We had the good fortune of connecting with Kandace Anderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kandace, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
One thing I now know and am reminded of often is that I have a high tolerance for risk. The things that I’ve done, start a business, claim to be great at it, take on cofounders, really just commit to this thing: I understand that for some it seems almost crazy. But really it’s either you have a high tolerance for risk or you don’t.
I’ve been working for years on sharpening my intuition and my judgment. When I’m about to make a decision, I try to separate my fear from my intuition to ensure that something is really the wrong move and not that I’m just afraid. So what seems like a huge risk to others is often just the logical next step for me. I’m willing to bet on myself. I’m willing to do the work.
What should our readers know about your business?
Departmynt is the the only size inclusive & eco friendly virtual stylist…and it’s free! The customer only pays for what they buy. After customers complete a 3 minute style quiz, our algorithm searches our vast virtual closet and matches the customer with compatible items. Our technology alerts us when those results don’t meet guidelines so we can ensure an excellent customer experience every time.
Unlike the competition that wastes energy sending products the customer hasn’t even seen yet that up returned OR overnighting dress rentals after a failed delivery, we deliver the matches…to her app. From there she views her matches and buys only what she wants. Meanwhile we save on fuel and energy.
Departmynt started out as an idea for me a few years ago that I leaned into 100% after I lost my job in March of 2020. Launching this business has been the most exhilarating challenge. I’m so excited to bring to our customers the excellent styling experience they deserve. Our app is in private testing mode now but we will soon be going public!
In addition to connecting our customers with their next favorite outfits, we also provide styling tools on our blog. At the end of the day, we know that it’s a gift for a woman to walk into the world feeling great about herself and we want to make it easier for her to do that.
Your style is our Departmynt!
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Great question! Here are some must visit places in Dallas (which are mostly restaurants!)
Lucia
Pecan Lodge
DMA
Latin Deli
Pangea
Tei-An
Yolk
Mesero
Village Baking Co.
Braum’s
Gemma
North Park Mall
And of course my forever favorite hang: a house party with our friends.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m lucky to have the impossible task of picking just one person to thank so I won’t. I’d like to shoutout my husband, Cameron, who is the type of partner who gives me the space I need to explore. I thank my parents who opened up an office for me in their home and who watch our young child.
I thank the people who have wittingly (or unwittingly ha) served as my mentors as I made my way to and through Departmynt: Dean Harris, Jack Oslan, Megan Holston Alexander, Joah Spearman and Felicia Chen.
I thank my first ever Departmynt team mate, Tara Butler, and my genius cofounder Leyla Battista-Channell. I thank my forever silent partner and friend, Adrianne Dismuke.
Website: departmynt.co
Instagram: instagram.com/departmynt
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kandaceaanderson/
Facebook: facebook.com/departmynt