Published: September 12th, 2025
By: The Her Financial Frequency Team

When you grow up on a dairy farm in small-town Michigan, surrounded by the rhythm of hard work and scarcity, conversations about money aren’t usually gentle — if they happen at all. For Candace Sterns, those early experiences shaped how she viewed success, security, and what it means to truly build wealth as a woman.

Today, Candace is an entrepreneur, investor, and mentor who helps women preserve and grow their capital. She’s a general and limited partner in over half a billion dollars of real estate — but her path began far from boardrooms and brokerage accounts.

Learning the Hard Way: A Farm Girl’s Start

Candace’s first lessons about money weren’t from a textbook — they were from watching her parents struggle.
“Money wasn’t talked about much,” she recalls. “If it was, it was usually an argument because we didn’t have any.”

That early scarcity mindset followed her into adulthood. Even as a hardworking entrepreneur, she admits she didn’t manage money well at first because she didn’t understand its role. “I had to learn that money isn’t good or bad — it’s a tool. It’s what you do with it that matters.”

Rewriting the Money Mindset

Like many women, Candace had to unlearn the belief that saving was the only safe path.

“Women often think they have to wait until they have a certain amount saved before they can invest,” she says. “But if you just let it sit, it loses value. You need to make your money work for you — even in small ways.”

From her perspective, mindset is the foundation. She encourages women to start by understanding where their beliefs about money come from — and to challenge any narrative rooted in fear or scarcity. “You don’t have to have $10,000 to start. Take small amounts, find something you feel confident about, and invest.”

The Four Pillars of Financial Growth

Candace now guides executives and entrepreneurs through what she calls her Four Pillars — a framework that blends mindset with measurable strategy:

> Mindset & Goals – How you think about money and what you want it to do for you.

> Financial Design – The systems and investments that align with your goals.

> Relationships – Building supportive networks, both in business and personally.

> Health & Balance – Because financial wealth means little without well-being.

“I help women identify what success looks like in all areas of their life — not just in their bank accounts,” she says. “That holistic view is what keeps you aligned and growing.”

Building Wealth vs. Earning Income

When asked what money lesson she wishes every woman understood, Candace doesn’t hesitate:

“Don’t confuse income with wealth.”

True wealth, she explains, is built on assets — things that grow, compound, and create freedom. “A paycheck can disappear tomorrow. Assets like real estate, stocks, or ownership stakes can build long-term security.”

Her practical advice: keep a running list of your assets and liabilities. Revisit it often. “It’s not just about numbers — it’s about gratitude. Seeing your assets grow helps you appreciate progress and stay positive.”

From Scarcity to Abundance: The Turning Point

Candace’s financial awakening came at 28 — a year that brought marriage, a new business, and a first home. “I realized I had recreated all this financial stress for myself because I hadn’t dealt with the money story I grew up with,” she admits.

That realization led her to therapy, mentorship, and continuous coaching. “I’ve never not had a coach,” she says. “Having someone to guide you, challenge you, and keep you accountable is the best investment you can make.”

Living in Financial Frequency

Today, Candace’s success is rooted in practices that nourish both mind and money. She starts each day with prayer and meditation, and she and her husband of 30 years are even considering a “marriage wealth” podcast to share how communication and faith strengthen both their finances and relationship.

“I remind myself: I’m still breathing, I have my health, and this too shall pass,” she says. “That mindset keeps me grounded — no matter what happens financially.”

Final Takeaway: Start Where You Are

> If you’re a woman standing at the edge of your investing journey, Candace’s advice is simple:

> Start small but start now.

> Get clear on your goals and why you want to grow wealth.

> And above all, remember that financial empowerment isn’t about perfection — it’s about participation.

“Money is energy,” she says. “It flows toward clarity, confidence, and purpose. When women understand that, everything changes.”

Get in touch with Candius Stearns.

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