Candace Huffmaster took enough psychology and art classes in High School to know that there were many avenues for her to explore and find her calling.  

Fab40:Describe how you started out in your career field, if you attended college.

CH:My family was pivotal in my exploration of  who I am individually as well as what my character was going to become. They exemplified and involved our family with many aspects of business opportunities that allowed us to meet our families needs as well as provide for others.  We volunteered, mentored, and had several businesses. They were encouraging of getting an education and perusing opportunities that would make financial sense.  After attending the University of Tennessee and Austin Peay University I transferred to Bauder College.  Later, I attended a Tennessee Technology Center to diversify my  profession.

Fab40:Are you currently working in the same profession you intended to when starting your career path or has it taken  you in another direction and what is your current profession?

CH:Let's say...it took many paths to equip me for my hearts desire =D

Fab40:During our careers, there  are always challenges we are faced with that may or may not be gender related.  I would like to know the most significant challenges you have been faced throughout your career or are facing now, and how you overcame them or plan to  overcome them.

CH:Staying on our personal journey while  respecting other journeys is quiet challenging.  Some of my choices hindered forward movement and at times I lost focus.  All that being said, I would not trade any of the experiences for an expedited arrival.   It would have been without color or flavor, simply an accomplishment of self. For me personally that would be void.

Fab40:What keeps/kept you from giving up along the way when faced with tough challenges or let downs? Where did you find the strength or desire to keep pushing forward?

CH:Faith and Hope

Fab40:What are your accomplishments you are most proud of and why?

CH:Actually most the accomplishments that I hold dear are not my  own, they are the ones that I desired to support. With that being said...maybe the one I am most in awe of is that I made it to the point where  that is what I am most proud of.

CH:Did/do you  have a support system surrounding you throughout your career climbing and if  so, who are they and how did/do they help you?  

CH:As for me,  my support comes from God.  That does not mean that it does not take a community of REAL people.  There have been so many times in my life that others were so involved in their own burdens that if it had not been for my  faith I would have been in a state of hopelessness.  However, when there  was ever a time that I was bottoming out, He made sure the perfect people or  person showed up.

Fab40:What do you attribute your  success to?  

CH:I think you know the answer to  that...God.

Fab40:Has goal setting been a key  component to your success and why?  

CH:Absolutely, with out  order there is chaos.  It takes a plan and a process to reach anything worth obtaining.

Fab40:In helping yourself achieve  career goals, do you perform any type of mediation, relaxation or  affirmations? If so, what has your experience been in relation to helping you accomplish your professional and personal goals?  

CH:Through  reading the bible, meditation writing and art, I have gained clarity focus and vision.

Fab40:Have you had any mentors that have  guided you or provided insight throughout your career climbing? Have you been  a mentor to others? What was your experience like?  

CH:Artist/instructors, Family members and some public figures that inspired many  of us.  

Fab40:What is your experience with  networking and do you feel it is important? If so why or why not? Please describe any positive or negative experiences you may have had.

CH:I believe it is such an awesome expansion of community.  If  there is a down side, I think it is easier for a person to make unconscionable  decisions that infringe upon individuals or businesses due to many  factors that hold us accountable when we are in real space with the people in  and out of our lives.  

What do you feel  are the essentials to career climbing and why? Keeping a  balance and always being able to take a step back to regain  focus.

Fab40:Where do you see yourself in your career  in 5 or 10 years and how do you plan on getting there?

CH:Doing much of the same and not being afraid of change.  I  desire to embrace all that desires to be encompassed and moving toward a  better understanding of unity and wholeness.  

Fab40:Are you involved in any non-profit organizations as a volunteer or board  member? If so, which charity and why did you choose that particular charity?  What role do you have in supporting them?

CH:Yes, I founded Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc. in 2007 it started out as mentoring groups for  women and children within Domestic Violence shelters. Over the past 3 years we have branched out due to the interest in a variety of groups within  communities.  We train staff and volunteers, we hold events for women to find community, we exhibit in galleries, we train aestheticians as well as organize spa events for non-profit organizations.  We also are in the process of setting up spa services for missionaries as part of how we give back to those serving our communities here and across the continents.