Advocating for self-love and positivity: A Q&A with Candace Molatore

Happy Monday, beauties!

I’m excited to share a new Real Women, Real Balance interview with you today.

I was immediately drawn to Candace Molatore’s upbeat positivity and her gorgeous travel photos. She is a Social Media Strategist and Photographer based in Portland, OR and we both share a passion for collaboration + building community. I’m so honored to have Candace on the blog today to share her story with you all.

Advocating for self-love and positivity: A Q&A with Candace Molatore

Hi Candace! Will you start by telling us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Candace Molatore and I’m a 23-year-old Social Media Strategist and Photographer from Portland, Oregon. I’m passionate about encouraging people to tell their stories and helping businesses to be their most authentic selves online. I also am a huge advocate for body positivity and inclusiveness when it comes to the fashion scene.

What inspired you to start your business?

It really started as a hobby. I was interested in social media on a personal level and became immersed into creating my own content and helping my friends take fun photos for their pages. Somewhere along the way, I began doing it for local businesses and it kind of just took off from there. Now I do a small amount of platform management along with consulting and micro-influencer work for bigger brands.

What does a typical day look like for you?

When social media is your job, every day is like a work day. I take time for myself, but there’s always something to do 7 days a week. Today began in a 9am meeting with a prospective client, followed by some online engagement and photo work from about 11am – 1:30pm, a strategy meeting with one of my current clients, a quick conference call at 3:30pm, and then rounding out the day answering emails and this interview!

I’m curious, what do you do when you’re not working?

When your job involves a screen, it can be tempting to stay inside all day. On days I’m not working, or doing less work than today, I try to get out as much as I can by visiting a local restaurant or coffee spot. Sometimes, I’ll just enjoy a walk or I’ll try doing something fun with friends when they’re available!

As you know, The Balanced Life is all about empowering women to approach health & fitness with a balanced mindset. How do you handle the pressure as a woman to look or act a certain way?

On my personal account, I’m all about positivity and self love. I believe the expectations that society places on women are frankly too exhausting to uphold and maintain a satisfying life. I found I was much happier when I looked the way I wanted to, feeling free to experiment with different outfits and hairstyles. I was less anxious when I felt confident enough to speak up about things I was passionate about. It didn’t happen overnight, but now I live my life for me, dressing and acting and being unapologetically myself.

What does balance mean to you during your current season of life?

I’m still figuring this one out. Every day can be a new experience, but overall balance to me means doing what I love and providing for myself, while also taking time for my mental and emotional needs. My end goal is just to be happy and to not burn out.

Who/what inspires you to keep living well?

I see (and am friends with) so many amazing girl bosses living in Portland who are also working on finding balance. There is such a creative scene where I live and everyone is very open to collaborate, share tips, and work together. It really inspires me to go after what I want in life, knowing that it’s totally attainable and to not be afraid to go at my own pace because there is truly room for everyone.

What is your best tip for maintaining a healthy lifestyle in the midst of a busy life?

I meditate often. Every night. It really helps me collect my thoughts and let them flow. It can be tough to wind down after a full day, but meditating in the evenings ensures a night of good uninterrupted rest which is very important to me!

What projects are you currently working on that you’d like us to know about?

I’m in the midst of a project with two impactful brands that debuts at the end of this month. I’m so excited to share it once it does launch. You can keep up with me on my instagram and continue the conversation of self love and positivity with me there!

Thank you, Candace! It’s an honor to have you here on the blog today. Thank you for the work you are doing to inspire others!

xo,