Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Rodgers.
Hi Candace, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Candace Rodgers, I’m 36, and I’m an Influencer, model, and REALTOR® from Dallas, TX. I remember sitting down at dinner with my friend Colby back in 2021 after dance class, and I told her that I wanted to be an influencer. Fast forward to 2022, one of my reels went viral, and I went from around 2,000 followers to 25,000 followers within a couple of days. That reel has over 100,000 likes and more than 2 million plays! I didn’t really understand the work that it took to be a creative at that point, but I get it now, and I’ve been able to successfully monetize my platform through sponsorships/partnerships with brands such as Yitty, Zenni, and Wish just to name a few. As far as modeling, it’s something that I’ve always loved, but growing up I was always too large for the regular runway size, and too small to be considered plus size, so I gave up. But in 2022, a photographer reached out to do a shoot, and my modeling career has taken off ever since! As far as real estate, I bought my first home in 2020 right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. I worked with an amazing REALTOR®, and I started watching more real estate shows with black women. I was so inspired seeing women that looked like me, selling luxury homes, that I decided to go to real estate school. I got my license in 2023, and my business has been flourishing!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been an interesting journey, for sure. When you go viral, you get a lot of love, but you also get a lot of hate. I wasn’t prepared for all of the negativity, and eventually, I just stopped reading the comments. Another thing I ran into is that a lot of creatives gate-keep, and don’t want to help you out when you a have questions. You have to figure out so much on your own. My thing is that there is so much space in the influencer world, why wouldn’t you want to help someone get on your level? The other challenge that I’ve run into is that many brands will tell you no. But on the flip side, many brands will tell you yes, you just have to be patient and consistent with reaching out.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an influencer and model. When you go to my page, you will find everything from fitness to fashion to dance. I’m proud of the platform that I’ve built. I love receiving messages from followers that I don’t know about how they enjoy seeing me on their timelines, and they tell me, “Hey, I tried those dance moves, or I bought that dress you had on, or I tried that workout at the gym.” I love that I’m inspiring people. I think what sets me apart is my genuineness, and when people come to me online with questions in my DMs, if I can’t answer them, I always point them in the right direction.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Soulja, The Rancher in Stilettos by Marcia Williams Cromer
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Arsenio Maxey
Melvin Sweats
Christopher Ogbonna
Donavon Douglas
