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Phoenix and Dragon Staff Biographies
Candace
Gemini
Owner/Founder
“I believe anything is possible, if you follow your dream,” declares Candace, the owner, founder, and chief miracle-generator at Phoenix and Dragon. A business leader in both her neighborhood as well as the national metaphysical community, Candace built Phoenix and Dragon from a vision in 1987 to what is today one of the nation’s largest and most-loved centers for healing and spirituality.
After a decade working in the field of Community Mental Health, she became interested in metaphysics while working at the Atlanta Penitentiary. In that challenging setting, she learned about the power of prayer and the loving protection available to those who trust in Divine miracles. After being immersed in the world of metaphysical publishing while working at New Leaf, a major new age wholesaler, she received a full-blown vision of a store on a hill full of light. Within seven months the vision had become a reality.
Candace—who had never before even run a cash register!—embarked on a life-changing project dedicated not merely to merchandising new age products, but to serving the community, supporting peace and diversity work, and fostering healing through art, culture, and spirituality. From the beginning, her intention has been to create a setting where the space is as important and as healing as the products sold within it.
“My greatest blessing is being a witness to the multitude of miracles in my and other peoples’ lives. And my greatest joy is sharing peoples’ journeys as they explore their path, their joys and their challenges, their growth and exploration.” As time passes, she has been able to truly see the fruits of this work. For example, a high school student who came into the store in the early years and discovered the writings of Christiane Northrup is now a medical doctor who utilizes holistic and alternative practices.Over the past 17 years, we have watched a network of customers grow into a vibrant multi-dimensional community.
In addition to “keeping all the balls in the air” at the store, Candace loves dance, especially Cajun and folk dancing, and has traveled to the Czech Republic with American contra dancers. Like many of the store’s customers and employees, Candace has a special love for crystals. She freely admits, “I’ve played with rocks since I was four years old.” She is a founding board member of the Sandy Springs Business Association, and continues to donate time and energy to a variety of community service projects both locally and globally.
Amber and Sage
Honorary Leos
Rulers of all They See
Our description of the staff at Phoenix and Dragon would not be complete without a profile of two important customer relations experts, Amber and Sage. Dedicating long hours to playing and attention-gathering, they have lived on-site since 1997. Because they are rescued kittens, we do not know their actual birthdays, but few would question their right to be seen as true Leos!
Amber, our female kitty, has beautiful tortoise colored fur and flashing green eyes. Her name comes from her favorite napping locale—on the jewelry counter, directly above the amber merchandise! Like many “torties” Amber is both sensitive and moody.She prefers to let you know whether or not she can be pet, and she appreciates your respect in keeping children at a comfortable distance.
Sage is an all-black, velvet-furred heartbreaker. He shares his sisters’ warm green eyes, and has a sweet expression that can make you melt when he looks at you. Highly aware of his territory, Sage will inform you if something looks out-of-place!
Michele
Book Buyer
Sagittarius
Bringing power and action into our midst, Michele draws on the experience of a seasoned General Manager in the restaurant industry. A veteran from the original Phoenix and Dragon location, she returns to us after an intense chapter in her life.
As our Book Buyer, she is exposed to the latest trends and upcoming titles in the metaphysical community. “As part of my job, I attend events like the International New Age Trade Show held each year in Colorado, to interact with authors and find out what the upcoming year will bring.” Meeting various authors has been a strong benefit in Michele’s career as a Book Buyer. “It’s been an advantage. I get to hear authors speak and find out a bit more about their motivations, and perspectives. It helps to put a new dimension into their material for me. I try to share that with customers and other staff members.”
She recommends Phoenix and Dragon because “no matter who you are or what your interests are, there is something that will strike a chord in you and help you understand more about your nature. We all have a lot of questions.”
Rob
Leo
Budding Entrepreneur and Landscaper Extraordinaire
Affectionately known as the Phoenix and Dragon’s “Philosopher Cynic in Residence”, Rob (who is also Candace’s son) is enjoying a life of adventure. Among other pursuits, he has served in the Peace Corps in Jamaica from 2000 to 2002, went to graduate school in Urban Planning, and more recently spent six months in 2004 hiking the entire Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.
Best known for his dry wit, Rob worked as a regular staff member at the store from 1987 to 1997, and still makes an occasional “guest appearance.” At the age of 12, Rob invested $300 from his Piggy Bank to begin the children’s section of the store—an investment that has left the legacy of one of most magical and fanciful departments of the store to this day. As a young self-starter, Rob took it upon himself to read the instruction manual for the store’s first cash register; he immediately put his new-found knowledge to practical use, by training his mom on how to run the thing!
Rob designed and created the store’s Healing Meditation Garden found in the courtyard, and in 1996 built the deck and Koi pond, and is involved in regularly maintaining and updating it. His childhood experiences with his Russian Teddy Bear became the inspiration of the Peace Dream Bear Project that he and Candace shared with children in Soviet Georgia in 1989.
Steve
Sales Associate/Ad Designer
After being involved in many diverse roles at Phoenix and Dragon since 2000, Steve now works here part-time while fulfilling his goal as a full-time freelance designer. Prior to his employment here, he graduated from FSU in Creative Writing, and from Portfolio Center as a professional graphic designer. He also has a background in New Age Retail, starting in Tallahassee.
Steve delves into the alternative archaeology section whenever possible. He enjoys the speculative nature of these texts, less restrained by academic obligations, they can oftentimes raise some really interesting thoughts about the origins of civilization. Steve is comfortable at the end of the day when he feels that he's really satisfied customer inquiries, and made sure folks leave happier than when they arrived.
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