She remembers the church sermon to this day. Candace Cox-Wimberley was 12 years old when she heard her pastor declare, “We've got entrepreneurs here!” She doesn't know if anyone else was paying attention that Sunday, but she took those words and ran with them.

By the time she graduated college, Candace had started walking in what she calls “the entrepreneurial path” as a consultant.

Candace remembers being inspired by other entrepreneurs. One, in particular, was her great aunt, one of the first female demolition contractors in Detroit, who also owned a neighborhood store in the city. Candace hasn't forgotten how empowering it was to walk into the well-run shop that was engaged in serving the local community.

"She was breaking pathways in male-dominated industries 20 years ago; that was big stuff," Candace said with pride, recalling how her uncles have also run their businesses using their passion to help people through building and construction.

As CEO of I am a Genius, Candace believes that successes are meant to be shared. She has been a featured guest on national television and radio outlets, including PBS.

Candace, shown in the picture wearing her trademark tee-shirt against the backdrop of a famous Detroit landmark, is becoming a sought-after resource for schools, colleges, and universities.

"I Am A Genius (IAG) is a lifestyle retail line designed with function and sustainable, high-quality fashion for women, men, and children," Candace said. "Our mission is to inspire and awaken the Genius inside of everyone through fashion while helping develop communities. A unique advantage of IAG is that a portion of all purchases supports the 'She’s A Genius' nonprofit mentorship a program which empowers girls and young women with (1) advocacy higher education, (2) social change of student loan debt, and (3) and support for single-parent household families.

"She's a Genius provides girls with exposure to science, technology, engineering, the Arts, and math (STEAM) careers, with an emphasis on arts and entrepreneurship," Candace explained.

Candace is also an award-winning author of the transformative book, ‘I Am A Genius Career Journal’ and works within the community. She also speaks to global audiences, in Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica. The I Am A Genius Career Journal helps people build workforce skills, explore career options, set goals, and explore entrepreneurship. This book supports the young and not-so-young who want to discover their passion, deepen their leadership skills, further their purpose, pivot into another career or embark on the first step in their professional journey.

"In my educational and professional journey, I am proud to have worked with large organizations in my hometown, including the Detroit Institute of Art and Michigan Science Center," she said. "As well as Michigan State University & University of Michigan, two of my collegiate alma maters. I do hope to work with my high school alma mater, Cass Tech, one day soon!"

Cass Technical High School works to ensure all students, especially those furthest from opportunity, have the knowledge and skills to thrive in the global economy of the 21st century. After high school at Cass, Candace entered Michigan State University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in global humanities.

During college, Candace worked as a team coordinator at the Michigan State University Office of Cultural Transitions for three years, in charge of cultural, social, and academic activity programming for students within residence halls. She also mentored 45-100 different students during each academic year. Other experiences include working as a head mentor at the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP), a nonprofit organization that connects youth to the best STEM educational experiences.

In 2012, Candace launched a college prep company, which provides programs and educational advising to middle and high school students, to deliver work readiness training and career coaching, organize educational programs and community partnerships, and advise students in the selection of majors, minors, concentrations, and basic courses. Many of the students Candace has been able to provide guidance and support to have gone on to become professional engineers, lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs, computer scientists, and more.

Straight out of college, Candace landed a job as a District & Constituent Director in the Michigan House of Representatives. She oversaw economic development projects for a district in the City of Detroit, served as a liaison for state departments, lobbyists, business and labor organizations, interest groups, and administered and formulated office operations and office budget.

In Candace's portfolio of work, she has served as a regional director of innovation and strategic development consultant to a range of small businesses and large companies. Some of these have included the national organizations like United Way, before joining the Ford Motor Company as Total Value Management Analyst & Facilitator of Global Cost Innovation.

A day in Candace's work life at Ford involved outlining business cases for new product development and product improvements, coordinating with all levels of the organization for the establishment and management of corporate innovation and portfolio growth, and imparting analytical support and technical expertise.

When she spoke to Career Communications Group (CCG) on Oct. 18, she remembered how motivated she was at CCG's 24th Annual Women of Color in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Conference, which took place in Detroit earlier in the month. She was so glad to be a part!

• Make time for MENTAL HEALTH

Maintain daily rituals like expressing gratitude, doing yoga, or meditation. These habits support a healthy mental state, which essentially helps build healthy build confidence, self-esteem, and motivation.

• Draw out a plan for what you want to do in life.

Write it down like I did when I was 12-years old. You won't have all the answers, but in time it will come together. Don't place limitations on yourself, the how and when will come later.

• Be true to THYSELF.

Being intentional and "present" throughout life is critical. Take time to learn yourself, and remember you are a Genius. You have everything you need within you.

• Continue to further your education.

It doesn't mean you have to get a four-year degree. Whether it's going to a trade school or getting a Ph.D., keep your skills sharpened so you can be the best at what you were created to do.

• Give back, give back, give back.

Someone helped you get to where you are, and you must do the same for someone else.