candace gasper’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

We’re looking forward to introducing you to candace gasper. Check out our conversation below.

Hi candace, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think a lot of people are carrying grief they don’t know how to talk about.

Grief is complicated. It makes people uncomfortable. We live in a culture that values forward momentum and positivity, not that those are inherently bad things. But we’re told to push past the uncomfortable, sweep it under the rug, and make it go away, even if bringing it to light might be the way to heal it.

The problem is, grief doesn’t disappear just because we look away. It lingers in the small, mundane moments. A song on the radio, in-season fruits you used to enjoy together, the smell of a shampoo or aftershave on another person that isn’t them, and it can catch us off guard.

I’ve been trying to share more of my own grief, not because it’s easy, but because I’ve learned how lonely it feels to believe you’re the only one still carrying it. My hope is that if I can put it into words, maybe it gives someone else permission to speak theirs out loud too.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a writer, digital marketing specialist, and social media content creator. Right now I’m splitting my time between work and studying for my real estate license. In my free time, I’m trying to create written pieces that invite people to be a little more honest; both with themselves and others.

Through Digital Candy, I help brands stand out with bold, witty, and emotionally resonant content that actually feels human. I believe marketing should spark connection, not just transactions.

Alongside my professional work, I’ve been exploring grief and memory in my personal writing. I’m trying to share the small, everyday ways loss shows up in life. It’s both real and for some reason, embarrassing even thought it really shouldn’t be. But I’ve learned that speaking about the hard things often gives others permission to do the same.

Right now, I’m balancing all of that with a new chapter: pursuing my real estate license. It’s an exciting challenge, and one that blends my love for connecting with people and my eye for seeing the potential in spaces; whether that’s a home, a business, or an idea.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad taught me the most about work. He would always tell me growing up, “Candace it doesn’t matter how much money you make as long as you do what you love. When you do what you love, the money will follow. If you are following your passion, it doesn’t matter if you’re eating ramen noodles every night, you will feel rich.”

I know that advice can be divisive today but for me it really resonated. Work to me can be all consuming so when I’m not doing something I love, that unhappiness and disdain really shows up in every area of my life. My dad worked hard and taught me about kindness and how important community is.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
Digital Candy was always so important to me. It was and still is my baby. I started Digital Candy in 2019 with only the knowledge of my love for social media marketing and content writing. I quickly scaled my business and networked my butt off to create something worth having and working on. But in 2023, when my Dad suffered a stroke all of my priorities changed. Social media no longer seemed important. Content writing seemed dull. And going to networking events and smiling and telling people I was doing great was absolutely impossible. I’ve never been good at hiding my moods, so I knew something had to change.

I slowed down my business and decided to take a less stressful job working as an operations assistant at a flower shop in Newport, KY. Of course, entrepreneurship is a part of my DNA and something that I can’t deny in my spirit. So I started studying for my real estate license. I hope to continue and build on top of what my Grandfather and Father built.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I try to be as authentic as I can in my private life and my public life. As I mentioned before, I’ve never been good at hiding my moods, dislikes, or disdain. So fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your perspective, I just happen to me all of the time.

The only times I’m not ‘me’ are probably when I’m hangry or just woke up from a nap, lol.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m somewhere with little to no phone service, spotty wifi, and lots of books and trails to walk on. I love being online, don’t get me wrong. But there’s something so freeing about being unreachable and having all day and all night to wander and mosey and get lost in a book.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.digitalcandyllc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pugprxncess/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candace-gasper-90151838/
• Other: https://substack.com/@pugprxncess

Image Credits
Kellie Coleman