We had the good fortune of connecting with Kandi Wade and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kandi, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I originally started my own business to make additional income to pay my bills down and be able to leave the company I was working for. However, after a couple months in my mind started shifting towards becoming a full time entrepreneur.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I currently, work in the social work field but I am a criminal justice graduate. My special talent is working with kids which I have done for over 10 plus years. When I first started working I was young and chase the money so I pretty much worked at every job possible. But as I got older my desires change and I fell in love with working with Juveniles in detention. I came in with the biggest heart thinking I was going to save all the kids. As time past I started seeing the pros and cons of the criminal justice system and notice it was unfair. I would watch kids come in and out the system and would feel defeated. It would pull on my heart because I often felt we were failing them. We would literally detain them temporarily and release them back into the toxic environments that lead them to the system. So for years I tried to do all I could to educate and empower them within the guidelines set by the agency. After, years of defeat I switch to the state and became a social worker but I found myself with all the things I thought would make me happy but yet I felt incomplete. I remember like yesterday calling my mom and telling her something is wrong I did what everyone told me to I went to school, graduated, and had a good job but I felt so empty. I felt like i was living life for others and not myself I didn’t even know what I wanted. To my surprise my mom understood and told me she would support me if I wanted to walk away. So I did and by doing so I had to find ways to replace my income and that’s when I started doing Uber/Lyft but I still continue to work part time to survive. I didn’t know it at the time but it was prepping me for what I am doing today. I learned all the skills and needs to run a business.

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?
I’m a foodie that loves to have fun. I would give them a tour to all my favorite food places. I have so many so I would literally ask what their preference was. It’s hard to list out a trip because I have so many places so far as food we would make stops at: Baby Back Shak best ribs in Dallas Elaine’s best Jamaica food in Dallas Trompo in Bishop Arts for veggie quesadillas Big Daddy’s south Dallas for best chicken wings Snooze for breakfast Main Street Tacos in Duncanville Big Mama’s in Fort Worth for soul food Glorias for margaritas Joe Cajun in Grand Prairie for seafood Val’s Cheesecake Ruthies Food truck Broken Egg for breakfast Mash’d in Frisco Pho Chau Restaurant Za Lat Pizza Serious Pizza Those are just some of my favorites I have a long list of food spots. Far as activities I like to catch the trolley in uptown to ride to the Klyde Warren Park. I would hang out in Deep Ellum and bar hop but must stop at select start. Catch the free museum’s downtown. Definitely hitting up trinity groove area, bishop arts, and uptown. Must go to Bishop Cidercade for beer and arcades. Drive in movies in Ennis, Texas. Catch the Dart and ride to Fort Worth. Ellen’s Amusement, Top Golf, Hero’s Lounge, Sue Ellen’s, Grapevine Bar, Gators Dallas, Round Up Saloon, Blues Palace

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother Bernadette Wade who lead and taught me everything I know. She was a visionary and seen things thru. At times, I didn’t understand her moves I thought she was crazy. Until one day I realize she was building something bigger than her. Years later I ran across a slide show that was a step by step plan to her goals. It blew my mind because I was able to follow her journey thru the sides she was very detail and considered all factors. Even to the point of her own death she had set me up for success. I didn’t know until I went thru the process of making phones calls to ensure all her affairs were in order. She had things setup and I literally didn’t have to do much but report her death. I remember thinking “wow she still is protecting me even in her passing”. I feel so bless to experience unconditional love.

Instagram: KandiWade
Facebook: Dette’s Den