BUILT THROUGH THE BREAKTHROUGHS: CANDICE RAY IS TURNING RESILIENCE INTO IMPACT

Success rarely tells the whole story. Behind every milestone are decisions, setbacks, sacrifices, and moments when walking away might have seemed easier than moving forward. For Candice Ray, those moments have become part of the foundation of her leadership. As an entrepreneur and CEO navigating business, healthcare, visibility, and the responsibility that comes with leading others, Ray has learned that resilience isn’t simply about surviving difficult seasons—it’s about using them to build something stronger.

In this candid conversation with POPOUT Magazine, Ray opens up about the failures behind her successes, navigating social media as a businesswoman, facing a devastating $1.7 million revenue loss, and the difficult leadership decisions that followed. She also shares the women she would invite to her ultimate dinner table and reveals why her definition of “making it” has little to do with fame or accolades—and everything to do with creating lasting change.

Mo Clark: You’ve built a brand that’s uniquely yours. What’s one misconception people have about Candice Ray, and what’s something your biggest supporters understand about you that others don’t?

Candice Ray: While it might appear that I have achieved more successes than failures, the reality is quite the opposite. Many view my journey through the lens of my achievements, overlooking the numerous setbacks that have shaped my path. Each success is often accompanied by a series of failures that taught me valuable lessons and built my resilience. These experiences are not always visible to others but have been crucial in my growth. They have taught me that failure is not something shameful but rather a stepping-stone to success. My biggest supporters understand this because I am always vocal and honest about the journey. It’s not always pretty, but it’s one heck of a ride.

Mo Clark: Let’s play “Keep It or Leave It.” Fame, social media, relationships, and success—which one has been the most challenging to navigate, and why?

Candice Ray: Social media content has been the hardest for me to navigate. People want to see more of Candice Ray, know my story and what I stand for. I used to focus only on putting the brand out there, but I had to realize I am a part of that as well. As a small business CEO, I’m out here working day in and day out to keep the wheels turning. I feel like in addition to my job, content creation is an extra job. I could go without it, but I know its importance in a service-based business. I’m all about that real work, let’s get it done, not just talk about it.

Mo Clark: Everyone sees the highlight reel. Can you share a moment that almost made you give up, but ultimately became a turning point in your career or personal life?

Candice Ray: One of my businesses lost $1.7 million in reimbursement a year ago, due to a policy change, and we only had 90 days’ notice before it took effect. Ninety days to rebuild a revenue line that had taken years to establish.

The first move was to cut expenses and downsize the team, hoping we could hold on long enough to find new footing. We told ourselves it was temporary. But a year later, the math still didn’t work. I had to lay off staff and move that work to outsourced contractors instead. The hardest part was not the funding loss itself, but having to look people in the eye twice: once to ask them to do more with less and again to tell them there wasn’t a role for them anymore.

At that point, I seriously considered walking away due to the weight of knowing that the decisions I made had real effects on other people’s lives. What kept me going was realizing that quitting wouldn’t undo any of it. The only way through was to rebuild something that could actually support the people still there and those we serve. I made it my mission to collaborate with corporations that knew my companies’ value and whose missions aligned with ours, so that new business could be generated.

Mo Clark: If you could host the ultimate girls’ night with any three women—living or historical—who’s making the guest list, and what conversation do you think would dominate the table?

Candice Ray: Girls’ night would be Michelle Obama, MacKenzie Scott and Harriet Tubman.

A dinner with these three would be a masterclass in courage, discipline, and leadership with values. Each of these women represents a different chapter of what it means to build something bigger than yourself. I would ask them one major question: “What do you do when the system wasn’t built for people like you, and you have to lead anyway?”

Based on what each of them is known for, these are the conversations that would dominate the table:

With Michelle Obama, the topic would center on how to lead publicly while staying rooted in who you are, and about her own inspiring journey from lawyer to First Lady to global advocate for girls’ education.

With Harriet Tubman, the conversation would revolve around making high-stakes decisions, leading others through danger, and the discipline required when failure isn’t an option.

With MacKenzie Scott, the natural topic is capital and power: how to give it away effectively, how wealth can either entrench control or redistribute opportunity, and what accountability looks like when you’re the one holding resources.

Mo Clark: Looking ahead, what is the one project, goal, or dream that would make you say, “I’ve truly arrived,” even after everything you’ve already accomplished?

Candice Ray: Honestly, it wouldn’t be a headline or an award. It would be the moment I saw my work sitting inside an actual policy decision, something that changed how a healthcare system treats people, not just how it talks about them.

I’ve already lived through what it feels like when a decision made far away from the people it affects can cost a business $1.7 million in 90 days and, a year later, cost people their jobs. I know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of a decision I had no seat at the table for. So, I can say I have truly arrived when I have earned a seat at that table. I want to be in the room when decisions that determine whether people can access care, keep their coverage, or afford treatment are made.

THE NEXT LEVEL ISN’T A TITLE—IT’S A SEAT AT THE TABLE

For Candice Ray, “arrival” isn’t measured by applause, followers, headlines, or awards. It’s measured by impact. Her journey is proof that some of the strongest leaders aren’t created during the wins—they’re shaped by the moments that force them to rethink, rebuild, and keep moving when the outcome is uncertain.

Now, Ray is looking beyond simply building successful businesses. She wants her experience to help influence the systems and policies that affect businesses, families, and access to healthcare. After navigating decisions made without her at the table, her next chapter is about earning a seat there—and using her voice to make sure the people affected by those decisions are represented when they’re made. For Ray, that may be the most meaningful success of all.