Kandi Burruss is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur from Atlanta who built a diversified business empire after learning early from her mother not to rely on a single income stream. Beyond her nearly three-decade music career and 14 seasons on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, she has built a portfolio that includes a multimedia agency, an adult lifestyle brand (Bedroom Kandi), a cosmetics line, restaurants (Old Lady Gang), and apparel boutiques.

Her business philosophy is rooted in family, faith, and female empowerment. Family is literally embedded in her ventures — her mom and aunts run her restaurants — and her Bedroom Kandi brand was built around empowering women, particularly in the Black community, to embrace their sexuality and financial independence. Her foundation, Kandi Cares, supports single parents and their children.

Key principles she lives by: diversify early, only launch businesses you're genuinely passionate about, and build for longevity beyond any single platform or moment of fame.