Candice VanWye is an all-around entrepreneur and has been from an early age. She is the creator of Brown Girl Bloggers (BGB), an online community promoting and encouraging minority women bloggers, which helps them and their audience connect with brands. Candice, of course, blogs herself on career, style, and other general happenings. Virgo Girl Media chatted, over some local coffee, and got the inside scoop on Candice’s past and future plans.
Give us the 4-1-1 on the ever so popular blogging life and what category you fall under.
It’s amazing for sure. It’s a great way to meet wonderful people and make connections. Through BGB I fall under blogging about blogging. On my personal site I blog about style and entrepreneurship so I guess you could call me a lifestyle blogger.
Congratulations on the success of Brown Girl Bloggers. Tell us what made you create this hub for bloggers and the process behind the execution.
I decided to create BGB because I didn’t see anything like it on the Internet. I wanted a place to connect with women of color who blogged and I wanted them to connect with one another. Instead of just having social media pages I wanted a blog roll and a central place to promote these ladies and help create real connections.
The process to create BGB was very tedious. Since there was nothing like this I had to go and manually find bloggers through social media first. I actually spent a month finding bloggers and manually adding them to the blog roll. Once I launched the site I emailed every minority woman blogger I could think of and it grew from there.
You’ve created a great destination for multicultural women. How did you attract a large following?
Social media. I really took my time and built a plan based on the goals I had for the site and executed it. I got a degree in Communications so I know a thing or two about it.
What do you think stands out on your blog against the numerous blogs that launch daily?
The fact that we have an actual community for the bloggers, almost like a social networking site. Also, the fact that we’re trying to educate and encourage bloggers, not just gain blogging fame for ourselves.
How do you determine if you will partner with a person or brand?
I determine partnerships by how genuine the person or the brand seems and what the partnership will entail. I think it needs to benefit both parties. 
Your hair is beautiful. How do you maintain its curls?
I really feel bad every time I answer this question because I am the world’s laziest natural. I wash my hair once a week (sometimes biweekly if I’m lazy) and stretch it. That’s it. I also keep it moisturized. My routine is simple: I co-wash with whatever conditioner I have and I use either Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey or Jane Carter Solution All Natural Nourish and Shine. I do a twist out and that’s that.
What do you love about blogging and being in this space? What’s the highlight of your career thus far?
I love the people I’ve met and the opportunities it’s given me. The doors that blogging can open are endless.
What advice would you give a freshman blogger for building relationships?
Don’t approach people just for gain. Think about why you want to talk to other bloggers and focus on building relationships based on similarities and not because someone has a following. Most people can see through that.
What are the must attend blogger events of 2015?
Blogging While Brown for sure, although I didn’t get to attend. *insert sad face emoji*
You’ve accomplished so much in the digital space already, what’s next for you?
I’m going to really try to expand my personal brand over the rest of this year. I’m hoping to add video content and more style posts.
What does being an entrepreneur mean to you?
Being an entrepreneur means being free. I love making my own schedule, choosing projects that mean something to me, and having the freedom to live wherever I want with job security.
Virgo Girl’s 5 Things to Ask . . .
What would you tell your 21-year-old self?
Do what you’re doing. Be carefree. You don’t have to have a plan because life will work out.
I start my day with . . .
A kiss from my husband and a cup of coffee.
If you could invite any woman to dinner who would it be?
Oprah. I know it’s cliché but who doesn’t want to talk to her?
Best advice you’ve received?
Probably to start my own business. That advice has been priceless.
Life motto you live by . . .
We could die tomorrow so we should live today.