Today we’d like to introduce you to Candy Marx.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
Thank you so much for having me! My background was in fashion footwear design, and as a long-term vegetarian, I began exploring veganism. This is when I truly understood how detrimental the leather production and commercial egg and dairy industries are. From there, I rebranded my footwear label accordingly, while I moved towards veganism. I adopted a vegan wholefoods diet, which is when I experienced and understood the health benefits of going plant-based. I’ve always had an interest in wellness, animal welfare and conservation, so while my label was rebranding, I started studying. I studied Shark Biology and Marine Science. And then Master Herbalism, Nutrition and Immunology to become a Holistic Health Practitioner. I then released Plantfed Mana, which is an organic and wildcrafted herbal vegan wholefoods supplement brand. And I wrote my first book, Plantfed Mama, which is a vegan literary cookbook to help mama’s nourish themselves, their unborn child and adopt holistic vegan practices.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
Being a mama of two, I’ve definitely found it challenging to work while having kids. I don’t have any family in my area, they all moved away so not having any help on that front is definitely tough. I had just given birth to my youngest when my publisher was chasing up the manuscript for my first book, so I never really had that downtime with my newborn – and was extremely exhausted. Also with the covid pandemics, my industry was busier than usual and my eldest had to homeschool, so it was like having three full time jobs all at once: mama/housewife, herbalist/running the business, and school tutor. And I also Mentor quite a few people as well. I just focused on being grateful for being busier while others had to close completely. That’s what got me through.
While I was rebranding my footwear label, I also had to forfeit sales. Because I was in fashion, we design two seasons ahead of time, so because there were no new designs, I had no new shoes to sell. I definitely learned how to operate on a shoe-string budget .
But for the most part, especially with being an author and an entrepreneur with a product line, I have to be resilient. Rejection is a huge part of these industries, so learning how to keep going when we are rejected by a publisher, a literary agent, or a distributor or store, is key. More people say no far more times
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
One of my strengths is holistic health. I’m not into band-aid fixes and just treating symptoms – I get to the root cause and treat it holistically: physically, mentally and spiritually. I have had many clients come to me with severe ailments and autoimmune issues that their doctors and specialists couldn’t help them with. With my assistance, I have been able to help my clients holistically heal. The body is a powerful vessel and when given the right environment, the body will heal.
Moreover, something inside my clients change as well. They begin to understand how much food and their lifestyles effect their health, and how important it is to be in nature. Their minds shift and open and they live differently—for the better—after working with me.
The majority of my customers that purchase Plantfed Mana herbs are also return customers. And many customers are international. Asides from Australia, the USA is where the majority of our orders come from. This alone, speaks volumes. It’s a massive compliment!
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
Follow your heart, always. Do what comes naturally to you, what you love, and you will succeed. It’s easy to get caught up in a high-paying job that you don’t necessarily love, or get caught up in profit margins. But if you aren’t feeding your soul with what you do, the hype will turn to stress and unhappiness, eventually.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
For me, success is happiness. And trying to make a difference while doing what I love.
What’s next for you?
I’m releasing my next book, Plantfed Champions: The Collective Plant-based Cookbook, which is the world’s first collective vegan cookbook, featuring favourite recipes from celebrity vegans and plant-based advocates. All profits from book sales are being donated to International Anti-Poaching Foundation – which is such a fantastic charity. They protect African wildlife from poachers, while also empowering the local communities and the Akashinga Women. Look them up! I love synergy and working with others for the greater good, and this book is a great example. Humanity is absolutely beautiful and capable of so much when we unite and work together.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
I’m mostly active on Instagram @plantfedmama, same tag for Facebook, or at www.plantfedmana.com