Meet Candice Zundel | Mom, VP of Production, Advisor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Candice Zundel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Candice, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
With three little girls (two year old twins and a four year old), I try, like everyone else, to impact how they grow up to be empowered, independent, strong, and kind people. I’m also a full time working mom helping run a production studio so the sheer effort it takes to balance work and life can make even my best intentions come to a grinding halt. Frustration, exhaustion and self-doubt rear their stress-filled heads more than I would like. I’ve learned a ton of lessons about raising kids and taken what works at the moment. One thing that has stuck with me as a guidepost for my sanity and success is to also be a bit selfish.

You’ve heard it every time you fly “…..Please be sure to secure your own mask before assisting others.” What’s true for oxygen masks is true even if you’re not flying during a worse-case scenario. If i’m going to try to be the best parent I can be for my little girl gang, it starts with taking take of myself.

It got to the point a few months ago where I had to admit to myself that i was burned out and needed time to come back up for air. I was lucky enough to step away from work, have some time and gain some perspective. The work will always be there, the to-do list will never end, but my kids are only this age once and they need me to at the best version of myself. Taking the time to do whatever it is that makes you feel whole, calm and present is one of the most important things I can do as a parent, as I know that will have the biggest impact on my kids.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a Swiss army knife. After trying very rewarding non-profit work, it was more of a fluke to have gotten into the creative world of advertising. Even then I didn’t stay in one lane. I tried on many hats, pivoting to new opportunities based on my strengths, the type of work i liked doing or new things I wanted to try. It wasn’t always the easy path, to keep shifting, learning, adapting and often feeling like a beginner again, but it’s given me the chance to explore so many more aspects of what’s possible for career and for myself

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m giving a Shoutout to my 96 year old grandmother Gizella, who escaped Budapest, Hungary during the 1956 Russian Revolution with her 8 year old daughter (my mom) in tow. Her courage and resilience has inspired me my entire life and I wouldn’t be who I am today without her love, and never-ending guidance.

Image Credits
Krescent Carasso – the black and white photo Capital Art – red carpet production