Candice Van Dertholen

I attribute my success to my journey of unlearning and relearning, and understanding that you have to recalibrate often. In November 2024, I sat in meditation asking if I was meant to do this work or if I needed to move on. It was like the Taylor Swift song 'It's me, I'm the problem' came through, and I realized I wasn't positioning myself the way I know how to do. I wasn't doing anything business-related - no networking, no meeting people, no sales calls, none of the actual legwork that's required in business. So I shifted my focus. I had my first client in December that signed up for 3 months, then I had 4 clients in January's first week, and it continued all the way through 2025 where I had 92 clients, 2 fully booked retreats, and I started public speaking. Then I launched a women's mastermind in January that had 33 members and another that currently has 25. Now I'm putting on a men's event in September with amazing speakers. My journey has taught me that anything is possible if you take the time to pay attention. I also draw on my professional background - I've been in leadership and business management for 20 years, with my own business for 4 years. I started my career as a manager at age [AGE], running a gym with zero background in management, doing about 5 jobs at once in a smaller company. I learned pretty quickly that I would have to dive into understanding myself, so personal development was something that helped carry me through.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is that I can build a successful career in a field I genuinely love while also making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

The advice I would give to young women entering my industry is that success and leadership are within their reach, especially when they remain grounded in their personal values and experiences. I believe each person’s journey plays a powerful role in shaping who they are meant to become. By embracing their growth, learning from challenges, and staying true to themselves, they can develop into confident, capable professionals who reach their full potential.

The biggest opportunities in my field right now involve gaining broad exposure, continuously learning, and positioning myself to grow in ways that allow me to better serve and support as many clients as possible. I see tremendous potential in expanding my experience, building stronger professional skills, and leveraging every opportunity to make a meaningful impact. At the same time, this requires adaptability, dedication, and a commitment to ongoing personal and professional development so I can truly flourish in my role and deliver the best possible outcomes for those I serve.

The values most important to me in my work and personal life are hard work, service, and continuous growth. I am committed to using my skills, training, and experiences—along with the challenges I’ve faced—to help others and make a meaningful impact, especially through supporting small businesses like coffee shops. I also value balance and resilience, which I find through running and spending time in nature. As a military spouse and volunteer with the Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce, I deeply value community connection, advocacy, and purpose-driven service.