Meet Dawn Candy | Strategic Marketing Consultant

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

Hi Dawn, how do you think about risk?
Without risk, there is no reward! Starting a business can be risky, and starting from scratch is hard. I had guidance as to how to start, but I did not follow a specific template, and the decisions I made were often reactive instead of proactive. I believe staying in your comfort zone prohibits your growth, and my mantra for as long as I can remember has been to “Do it Afraid”! When I started my business in September of 2008, I was recovering from a leg injury from a motorcycle accident. At the time I did not want to start my business, I was afraid. However, after a lot of prayer and arguing with God, I took the leap, with no money in savings because of the medical bills after the surgery to repair my leg, I became a business owner. For the first 6 months, I prayed I would be able to pay my bills, and after the 6th month, it occurred to me that God was not going to let me fail! I am not saying it has been a smooth ride, but it has been the most rewarding risk I have taken to date.
As a business owner, the areas that feel very risky are hiring employees, and other professionals to help you do the things that you don’t do well, like payroll, bookkeeping, taxes, etc. They all feel risky until you take the step and hire help and then you wonder how got along without these professionals in your corner helping you succeed every step of the way.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I Promote You offers a wide range of products and services, including promotional items, corporate apparel and gifts, printing, awards, and incentive programs, event giveaways, marketing consulting, and more.

My passion for helping people has been the driving force and the primary focus for working hand in hand with customers of I Promote You. Creative and outside-the-box thinking has established I Promote You as a true “partner” rather than solely a “service provider.”

In 2020 when Covid shut down the world I used the time to get my Master of Advertising Specialty certification in my industry to prepare to help my customers when things opened up again. Becoming an expert in my industry and finding ways to help my customers reposition themselves and re-imagine how to market their business during that pivotal time proved to be most rewarding.

As a small business owner myself, I can relate to other business owners sometimes feeling overwhelmed, and as if you are alone in the world to handle the challenges that come with owning a business. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Most owners struggle or have challenges, and are very willing to share how they overcame, repositioned or realigned themselves and their business if you ask. I love that about our community, I believe the culture here is that most people want to see you succeed, and they are willing to help you do that, which makes it easier to ask for help when you need it.

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?
Two of my favorite spots are Whiskey Cake and Federal American Grille to eat and enjoy an adult beverage. I love the atmosphere of both restaurants and the food is incredible. I would also take them to Market Street to shop, hang out and watch the kids and families play in the park area. A stroll down the waterway to see the art benches would also be on my list of things to see. My latest discovery is HeBrews Coffeehouse in The Woodlands, it has such an uplifting positive atmosphere, and some tasty gluten-free options on the menu. For a day of pampering, I would start the day at Salt Remedy for a 45-minute salt therapy session, then head to Blissful Waters for a float and top it off with a guided meditation at Zen Holistic Stores. By the end of that day, we would be totally relaxed and ready to lounge around the house and watch a good movie.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband and family have to be my biggest cheerleaders! They support me as I juggle several projects that feed my soul. But also my community has been a huge support to me through the years. I have 25-30 year friendships that have encouraged, supported, done business with me and referred me to others. The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, Montgomery County Association of Business Women, Business Networking International – The Woodlands Winning Edge Chapter, The American Business Women’s Association- Innovative Women in Business, Business Women’s Forum and so many of the area non-profits in our area have helped me grow personally and professionally.

Website: www.ipromoteyou.biz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ipromoteyoutx/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawncandy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IPromoteYouStrategicMarketing