. “My Blessed Nest” is a Christian Boutique that offers an array of Bible Study tools and faith-based home décor items. We specialize in handcrafting custom-blended home fragrances such as room sprays, wax melts, and candles that are inspired by the Word of God.

For as long as I can remember, I have always adored candles! I enjoy the flickering glow of the flame, the invigorating aromas, and the comforting ambiance. Interestingly enough, my mother did not allow me to light candles in our home growing up. Her primary concern was not merely the potentially hazardous flame, but she was not willing to risk introducing the toxic chemicals that are found in many conventional candles into our home. Little did I know that this once “forbidden” home décor item would later become the start of a new business!

“My Blessed Nest” was birthed from my alone time with God. One day after a noonday prayer session in my home, the Lord placed an idea in my heart to create fragrances inspired by various women of the Bible. I began to capture these ideas in my journal, not knowing what it was for at the time. As I continued to walk by faith, God’s providence truly confirmed His plan.

Not only was God preparing me in fasting and prayer for the journey of starting a new business, but He was also preparing me for something that would change my life forever. In 2021, my beloved father, Pastor Robert Brock-Smith, Jr., passed away from pancreatic cancer. Until his dying day, my father embodied a love, strength, and resilience that could only be explained by the grace of God. While heartbroken over the loss of my father, I was comforted in knowing that the life he lived was not in vain. I was inspired to boldly step out on faith and to use every God-given talent to its fullest capacity. Realizing how short life truly is, I remember praying, “Lord, I want to leave empty.” I was encouraged by Ecclesiastes 9:10 which states, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” God ignited a fire in my heart and I was determined not to hold back on the gifts that God placed in my hands.

It also became increasingly important to me to source ingredients that would not be toxic to our health. Knowing that life and death are in God’s hands and there are certain things that are beyond our control, I asked God for the knowledge, understanding and wisdom to be as health-conscious as humanly possibly. By God’s grace, I was able to produce unique, faith-infused candles, wax melts and room sprays with sustainably sourced, custom-blended fragrances that are free from harmful ingredients. “My Blessed Nest” offers a variety of candle collections featuring iconic figures of the Bible, scriptures, and inspirational themes. Each of our fragrances offer an uplifting, sensory experience! We are currently expanding our product line to include inspirational wall art and other home décor items to help our customers adorn their homes with reflections of the love of Jesus Christ!

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?

In retrospect, I believe the three qualities that were the most significant in my journey were humility, passion, and determination. My advice would be to prioritize focusing on these qualities. Proverbs 18:12 says, “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.” In today’s society, humility is often misconstrued as weakness. However, it requires a greater strength to exude humility than it does to portray arrogance and pride. The inability to submit to wisdom, having a “big bead,” and being a “know it all” closes so many doors that would otherwise propel us into achieving our goals and fulfilling our purpose.

Secondly, we must be passionate about what we do! As entrepreneurs, we often wear so many hats and encounter numerous obstacles. At the end of the day, what keeps us coming back is our love for what we do and our desire to have a positive impact on others. When we are passionate about our work, we are intentional about every decision we make. Being passionate makes the work rewarding in and of itself, and the satisfaction of the value that we bring to others only enhances that reward!

Lastly, having determination is a necessity. Rather than running from challenges and giving up during difficult times, maintaining determination enables us to embrace those challenges and grow from them. We must be determined to endure the process in order to fulfill purpose and receive the promise! Gold must be tried in the fire to be proven as pure. Diamonds are formed under extreme pressure. Pearls are produced as a result of exposure to harsh irritants. The process may not be glamorous, but the results are well worth it!

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was raise me in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The foundation of faith they provided me from my youth up has guided me my entire life. My parents did not just tell me what to do, but they led by example. They taught me how to be loving, genuine, compassionate, diligent, committed, and so many other wonderful qualities. My parents truly loved one another until death, and that pure love overflowed to their children. Knowing that I was loved, cared for, and raised according to God’s Word caused me to recognize and appreciate how blessed I truly am. Being raised in a loving, Christian home has made me the woman I am today and has filled my heart with so much love and positivity to share with the world! As I share the love of Jesus Christ through my work, my prayer is that souls will be blessed, inspired, and encouraged! There is joy in the journey!

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