Photo credit: Robert Silver Photography

"And she woke up and remembered who she was." This wasn't just a moment of clarity for Sandy Rancatore. It was her reawakening, a defining pivot that would see her charting a new course in a male-dominated industry. As the founder of "Stang Life by Beauty and the Stang," Sandy has merged the seemingly incongruous worlds of beauty and car culture into a brand that stands for women’s empowerment, brains, class and beauty. In so doing, she is breaking barriers and reminding women of their indomitable strength and limitless potential.

Sandy’s journey was anything but conventional. Born in Los Angeles to Caribbean parents, Sandy's life has been a fascinating journey of self-discovery and relentless pursuit of dreams. Despite an early passion for modeling, she honored her parents' wishes, prioritizing academia. However, the flame of her aspirations never flickered out, even as she navigated the worlds of marriage, motherhood, and a career in real estate and asset management.

Yet, the road was not always smooth. After the birth of her second child, Sandy encountered a phase where her motivation seemed to be drifting away. It was during these reflective moments that she stumbled upon a realization that would become her driving force. "And she woke up and remembered who she was," recounts Sandy. She wasn't just a mother, wife, or entrepreneur. She was a woman capable of reshaping her destiny.

Photo credit: Shots by Dre Images

This epiphany catalyzed Sandy's return to modeling. She continued with her real estate ventures while juggling family responsibilities with professional ambitions. Sandy's entrepreneurial spirit was rekindled as she took a deep dive into academia again, studying entrepreneurship and business. This was during a time when she was raising her second child and laying the groundwork for several thriving enterprises. However, life presented yet another twist with her third pregnancy, challenging her resilience and commitment to her dreams yet again.

Motivated by one of her favorite mantras, "As a woman, our natural gift is strength beyond limits," Sandy dug deep and persevered. Now a mother of three, she adopted an even more rigorous approach to modeling, confident in her strength to balance both her personal and professional worlds.

Photo credit: Robert Silver Photography

And with her newfound confidence, she took her boldest step yet, entering the male-dominated world of car culture. "I chose this career because, simply put, it’s a form of art. I love being out of the box and pushing out the standard," she asserts. Her brand, Stang Life, isn't just a nod to her love for cars. It’s a challenge to societal norms, a testament that women can lead and excel in industries in which they are seldom seen.

Her new Stang Life merchandise line is a celebration of this ethos. It's for the woman who understands that her place isn’t defined by societal expectations but rather it is whatever, wherever she deems her place to be.

Sandy Rancatore’s success as founder of Stang Life by Beauty and the Stang underscores a vital narrative. Women’s empowerment isn’t a gift bestowed upon them by society. It’s a birthright, a natural strength that withstands the tides of doubt, bias, and restriction. By pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms, she not only carves out a space for women in male-dominated businesses but also inspires them to awaken their inherent strength and remember who they are - conquerors, innovators, and trailblazers.