The Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce announced its the Top Five Young Leaders to Watch, which included Candace Bowen, Bayou Title, Inc.; LaToya Houston, Quality Care at Home, LLC; Sarah McKinnie, Origin Bank; Oliver Neal, Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix & Hixson, Inc.; and Phillip Smart, City of Ruston.
Over the next few days, the Lincoln Parish Journal will feature these individuals and their contributions to our parish.
Candace Bowen with Bayou Title said she was having a rough morning when Judy Copeland, outgoing Chamber president called with the recognition announcement.
“She said, ‘I bet I can make you smile,’ and she absolutely did,” Bowen said. “I told her that she made my whole week.”
Bowen said she puts 100 percent into everything she does with her work.
“My work is personal to me; my work product and the people I serve are all important to me,” she said. “My hope is that everyone who walks through Bayou’s doors feels welcomed and important. I like giving to people. This award is important because I feel like this is my business community passing along that spirit of hospitality in full circle back to me.”
Bowen, a Louisiana Tech and Mississippi College School of Law graduate, said people who want to make a difference in the community need to take risks.
“I will say that hard work is always a given,” she said. “You cannot be afraid of taking some risks, working longer hours, or missing a vacation. But, by the same token, you don’t have to climb the mountain every single day. Taking a breather to relax and write down your visions of what you want your future business to look like are important too.”
Bowen has been married to her husband, Nathan, for 12 years and they have two children: Beaux Lauren and Fox Mack. She said part of the reason she and Nathan have made their home here is because of the atmosphere.
“Lincoln Parish is a place where your business can be in direct competition with another business and yet you can call on your competitor for advice,” Bowen said. “Where else in the world can you do that? This place is special. Ray Madden is living proof of the preciousness of this community. Bayou Title is technically his competition and yet he always takes time for my calls and my questions. Being a business competitor in Lincoln Parish isn’t a threat, it’s a blessing, and that makes Lincoln Parish stand out.”
