By Tammy Reese
Candace Dixon Ford is more than a businesswoman — she’s a force. As the founder of Ladies Love Cigars (LLC), she’s creating more than a premium cigar brand; she’s cultivating a community where women can celebrate their victories, embrace their sophistication, and take up space in an industry that wasn’t built with them in mind. Through LLC’s “Savor the Moment” movement, Candace is inviting women to indulge in life’s finest experiences without hesitation, proving that luxury, leadership, and legacy go hand in hand.
During Women’s History Month, her story is a powerful reminder that women belong everywhere.
Women in business often have to redefine success on their own terms. How has your definition of success evolved since launching Ladies Love Cigars?
When first going into Ladies Love Cigars, success was all about sales, and brand recognition. Although those things are still important, going through some different challenges has reshaped my understanding of success. Trying to navigate a male-dominated market has taught me the importance of resilience and advocacy. This has led me to define my success as creating a supportive network for other women in the cigar industry. Success means inspiring others to pursue their passions, creating a space for cigar enthusiasts, and advocating for representation in the industry. My definition of success has grown and shifted over time, making it relatable and inspiring to others.
What’s a misconception about being a female entrepreneur that you’ve personally shattered?
There is a misconception that female entrepreneurs might not be as committed to their businesses, especially if they have children. This overlooks the dedication and hard work that many women put into their ventures. Many female entrepreneurs are primary caregivers, which means we have to balance the demand of running a business with parenting and household responsibilities. I have personally shattered this misconception. Successfully launching and growing LLC Cigars, showcases my commitment and dedication. My ability to manage a business while balancing family responsibilities speaks volumes about my work ethic and determination. This juggling act requires me to have exceptional time management, prioritization, and resilience. My efforts in building a community around the LLC Cigar brand is very important to me. By fostering connections with other women and supporting their journeys in the cigar industry I can pave the way for a greater understanding and support for women in the cigar world. The perception of reduced commitment fails to recognize the multifaceted lives that female entrepreneurs lead, so we as women have to shatter all those misconceptions through various actions and achievements.
Women’s History Month is about honoring those who pave the way. How do you hope Ladies Love Cigars leaves a lasting imprint for future generations of women in business?
By establishing Ladies Love Cigars, I am creating a brand that represents and celebrates women in an industry that often overlooks them. This representation can inspire future generations of women to pursue their interests and passions, knowing that they have a place in any field they choose. Having Ladies Love Cigars connect aspiring female entrepreneurs with experienced women in business. By sharing knowledge and offering guidance, LLC can help nurture the next generation of women leaders and entrepreneurs.
What’s been the most powerful moment in your journey where you truly felt the impact of what you’re building?
A powerful moment in my journey happened when a customer gave a heartfelt testimonial on how they enjoyed the cigars but was watching my journey from the start of my cigar line as well. She was a new cigar smoker and was motivated on how I was making noise in the cigar industry. She observed my growth as an entrepreneur and realized that she, too, could pursue her dreams of becoming a business owner. Her newfound belief in herself was a powerful reminder of the impact that sharing my story can have on others.
As a leader in a luxury industry, how do you balance the weight of expectation with the freedom of innovation?
I am able to balance both through collaborations and partnerships. Collaborations with other brands that share my values. These partnerships can infuse new ideas into my brand while maintaining a sense of luxury and exclusivity. These collaborations can enhance perceptions of quality, creativity, and exclusivity, reinforcing my position in the luxury market. These partnerships can not only enhance my product offerings but also create a richer more engaging brand experience for my customers.
What advice would you give to women who want to break into industries that weren’t necessarily designed with them in mind?
I would tell women to thoroughly understand the business you want to go into. Understand the history, know the key players, and know the current trends of the business. Learning those things will help you build confidence and expertise. Seek out a mentor in that field, they can give you support and guidance as well, sometimes they can open doors to new opportunities. When looking for those mentors look for ones who can offer advice, share their experiences, and help you navigate challenges. Make sure to network strategically, don’t just be around anybody who say this and that, do your research. Seek out both male and female allies who can provide support and guidance. Always stay true to yourself and your brand. Create a brand that reflects your values, expertise, and unique perspective. And the main thing is to collaborate and support others. Find relationships with other women in the industry. Collaboration can lead to shared opportunities and a supportive community that empowers everyone involved.
How has your personal identity as a woman shaped the way you do business, from decision-making to leadership style?
Me embracing my identity is key, this allows me to lead with authenticity and vulnerability. Sharing my personal journey and challenges creates a connection with my team and customers, fostering trust and loyalty. Staying true to who I am influences how I navigate and challenge stereotypes in the business world. By breaking barriers and defying expectations, I can serve as a role model for others and contribute to changing perceptions about women in leadership roles.
Women often juggle multiple roles — entrepreneur, wife, friend, and more. How do you protect your time and energy while leading with purpose?
Protecting my time and energy while leading with purpose, especially as a woman juggling multiple roles requires me to be intentional with my priorities. I have to prioritize all of my tasks and determine which ones are most important. This allows me to focus on what truly matters and which things are less critical so that I can have balance and flexibility without feeling overwhelmed. I have to practice self-care to maintain my physical, emotional, and mental well-being. I exercise regularly, take time to myself, sit on my patio to smoke a cigar and reflect. I make it a point to schedule downtime for relaxation and rejuvenation. Another important thing is that I have a great support network of family, and friends. I surround myself with people who can understand my challenges who will provide encouragement and support when needed. These things protect my tie and energy while effectively balancing my roles as an entrepreneur, mother, wife, and friend. Leading with purpose becomes more manageable for me when I prioritize self-care while aligning my activities with my values and goals.
If you could leave behind one universal “business law” for future women entrepreneurs, what would it be?
If I could leave behind one universal “business law” for women entering into the business world it would be “Embrace your Authenticity and Use It as Your Superpower.” This encourages women to fully embrace their unique identities, experiences, and perspectives. By being true to themselves, they can navigate the business landscape with confidence and clarity. This serves as a reminder that each of us has a unique journey in the business world. By embracing their own authenticity, future women entrepreneurs can pave the way for innovation, collaboration, and positive change in whatever industry they are in.
Learn more by visiting https://llcigars.com/
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