We’re looking forward to introducing you to Chairite Johnson-Smith. Check out our conversation below.
Chairite, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
As a mother, wife, & entrepreneur my mornings can look different but on most days I wake up an hour before my son so that I can actually wake up fully and enjoy my coffee, plan my day out. That sort of thing. Then I get my son ready for school and get him out of the house. Before it’s time to get to business.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! My name is Chairite. I am a Bay Area based jewelry designer. I have always enjoyed manipulating metals into wearable art. So much that I started Clihpd. A unique, handmade, custom jewelry brand & company. I love doing custom one of a kind pieces but I also release small batch collections 2-3x a year. My motto is “Everything in Life is an Accessory” so why not start with your jewelry.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
This may sound silly but my relationship with my child. Being a parent has shaped not only how I view myself but the world honestly. Being his mother has taught me that perfection, like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Kids have a way at looking at things so simply. Meanwhile as a adults, we tend to complicate things. I can look at something I created and hate it but my son can come tell me how much he loves it and I can imagine it through a different lense. So no matter what, I just gotta do the thing. My relationship with my son has taught me that I am stronger than I ever thought I was. And that I am more creative and patient that I ever thought I could be.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I literally give up twice a week! For me the key is to try and get over that. Growing up I was scared of everything. When I say scared I mean I had a fear of embarrassment and/or failing (public ally) so I never put my all into a task just so that if it didn’t work I could say “well I wasn’t even trying, so whatever” … that thought process held me back from so much. And at some point I just told myself that I am capable of more than I applying myself to do.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Very much so… I’ve done a lot of work to be comfortable with who I am. Though the public doesn’t need to know every aspect of my life, what they do see is what they get. It’s important for me to be authentic in who I am. I WILL say that there are softer or harder versions of me but that definitely has to do with circumstance and surroundings.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
Honestly… when I’m by myself. I don’t know if that sounds selfish or not but for me it’s something I need. It’s the reason that I wake up an hour before my household. I find it hard to pour into others before taking care of my needs. I’m at peace when I’m able to plan out whatever is supposed to happen. Does that make sense?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.Clihpd.com
- Instagram: Clihpd
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