The Power of Gratitude in Overcoming Life’s Challenges with Kandas Rodarte

In this episode, host Amy Stone welcomes Kandas Rodarte to discuss the path that led Kandas to launch a coaching business after being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at age 44. Together, they explore Kandas’s journey from custom furniture entrepreneurship to becoming the “Gratitude Geek,” focusing on resilience, gratitude, and empowering women to change the world through business ownership.About the Guest:Kandas Rodarte is a productivity coach for micropreneurs and the host of the Gratitude Geek Podcast, ranked #1 in sales and marketing on GoodPods. After being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, she embraced gratitude as a daily practice and turned her experience into a mission to help solopreneurs build lasting relationships while growing their businesses. Through her group coaching program, Robusta, Small Business Percolator, she provides a supportive space for female solopreneurs to brainstorm, learn, and thrive. Kandas believes success comes from authentic connections, strategic marketing, and a strong support network.Main Topics Covered:Kandas’s move from California to Michigan and her love of crochetThe life-changing discovery of her cancer diagnosis, how she found her doctor, and the role of Herceptin in her journeyTransitioning from custom high-end furniture business to coaching women entrepreneursThe power of gratitude—how Kandas integrated it into her brand and life, and practical tips for practicing gratitude, even on tough daysThe importance of imperfect adulting and representing real, authentic livesKandas’s group coaching program for women over 40 and her mission to help women change the world through business ownershipFun side topics: favorite books, memorable gifts, and living with intentionQuote from the Episode:“I think that women need to own businesses because we really can change the world and we can make it better for everybody, including men. Men will be better off if women owned more businesses.” — Kandas RodarteTimestamps:00:00 – Introductions, getting off-topic, and Michigan living02:46 – Hobbies, passion for crochet, and yarn shop woes05:59 – Transition to today’s topic: Cancer diagnosis and launching a business06:19 – How a breakthrough drug’s history changed Kandas’s prognosis08:09 – The discovery of her breast cancer and life before diagnosis13:17 – Kandas’s career as a custom furniture entrepreneur16:50 – Childhood dreams, paleontology, and family connections20:25 – What metastatic cancer means21:43 – Choosing coaching after diagnosis and early online business communities27:10 – Women, business, and why Kandas believes in changing the world31:34 – Gratitude: before and after cancer diagnosis36:16 – Honest talk about practicing gratitude, even when it’s hard41:00 – Details on Kandas’s coaching program and where to find her43:38 – Rapid-fire questions: color, favorite gift, and beloved booksOffer from the guest: You can connect with Kandas at www.kandasrodarte.com where you will find a 5-day gratitude journal. Note from the host: if you have trouble collecting or redeeming a guest offer - please contact the guest directly. Thank you for tuning into The Art of Imperfect Adulting! Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing. Never Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.Why subscribe?Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch the highlights even when you don't have time to listenAre you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guestHere are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofjFor Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stonebefore that I used Kit. Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors