Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Strong.
Candace, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up, I always struggled to drink water. I know it is silly to say, but it is true. I was very active and involved in sports, such as cheerleading and basketball, but water was never my first choice when it was time to hydrate. I would always go for a juice of some sort, like Gatorade or Powerade.
In 2017, this bad habit of not drinking water would change me. I had a scare at a previous job. I was working and I kept feeling really sharp pains in my back – to the point where it would hurt when I tried to walk or stand up. Long story short, I went to Urgent Care and found out that I had a kidney infection. I had never felt a pain so painful in my life, and I knew I did not want to ever feel that way again.
I followed the doctor’s orders, to take it easy and add more water to my diet. I cut out caffeine and all sugary drinks and would only drink diet cranberry juice, but I was still not consuming the amount of water I was supposed to for my body to function properly.
Fast forward to 2019, I decided that I wanted to make some healthy lifestyle changes. I would work out and drink water, but the ratio of water I was consuming did not balance out to the workout I was doing. My best friend shared an article with me about infused waters and the benefits of the fruits. Soon afterwards, I started researching other infused water combos and their benefits on the body.
In April 2019, I started adding different fruits to my water and taking them to work with me. When I would go and workout, I had no problem finishing the infused water. Soon after that, I would post pictures of my different water combos on Instagram and would tell my followers to let me know if they were interested in purchasing my infused water combos.
The name Strong Water came about later, but the name comes from my last name. Something simple, something catchy, and something that would always be with me. After I got the name that would match the product I was advertising, I designed a logo and started looking for water bottles.
With the endless support of my family and friends, I was able to get Strong Water up and running. I make sure I purchase fresh fruits and thoroughly wash and all fruit before preparing orders. I use natural spring water, and finish the sale with phenomenal customer service.
Now, I have branched into making smoothies along with the water. Strong Smoothies, made for your perfect breakfast starter or just a treat to enjoy on the go. With the smoothies, I do not offer a wide variety of flavors like I do with the waters since I have just started making smoothies about a month and a half ago,
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all. I am currently working on obtaining my Master’s degree in Social Work. Between my full-time job, working in the school system, going to school, and trying to run a business, is very challenging and not easy at all. At times, I would get complaints about the price of my product, customers would place an order and not pick them up, or my schedule would limit me in making orders for customers when they needed them. It would really get discouraging when people would place an order and not pick it up, mainly because I allowed customers to order any “special” infused combo they would like. The downside to that is, if they did not pick up their order, I would have a Strong Water combo that I could not sell to another customer. This would take away from my products because I was using them but not being able to sell them. Then, when it came to the price of my Strong Water, I would not charge for delivery, therefore I was not making a profit from the water being sold, as the gas used to make deliveries would be more than the cost of the waster that the customer ordered.
Any advice I would pass on to young women is, do not be scared to go after what you believe. You will not know unless you try. Also, it is okay to network and ask for help/advice. I ask my family and friends for anything. Nine times out of ten, when your family/friends see that you are passionate about your business venture, you do not even have to ask; they offer the help, advice, and support. My last and most important thing would be, DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING PERSONAL.
Please tell us about Strong Water.
Strong Water is catered to those who are into a fit and healthy lifestyle; or those like me, who realized that I wanted to start making better health decisions about what I put into my body. Strong Water is an infused water combo that is made with fresh fruits and natural spring water.
Since I have started working out with my personal trainer, The Body Plug, she convinced me to expand my brand by offering smoothies. After workouts, she allowed me to sell Strong Water and Strong Smoothies at the gym.
The thing I am most proud of is the endless support system that I have around me. I took something that I decided would help me with my own health goals, and shared it with the world.
I think the thing that sets me apart from others is, I actually want to know what my customers think and how they feel about my product… is it good, is it bad, should I add anything, or take anything out? I am always open to opinions and I take all constructive criticism into consideration.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
Strong Water is not just a name, it is more of a lifestyle for me. The name Strong holds a lot of weight in my family. My family has always been the ones to tell me to go after whatever I believe in and they are always behind me 100%.
I have seen my mother and my father work many so many businesses, on the side. Using their special talents. (The many after work can be taken out & the period after side can be taken out as well).
My Grandmother ran her own Convenience Store in North Carolina when she was alive, and my dad always tells me of how much I remind him of my Great-Grandfather who ran a store of his own as well. I have always worked hard in what I believe in. Seeing the people around me work hard, while I was growing up, only gave me the extra push of motivation I needed.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 404-907-0268
- Instagram: @infused_strongwater
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InfusedStrongWater/
Image Credit:
DoubleTheLauren
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