Meet Cassandra DeAnn VanCuren | Certified Human Design Reader and Creative Professional Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassandra DeAnn VanCuren and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassandra DeAnn, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Where to even start! Being a creative professional is hard. We produce from our hearts and there are no right or wrong labels that can be placed on the work we create. We depend on the outsiders’ eye seeing value and beauty in the things we introduce to the world. This comes with its own set of challenges. Without a secure sense of self and a balance internally, this can lead to challenges of seeking validation, comparison, anxiety and people pleasing. Paths that look more like self sacrificing and being lost in the piling “to-do lists” and chaos. After experiencing 10 years in the wedding industry, I was not only a part of this vicious cycle, but I witnessed as others struggled with the same issues. My own personal health took a huge plummet as well as watching other creatives end up in the hospital due to the body crying out for help and signaling “Enough. Is ENOUGH”. Begging for a break! Let me tell you, if you don’t listen to your body, eventually it will force you to pause. It’s a struggle that goes beyond the “career” and seeps into the mind, body, and family unit. I would follow all the best “suggestions” and business tips seeking a solution. I “automated this” and automated that. Only feeling more disconnected and still drowning. I would start to see the light at the end of the tunnel only to fall again into the abyss. You see, I believe it’s not about the career. It’s about diving deeper into the root cause. This is where we find the breakthrough. My salvation came from first pausing, then looking deeper into the behavior and seeing the patterns. Addressing my own inner limiting beliefs and lack of confidence is what transformed my business and also my life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
While I do own my business Ever After DeAnn, I consider myself an artist and creative. Perhaps even a storyteller. My hearts passion is to empower creative professionals to unleash their limitless potential by embracing their unique expression. What better way to live in your full potential, than by knowing who you are at your core? I do this with a little left brained knowledge and a little right brained passion and inspiration. I am a certified Human Design Reader and Gene Keys Guide. My extensive studies and passion for Human Design, Gene Keys and the I Ching help others explore their true inner self. Human Design teaches us that the things that come so naturally to us, the things that provide us with true joy and light us up, these are the things you were brought here to share. Human Design is a journey into self discovery and empowerment. It makes my logical mind sing and brings me great joy to share. Creatively, my life has taken me many places. A cake decorating instructor, a jewelry artist, a small craft supply company, a multi time published mixed media artist, an Esty shop owner, a published digital artist, an event coordinator, a wedding photographer, a wedding rental company and a floral designer. My path has not been linear. This is because all of these experiences into so many corners of the creative mind allow me to share my own unique knowledge and experiences. What a story to share.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We live in a small town. While Florida is known for it’s beaches, the town I’m from offers a small taste of the country. Enchanting with it’s hint of hills and elevation in comparison to what is otherwise a pretty flat state, people usually comment on how refreshing it is. My favorite times are spent simply in our back yard. Soaking in the quiet scenery and feeling the peace of nature. I love to host gatherings with beautiful flowers, conversation and fine teas. This would be a must. Also some star gazing at night is a favorite pastime. Downtown Dade City is quaint. Most places have mom and pop charm. For lunch, one of my favorite places to eat is The Farmhouse Market & Café. They work with local farms and small business to offer a variety of treats. There is a small store where you can buy produce, meat and the café has a small menu of yummy options for breakfast and lunch. Another local favorite is Del Carmen which is a delicious Mexican restaurant and store. Finally no Florida trip in my opinion is complete without the theme parks, and I personally am a big fan! Disney and visiting Universal Studios would definitely be on the itinerary.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My heart is full of gratitude for those who have held space for me over the years. My husband who has supported me even when he didn’t fully understand my passions. He always shows up. My dear friend Jenn Carroll with Jenn Carroll Photography who has been through the same struggles and my companion on this journey of self discovery and balance. My spiritual mentor Emily the Mystic whose intuitive guidance and education were perfectly divinely timed. Also those friends who while even if just for a season, contributed a part of where I am today.

Website: https://www.everafterdeann.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ever.after.deann

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everafterdeann

Image Credits
Stephanie Lanni Photography Shelby Glynn Photography