Before There Was a Collective, There Was Gaia.
So, Who Is Gaia?
To most of the world, I'm Candace. But somewhere along the way, Gaia became part of my story. And whenever someone hears that name, the curiosity usually follows. Gaia? Where did that come from? What's the story behind it?
Well, I'm glad you asked.
The name came into my life in 2009, when I became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, through the Omicron Alpha Chapter.
What began as a line name eventually became something much more personal. Gaia gave a name to qualities that were already part of me: my creativity, my passion, my protective nature, and my love for bringing people together.
I didn't know then that one day I'd build a business around it. But looking back, I can see how the pieces were coming together long before I recognized the bigger picture.
The Woman Behind the Name
I've always been a little bit of everything. Curious, creative, passionate, opinionated, and rarely short on ideas. I love bringing people together, trying something new, and turning an ordinary moment into a good story.
But I've also been figuring things out along the way.
I've made decisions I'm proud of and others I wouldn't make twice. I've had seasons when I was absolutely sure of myself and others when I had no idea what I was doing. Sometimes life taught me a lesson. Other times, I had to admit I was the one who created the lesson in the first place.
And through all of it, my curiosity about people never went away. Why we do what we do. How we become who we are. What makes us feel connected, confident, challenged, or inspired.
That curiosity would eventually find its way into just about everything I did.
And Here We Are.
Somewhere along the way, all those ideas, interests, and passions needed a home. That's how Gaia's Passions began, and over time, it grew into The Gaia Collective.
A place where I could bring together the things I love while creating opportunities for others to grow, learn, connect, and experience something meaningful.
I'm still creating, still learning, and still discovering what this can become. And that's part of the fun.
Curious about what we're creating together?
Explore The Gaia Collective →