Intelligent, talented, hardworking, and gorgeous are just some of the adjectives which can be used to describe Candasy Layne Thornhill, 31, who has been making enormous strides as a business owner, flight attendant, author, and vlogger.
As one of the writers whose inspirational short story is featured in H.E.R Story Anthology – Healed, Empowered, Resilient, an Amazon publication compiled by Carolyn Wilson, Candasy will launch the book in Guyana next month. At the private launch it is expected that there will be a panel of women discussing various topics.
In an interview with The Scene, Candasy explained that the book includes 25 women from different parts of the globe sharing their stories.
Candasy, who hails from Georgetown, said her first job was as a bank employee. However, after some time she became a flight attendant – a career she holds near and dear to her heart.
Candasy, who has been a certified flight attendant since 2014, said the experience so far has been an “amazing one.”
According to her, while it can sometimes become challenging she looks at the plus side of it – an opportunity to experience different countries and cultures. “It’s rewarding,” she noted.
She pointed out that one of the stigmas attached to it is that of being a “fancy waitress in the air,” but stressed that it is much more than that. According to her, flight attendants are sometimes tasked with being nurses, teachers, and overall caretakers in the air.
“I consider it very seriously. It comes with a lot of focus and determination,” she stated.
In 2018, due to unforeseen circumstances, she stepped away from being a flight attendant. However, this did not discourage her from travelling, which she continued to do with every opportunity she got, ultimately inspiring her to start a YouTube channel “Dream Travel Write”, where she vlogs all her experiences.
Candasy also owns C&K Home Décor, which, in October, will be celebrating two years since opening. The business offers high-end décor and accent pieces to customers and she said she was excited to bring some “rare finds” to Guyana’s marketplace.
Starting a business is no easy task and Candasy had her concerns as she explained that she was worried whether locals would be interested in the items, but to her surprise, her ever-growing customer base remains loyal.
After meeting a customer who turned out to be an airline executive, Candasy has returned to being a flight attendant.
C&K Home Décor is located on the ground floor of the Guyana Post Office and also at booth number 6 outside. The business can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.
Meanwhile, vlogging is something Candasy also enjoys. She said that during the shutdowns forced by the COVID-19 pandemic she decided to share her life and travel via social media, and it was also a good opportunity to document her journey. Her Youtube channel has almost 2,000 subscribers.
With so much on her plate, Candasy also tries her best to find time for herself – an important aspect of remaining focused. She said she has days when she shuts off her devices and turns her attention to self-care.
She also spoke of her supportive husband and family, stressing that they come first in everything.
She advised people to always believe in themselves and they would become unstoppable. “Believing in yourself is a strong tool… I would tell everybody to do something and believe you can, and nothing would stop you from achieving it,” she stressed.
As Candasy continues her journey, it will be exciting to see which pond she’ll dip her toes into next.