Meet Chriss Starchild

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chriss Starchild. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chriss below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Chriss with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

My work ethic comes from my mother. Growing up there was a stereotype that Jamaicans had multiple jobs. Well that was true in our household! As long as I can remember my mother has always worked two jobs, yet she never cut corners or let exhaustion show. Watching her taught me that real integrity means giving your best, and providing quality work, no matter how much is on your plate. I embody this and it carried over into my own personal work ethic.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m the founder of Everything Chriss, a scent-based studio where I create candles, incense, and perfumes that bring warmth, stillness, and intention into everyday spaces. My work is inspired by heritage, memory, and the quiet beauty of handcrafted details. Every blend tells a story.

What excites me most is creating pieces that feel deeply personal yet universal, scents that connect people to a feeling, a place, or a moment of calm. I’m hands-on with every part of the process, from blending to pouring, because I believe you can feel when something is made with care.

Along with my own collections, I also create signature scents for other small businesses who want to capture their story through fragrance. It’s a creative collaboration that allows me to translate their brand’s essence into scent.

Right now, I’m focused on collaborations with complementary businesses that reflect the spirit of Everything Chriss: grounded, soulful, and quietly luxurious.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that have shaped my journey the most are consistency, intuition, and craftsmanship.

Consistency taught me patience and perseverance. It means showing up even when you’re tired, and doing the work anyway. In candle making, that looks like endless wick testing until the burn is just right, or refining a formula so every product smells exactly the same for the customer. Those small, repetitive moments build trust and integrity over time.

Intuition has guided almost every creative decision I’ve made. I’m self-trained and I’ve learned to go by my nose and what feels right. Fragrance isn’t something you can always measure. It’s something you sense. The more you trust that inner voice, the more naturally your work will align with your purpose.

Craftsmanship reminds me that quality is the foundation of everything. It’s about continuous learning and improvement, never assuming you’ve mastered it all. My Jamaican upbringing taught me to take pride in the details and to never compromise the integrity of the work, no matter how busy things get.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to stay consistent, trust yourself, and keep learning. Those three things will take you further than you imagine.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I start to feel overwhelmed, I’ve learned to pause and be honest about what I can handle. The first thing I do is delegate or outsource where I can. It’s not always easy to let go, but allowing others to help keeps things moving without burning myself out.

I also make it a point to talk to someone. Whether it’s a friend, another small business owner, or a family member. Sometimes just saying things out loud brings clarity and reminds me I’m not alone in it.

And finally, I rest. I’ve learned that stepping away doesn’t mean you’re falling behind; it actually gives you the space to come back with fresh energy and perspective. Sometimes that is as simple as going to bed early, and waking up early the next day and try again.

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