Today we’d like to introduce you to Candiace Dilliard-Bassett and Warren Morris.
Candiace Dillard Bassett is a sassy and savvy 33-year-old former Miss United States, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. At an early age, the Real Housewives of Potomac star learned what excellence looked like from observing her parents, who served in the United States Air Force and worked in different facets of the medical field. A graduate of Howard University, she served a tenure in the White House Offices of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, where she liaised between the White House and the African American community for President Barack Obama. She later traded in her suit and heels for the campaign trail, where she served as a staffer for President Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. In 2013, Candiace won the crown and title of Miss United States and hasn’t looked back since. While she takes pride in her background in public service, she considers herself an artist at heart and is no stranger to performing. Her award-winning independent film debut cast her as the spicy Dr. Nicole St. Claire in Water In A Broken Glass. You can also catch her as Victoria in season two of the web series, Pivot Point and making her lead actor and co-producer debut this summer in a new independent feature called The Cure. This fall, Candiace will guest star alongside Tia Mowry as the spunky Sunita Chanel in Netflix’s Family Reunion.
Music is a second language for Candiace, singing most of her life. From talent competitions to choirs to a girl group, her music journey eventually led her to the production of her first single R&B single, I See You. Forthcoming, with the help of Grammy Award-winning producer, Chucky Thompson, Candiace will release her second single, the I See You Remix. The go-go hit is an homage to the city that adopted her, Washington, DC, featuring Anwan “Big G” Glover of renowned go-go group, Backyard Band.
As an entrepreneur, she is the founder and CEO of Candiace Dillard Pageant Consulting, cofounder of Prima Hair Collection by Candiace Dillard, and co-owner of Chateau Salon Suites. Prima Hair Collection, LLC was started by Candiace, her sister and her mother in 2015 after Candiace passed on her Miss United States title. After spending years in the pageant industry and experimenting with every quality of hair extensions, Candiace found that there wasn’t really a one-stop shop for high quality, Virgin hair that also offered a variety of textures at an affordable price. Thus Prima Hair Collection was born under the mantra “It’s Your Standard of Beauty…own it!” Prima is for the hair enthusiast who loves a classic look but who also isn’t afraid to take risks and live boldly in their standard of beauty. They are proudly rolling out their newest texture: the Catalina Brazilian Kinky Curly for their kinky hair lovers! Visit Primahaircollection.com for more on this and all Prima products. In 2009, she also founded an organization called My Sister’s Keeper, a mentorship and women’s empowerment organization designed to give young girls the opportunity to interact with women in their communities. Candiace is married to her best friend, restaurateur Chris Bassett, whom she met while they were both working at a restaurant in downtown Washington, D.C. When she is not running her numerous businesses, Candiace can be found curled up with a good book, as reading is her favorite pastime. Don’t miss Candiace on season 5 of the Real Housewives of Potomac Sundays at 8PM EST on Bravo TV!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think it’s crazy to assume that any road through the crazy world of entrepreneurship will be smooth. If it’s smooth, you didn’t do any work! I think one of the greatest challenges about being a business owner is not the art of running the business itself but all of the challenges and little fires that you have to put out daily JUST so that the business can run smoothly. By far, the most challenging part about starting Prima Hair Collection was the e-commerce component. Word to the wise: hire a domestic Web Builder and save yourself hours and hours of strife! My first Web Builder was in Dubai because I was trying to save money… cue eyeroll. Setting a budget and really taking the time to prioritize start-up necessities is a must for peace of mind and to mitigate stress.
Prima Hair Collection – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Prima Hair Collection, LLC was started by Candiace, her sister and her mother in 2015 after Candiace passed on her Miss United States title. After spending years in the pageant industry and experimenting with every quality of hair extensions, Candiace found that there wasn’t really a one stop shop for high quality, Virgin hair that also offered a variety of textures at an affordable price. Thus Prima Hair Collection was born under the mantra “It’s Your Standard of Beauty…own it!” Prima is for the hair enthusiast who loves a classic look but who also isn’t afraid to take risks and live boldly in their standard of beauty. They are proudly rolling out their newest texture: the Catalina Brazilian Kinky Curly for their kinky hair lovers! Visit Primahaircollection.com for more on this and all Prima products.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Her publicist Warren Morris of WJM Public Relations says “I define success as meeting a combination of company and personal goals and helping my team do the same. I believe that effective goals motivate us to push ourselves and grow, and as a result of meeting such goals, we not only help the company by meeting its objectives, but we also become more effective entrepreneurs and leaders that can contribute to even greater growth in the future. As a CEO and business owner, I also want my team to feel capable of achieving their goals as well as the company’s objectives, so I make it a priority to lead by example and be positive image that our young black culture can look up to. Candiace looks at success as A question that has haunted me since my very first pageant competition. It’s a question that pops up everywhere in the Pageant industry and in many places in life in general. My definition of success changes with every new goal I set for myself. I’m frankly, rarely satisfied with where I am in my various endeavors because I always feel like I can go further, be better, do more, even when I win or achieve the highest honor. I think that’s the gift and the curse of successful people and ultimately what makes up the journey to success.
If I had to pull out the most necessary elements of a successful person, I would say grit, guts, compassion, innovation, FAITH, patience and conviction. Success is somehow having all of these ingredients at once and still knowing who you are and what your purpose is.
Pricing:
- Right now we are offering a special sale for Voyage ATL reader. For a limited time, take 10% off of our Catalina Brazilian, Kinky Curly WIgs, and Kulali Indian Curly bundles using code: VOYAGE2PRIMATL
Contact Info:
- Address: 831 Fairways Court Suite 200 Stockbridge, GA (Inside our family owned, Chateau Salon Suites)
- Website: www.primahaircollection.com/
- Phone: 678-788-3355
- Email: info@primahaircollection.com
- Instagram: @primahaircollection
Image Credit:
1. The black swimsuit = Antwon Maxwell Photography, 2. The Crown = Benizo
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